Tyler Motte to New York Rangers for 2023 fourth-round pick: C
The only trade from deadline day saw the Canucks move out a player that had to be traded.
Tyler Motte was traded to the New York Rangers for a fourth-round pick in 2023 just minutes before noon on Monday. The return does seem underwhelming considering that other bottom-six players like Johan Larsson and Nick Deslauriers have gone for higher picks. But it was better than nothing for Motte. Plus, Motte’s career-high is 16 points so it’s not like he was going to go for a lot anyway.
Motte is due for a big raise this summer and it is better for the Canucks to get something back instead of overpaying him or letting him walk for nothing.
The reason I’m giving this trade a C is that I expected more of a return but at least they got a draft pick. It is what it is.
Trade deadline grade: B
So only three trades before the deadline for the Canucks. The moves weren’t mind-blowing by any means.
The Canucks did get draft picks, freed up some cap space and a 25-year-old left-handed defenceman who can play both sides. It’s not great ,but it is a good start for the new management group.
“Our vision and our goal is more than just the next couple of weeks,” said Allvin to the media after the deadline passed. “We want to create some cap space. We want to get younger.”
This year’s trade deadline for the Canucks is hopefully a small step towards turning the ship from the playoff bubble sea to the contending sea. Of course, they still have a long way to go. If you are disappointed the Canucks didn’t make big moves on before noon on Monday, wait until the offseason because that’s where the real fun begins.