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Five young right-handed defencemen the Canucks could target in a trade

By Joshua Rey |
May 3, 2022; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Braden Schneider (45) passes the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period in game one of the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
May 3, 2022; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Braden Schneider (45) passes the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period in game one of the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
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The Vancouver Canucks are heading into their first offseason with President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Patrik Allvin at the helm.

The former Pittsburgh Penguins executives are looking to be busy in the summer. They want to fill up the prospect cupboards, create cap space and of course, get the team closer to contention.

“We’d like to see our team play a more structured game, and not depend on our goalie as much,” said Rutherford to the media on Tuesday.

Thatcher Demko was a massive reason the Canucks managed to play meaningful games in April and covered up a lot of their mistakes. Rutherford was brutally honest about the Canucks defence which is something they really need to fix.

“I think it’s the structure of the team of how we’re going to play to give players a chance when they get in trouble, like, our exits from our defensive zone are not good, probably one of the worst in the league,” said Rutherford.

He’s right. The Canucks defence needs to be worked on. The right side in particular needs fixing.

Quinn Hughes needs a reliable partner. This is no disrespect towards Luke Schenn because he has done great as Hughes’ partner especially considering he was expected to be the seventh defenceman at the beginning of the season. But is he a long-term partner for Hughes? No.

With Allvin and Rutherford mentioning that they want to create cap space and also get better, changes to the roster are coming and the right side of the blue line should be included.

Let’s take a look at some right-handed defencemen under the age of 25 that the Canucks could acquire. With players like J.T. Miller, Conor Garland and Brock Boeser’s names being on the trade rumour department for the last few months at least one of them could possibly fetch one of these five young defencemen under 25 who have potential.

Nov 26, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Nils Lundkvist (27) gets set to shoot the puck during the second period against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Nils Lundkvist (27) gets set to shoot the puck during the second period against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

Braden Schneider, age 20,New York Rangers

Braden Schneider was drafted 19th overall by the Rangers in 2020.

He made his NHL debut this season and surprisingly has done well with two goals and 11 assists in 43 games in the regular season. Schneider so far has done well in the playoffs (This article is being written before Game 3 between the Rangers and Penguins.)

Schneider brings size at 6’2″ and 209 pounds. He is a decent skater and has a good shot. Schneider’s best trait is probably his physicality as he can lay out some big hits.

Schneider is also very good at breaking up the play on the rush and stopping shot attempts like below against Jeff Carter in game one.

Schneider would be an excellent long-term partner for Hughes and he has still a ton of potential. A physical defenceman who is good in his own zone and occasionally provide offence would benefit Hughes.

Nils Lundkvist, age 21, New York Rangers

If the Rangers really don’t want to give up Schneider, they have another option.

Nils Lundkvist is still a work in progress unlike Schneider but there is still potential in him. Drafted by the Rangers 28th overall in 2018, Lundkvist is a solid puck-moving defenceman and a solid passer with a decent shot. He might not be the biggest standing at 5’10” and 187 pounds but he is very mobile and makes the right decisions.

Since he is considered an offensive defenceman, the defensive game still needs work due to his size but he knows how to take the puck away from an opponent with his quick stick and get up the ice very quickly.

Lundkvist played 34 games with the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL this season scoring three goals and notching 12 assists. He did play 25 games with the Blueshirts this season scoring one goal and managing three assists.

He won’t be able to make an impact with the Canucks right away but he could be a great addition in Abbotsford if they were to acquire him. It would be like having Quinn Hughes lite but on the right side with Lundkvist.

EDMONTON, AB – MAY 04: Zach Hyman #18 of the Edmonton Oilers battles against Sean Durzi #50 of the Los Angeles Kings during the second period in Game Two of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on May 4, 2022 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
EDMONTON, AB – MAY 04: Zach Hyman #18 of the Edmonton Oilers battles against Sean Durzi #50 of the Los Angeles Kings during the second period in Game Two of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on May 4, 2022 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images) /

Sean Durzi,age 23, Los Angeles Kings

The Kings are another team in the playoffs right now and they are down 2-1 in their series against the Edmonton Oilers.

LA also has a lot of young talent and a good group of prospects in their system. One of these talented young players is Sean Durzi.

He was drafted in the second round, 52nd overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs but he was part of the trade that sent Jake Muzzin to Toronto in January of 2019. Durzi made his NHL debut this past season and has done well with the Kings. In 64 games, he has scored three goals and managed 24 assists for 27 points.

Durzi is very good at moving the puck and can help on the power play.

One thing he is very good at is intercepting the puck.

He is also quite good at knocking the puck away from the forwards in the defensive zone.

There is still lots of room for growth in Durzi’s game and the Canucks right side would improve with his puck-moving abilities.

Helge Grans, age 19, Los Angeles Kings

Helge Grans isn’t in the NHL (yet) but there is lots of NHL potential. If the Kings don’t want to give up Durzi, Grans is an option.

LA drafted him in the second round, 35th overall in 2020. Grans is currently playing in the AHL playoffs with the Ontario Reign. In 56 AHL regular season games, Grans scored seven times and managed 14 assists.

The 6’3″ Swede skates really well and is also great passing and has a heavy shot. (Number 3 below.)

According to Cam Robinson of Dobber Prospects, his defensive game needs work but has improved over the past year.

He will take some time to grow but if the Canucks do trade for him, his transitional game could go well with Hughes in the future.

Mar 20, 2022; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Henri Jokiharju (10) battles with Vancouver Canucks forward Conor Garland (8) in the first period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2022; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Henri Jokiharju (10) battles with Vancouver Canucks forward Conor Garland (8) in the first period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports /

Henri Jokiharju, Buffalo Sabres, age 22

Jokiharju was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2017 but two years later was traded to the Buffalo Sabres for Alex Nylander. It was a weird trade and it’s safe to say Buffalo won it.

In 60 games this past season, Jokiharju scored three goals and put up 16 assists for 19 points. (Points are a career-high)

Like Durzi, Jokiharju is an excellent puck mover and a good passer. When it comes to his skating, it is quite smooth.

According to NaturalStatTrick, he led all Sabres defencemen in expected goals per 60 with 2.3. While his defensive game can be a little rough at times, (Can make bad giveaways every now and then.) there is still lots to like about Jokiharju.

He also comes at a cheap cap hit of 2.5 million dollars until the end of the 2023-24 season. If the Canucks were to trade for him, he would crack their top four and his skating and offensive abilities will be welcomed with open arms.

Next. Abbotsford eliminated from playoffs after 3-2 loss to Bakersfield. dark

Let us know your thoughts on these five right-handed defencemen or suggest others the Canucks could target in the comments below, in the Facebook comments or on Twitter.

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