The Canuck Way
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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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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.

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