The Vancouver Canucks are struggling immensely as of late. After starting the season with two wins in their first three games, the Canucks have now lost each of their last 10 games.
The Canucks are in the middle of a major rebuild, so it is not too surprising that they are having an ugly start to the campaign. As a result of this, there is a clear expectation that they will be sellers yet again this season in the trade market.
Due to this, multiple Canucks players made Chris Johnston's latest trade board for The Athletic. Without any surprise, Canucks top trade candidates Elias Pettersson and Jake DeBrusk made the cut.
However, a new Canucks forward was also featured on Johnston's trade board: Drew O'Connor.
Johnston gave O'Connor the No. 16 spot on his trade board and noted that the Canucks winger is a pending unrestricted free agent (UFA).
"O’Connor is better suited for a bottom-six role, although he did manage to score 17 goals in Vancouver last season. He’s known for a power game. Big and strong, O’Connor is unafraid to finish a body check or engage in a battle for the puck. The pending UFA has also effectively killed penalties throughout his NHL career," Johnston wrote.
Seeing O'Connor be labeled as a top trade candidate to watch is understandable. The Canucks are rebuilding, so it would make sense if they shopped O'Connor as we closer to the trade deadline. He could also get Vancouver a decent return in a trade. This is because contenders are always on the hunt for heart-and-soul energy players like O'Connor ahead of the deadline.
In 13 games this season with the Canucks, O'Connor has posted one goal, three points, and 20 hits. Yet, when noting that he posted 17 goals and 29 points in 82 games just last season for the Canucks, there should be a good amount of interest in him. He recorded at least 10 goals and 25 points in each of his last three seasons, which adds to his appeal.
Canucks have a decision to make with O'Connor
O'Connor is clearly a player who the Canucks appreciate having around. He is one of their alternate captains, after all, so the Canucks will have a decision to make with him ahead of the trade deadline.
Given how much the Canucks respect O'Connor as a player, it would not be terribly surprising if they looked to sign him to a contract extension before potentially trading him. Yet, if he does not have a contract extension signed as we get closer to the deadline, Vancouver may have no choice but to shop him.
Nevertheless, it will be very intriguing to see what ends up happening with O'Connor this season.
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