General manager Jim Benning has stated on several occasions that his squad needs help. With management failing to get that through the free agent market, a trade appears the only option at this late stage of the summer and several rumors have hit social media recently regarding their need.
Aly Dhanani of Fan Sided has made a few suggestions, both for the present and for a long-term solution to the team’s plight. The deal that makes the most sense based on recent reports is Colorado Avalanche young gun Gabriel Landeskog being added.
Several sources have stated that the youngster and the Avs’ are at odds, surprisingly considering the 23-year-old is the team captain, but it now appears the front office in Colorado would like to add more experience to their front line, a move that can help them win more hockey games in 2016-17.
A potential trade would probably involve Christopher Tanev, arguably the Canucks best young defender, but adding a player that can put the puck in the net on a regular basis won’t come cheap and Landeskog has four straight years in the NHL with 20 goals or more.
A number of other players have also been linked in the last few weeks to Vancouver, including veteran Patrick Marleau of San Jose, but at 36 years of age, the Sharks winger is more of a short-term solution to a problem that will continue to haunt this club if they don’t start adding younger talent.
It makes since that this franchise wants to make a move, but its also important not to be short-sighted in making the playoffs this season and concentrate more on the foundation of the team for future success. Landeskog would be a great answer and the type of player that could help lead this squad for the next decade, even if it costs the squad a talented defender like Tanev.
