The Vancouver Canucks are pretty much a sinking ship this season. They are taking on far more water than they can handle. That situation has led the club to undergo a major transformation this season.
One of the Hail Mary moves the Canucks attempted this season was acquiring former first-round pick Lukas Reichel. In short, Reichel did not work out, leading to his placement on waivers.
Reichel’s $1.2 million cap hit gave everyone the heebie-jeebies, leading him to clear unclaimed. But that doesn’t mean there might not be a trade out there for the Canucks. In fact, a swap of failed prospects would revive Reichel’s career.
Another languishing prospect could be New York Rangers forward Brennan Othmann. The 22-year-old has been the subject of significant trade speculation this season. The chatter has been that Othmann is not really in the Rangers’ plans.
As such, the Blueshirts could be willing to move him amid a tough season. Othmann, like Reichel, landed on The Athletic’s trade board this season. Perhaps individually, neither Reichel nor Othmann would be a look.
But as part of a 1-for-1 swap, the deal could make sense.
Canucks get:
Brennan Othmann, F
Rangers get:
Lukas Reichel, F
Let’s be realistic for a moment. Despite having a first-round pedigree behind them, fans shouldn’t expect Reichel or Othmann to become instant impact players. While they could fit into long-term plans, this trade is more about trying to salvage something out of nothing.
The worst thing the Canucks or the Rangers can do is let these former top prospects languish. A fresh start with tapered expectations might be just the thing to kick-start their careers.
Canucks Lose Nothing by Giving Othmann a Shot
The fact is that the Canucks lose nothing by giving Othmann a shot. He is an impending RFA with a reasonable cap hit. The upside, however, could be significant enough to entice Vancouver to give him a solid crack at the NHL. Vancouver’s rebuild could be a good opportunity for Othmann to prove himself without the pressure of playing on Broadway.
That said, expectations must be realistic. While Othmann could still grow into a top-six winger, there’s no sense in slapping such a label on him. The Canucks must be wary of placing undue pressure on Othmann.
Vancouver Must Prioritize Long-Term Thinking
With a rebuild a fait accompli in Vancouver, the Canucks must prioritize long-term thinking. The team gave Reichel a shot, and it didn’t work. That’s why it’s a good time to deal with the sunk cost and move on.
While the Rangers may not feel that swapping Reichel for Othmann might be worthwhile, the fact is that New York isn’t precisely in the best of spots, either. Rumors suggest the Rangers could be part of a massive shakeup. That’s why a seemingly minor trade could be the beginning of something much larger.
The clock is ticking on this wave of trades. The Olympic roster freeze will go into effect on February 4. So, there is some urgency to get deals done ahead of said deadline.
Canucks Swap Idea Gives Former 1st-Rounders Fresh Start