The Vancouver Canucks could be ready to blow things up. The club’s management has been forthcoming about being “open for business.” That situation signals the team is ready to sell on its impending UFAs.
The Canucks should have no shortage of interested parties looking to swing a deal. But one Eastern Conference club in particular emerges as a potentially logical trade partner. That club is the Philadelphia Flyers.
The Flyers, specifically, have a direct tie to the Canucks. That tie would be coach Rick Tocchet. Tocchet left Vancouver at the end of last season, moving on to the Flyers. That connection, in insider Rick Dhaliwal’s opinion, makes the Canucks-Flyers link a reasonable one.
Dhaliwal had this to say on Monday’s Donnie & Dhali show:
“The other team that’s interesting here is Philly, they obviously have a tie-in with Tocchet, he knows [the Canucks] roster better than anybody.”
Tocchet’s ties to Vancouver could make for an interesting opportunity the Flyers cannot pass up. Impending UFAs like Evander Kane, Kiefer Sherwood, and Teddy Blueger could all be on the move at one point or another this season.
While Sherwood has drawn a significant amount of attention, according to reports, it’s Blueger who could be a person of interest. The Flyers could use another center. Of course, Blueger wouldn’t be a top-six option. But he could provide the Flyers with much-needed depth.
Could Flyers Bring in Kiefer Sherwood?
Kiefer Sherwood would be an intriguing option for the Flyers. Sherwood has had a solid season for the Canucks this season. So, his trade value is at its highest. Tocchet knows Sherwood and could find a spot for him in the Flyers’ top six.
Perhaps placing Sherwood on the second line with Christian Dvorak could add some more punch to the Flyers’ scoring. If that’s the case, the Canucks could drive up the price for Sherwood.
Given the way the trade market is shaping up, the Flyers could be willing to part with a high draft pick. Perhaps a first-round might be a bit of a stretch, certainly a late first-rounder or a low second-rounder could get the ball rolling.
Then again, the Canucks can extract a solid prospect or decent roster player. One name that’s been consistently a part of Flyers’ trade rumors has been Owen Tippett. Tippett could be the sort of piece the Canucks could use as part of a light rebuild.
Canucks Don’t Have to Trade Anybody
The narrative has focused on the Canucks having to clean house this season. However, Vancouver doesn’t really have to trade anybody, at least not yet. Sure, the club isn’t likely headed to the playoffs. But then again, panic selling is never the best way to go.
Unless the Canucks officially commit to a full-on rebuild, there’s no sense in selling everyone off at this point. Vancouver still has some runway to get back to respectability. That situation means Vancouver will not make moves for the sake of it. They’ll sit on their hands until they can find someone to fleece.
Whether that team is Philly or anyone else, the pieces will move when the price is right.
Canucks Could Find Trade Ally in Eastern Conference Club: Insider