So, how do you like Chicago's playoff chances now that they've traded for two ex-Canucks in Christian Ehrhoff and Dale Weise?
After acquiring Andrew Ladd on Thursday, Stan Bowman stayed busy on Friday—picking up Ehrhoff from Los Angeles in exchange for Rob Scuderi, while Weise and Tomas Fleischmann came over from Montreal in exchange for young French-Canadian forward Phillip Danault and a second-round draft pick.
Is Bowman now finished making moves?
I'm not nearly as wowed by these trades as I was by the deal for Ladd, but as general manager of the defending Stanley Cup champions, Bowman is still sending a message to every other possible contender that he's playing hardball. That should improve the leverage for teams like the Canucks who have assets to sell.
The good news for Vancouver is that a second and a prospect is a pretty hefty price to pay for two impending UFAs in Weise and Fleischmann. Weise made some noise with two game-winning goals for Montreal in the 2014 playoffs and one last season, but he has cooled off considerably this year after a hot start—14-12-26 for the season but with nine of those goals having come before the end of November.
For his part, Fleischmann is 10-10-20. Last year, he had 21 points with Florida when he was traded to the Anaheim Ducks at the deadline in exchange for Dany Heatley and a third-rounder, but he appeared in just six playoff games for the Ducks, collecting one assist.
I bring this up because, even in his underperforming year, Radim Vrbata's numbers are similar: 12-12-24, likely with way more upside than Weise or Fleischmann. If he's willing to be traded, he could still have suitors among the teams looking for a scoring winger.
Vrbata was back on the ice on Friday, but it doesn't sound like they Canucks plan to play him before the deadline.
That's the right move, if they are hoping to make a deal.
As for Dan Hamhuis, there was talk on Friday that his indecision about waiving his no-trade clause may have kiboshed a deal in Chicago, but former player agent Brian Lawton—a source outside Vancouver, who's now with NHL Network—seems to think it could still be a possibility:
I notice an absence of "Dallas" on that list, which could spell trouble. But the door's still open—and the Kings could still use a Top 4 blueliner. I think the Capitals are set, but plenty could still change in the next 48 hours. It'll be very interesting to see how the dominoes fall.
If this list is accurate, then good on Hamhuis. All the teams are genuine contenders, and hopefully three options are enough to give Jim Benning some bargaining leverage, too.
Don't forget, though Jason Garrison and Kevin Bieksa were both dealt in the offseason, it took a couple of tries with both players to nail down a suitable deal in a destination where they'd be willing to land.
There has been quite a bit of chatter over the last day or so, comparing Hamhuis to Kris Russell, who's also likely to be traded, but I don't think the comparisons matter much, as Russell doesn't have a no-trade clause. Hamhuis' experience makes him more suited to go to a Cup contender, but Russell will probably earn a bigger return for Calgary since Brad Treliving will have more options.
I do think that Hamhuis will also be dealt. Even if he's not, I think he's doing his best to play ball. I wish him all the best, however this plays out.
On the ice today, the Canucks are holding their open practice at Rogers Arena, starting at 11 a.m. Admission is free.
Click here to register.
Other than that, all is pretty quiet for the moment. Will we see more deals today, or are the GMs now setting the stage for big moves on deadline Monday?
Vancouver Canucks Blogger • 
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