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Tanev is Back
I don't read too much in to this move by the Canucks other than they want to accomplish two things by bringing him back up. One, they want to send a message to the eight D they have on the roster (7 not including Salo) that they are not happy with how they are playing and they have to be better. Gillis has always said that the best players will play and right now Tanev is looking better in the AHL than most of the Canucks blueliners are in the NHL. He deserves another shot and Gillis is giving him that shot, while trying to light a fire under his other defenceman that they have to be better. And two, this is a sort of a tryout for Tanev for Gillis to see if he needs to add another D. Gillis wants to find out if he has that top 4 D in the system before he goes and give up some assets to get one. It wouldn't at all surprise me if we see another D or 2 getting few games between now and the deadline to see if they will do as depth players. Why go to the store to buy milk when you have milk in the fridge?
I still don't anticipate any movement until Tanev gets a few games in. Of course, there is always the option that Tanev was brought up to showcase as trade bait for a blockbuster Gillis is working one. But like I said, I think we're a few weeks away from any movement.
Available D-men
I thought I'd take a chance to look at who may be available to fill the Canucks number one need of a defenceman. Some of these options are a bit more realistic then others, but all could help the Canucks in one way or another.
Right-Handed
Matt Niskanen – 1.5 mil
Why he's available - The Pen's are fighting for a playoff spot and need to make some sort of move to stay in the race. Niskanen is a player that could bring back a decent return. He is also a RFA at season's end and will likely be asking for a raise on his 1.75 mil. The Pen's may want to give him as he is likely slated to be their 5/6/7 D next year.
Why add him - A right-handed D who can help the power-play and maybe play with Edler.
What it would take to get him - I'm thinking a Raymond for Niskanen may work out for both teams
Luke Schenn- 3.6 mil
Why he's available - Not really available in my opinion, but his name comes up a lot in rumours. It will take a big time offer to land him.
Why add him - He would be an excellent player to play with Edler and he is signed to a reasonable cap hit for a few more years. He is also that stay at home guy the team needs.
What it would take to get him - A big time offer. I'm thinking the conversation starts with Hodgson or Schneider. More the type of deal you make in the off-season.
Matt Gilroy- 1 mil
Why he's available- He's a UFA at season's end and will likely walk.
Why add him- He's a right-hand shot that would make a good 5/6/7 D, and he could maybe help out the PP. He is also easy to fit in because of his cap hit.
What it would take to get him- I'm think a 3/4/5 rd pick would get this deal done
Slava Voynov- 817,000
Why he's available- Kings need scoring and Voynov is the guy who could land it for them.
Why add him- a good, solid, young D, with a good cap hit. Voynov would help the Canucks on the PP and play 16-20 minutes without hurting the team
What it would take to get him- I'm thinking a Raymond for Voynov may work out for both teams
Travis Hamonic- 875,000
Why he's available- Again like Schenn it will take a big time offer to land Hamonic. When you have been as bad as the Isles for so long you have to consider every option
Why add him- He is the rock solid, nasty, right-handed D the Canucks need bad. Having Hamonic in the mix is a long shot but he would upgrade the Canucks significantly on D and likely won't cost Weber or Suter prices.
What it would take to get him- A huge offer that starts with Schnieder +
Stephane Robidas- 3.3 mil
Why he's available- The Stars are fighting for a playoff spot but for the right price I can see Robidas available. He's signed for two more years at a cap hit of 3.3 mil and maybe the Stars want to clear a bit of cap room to add a UFA or re-sign some of their young players that are RFA's in the next year or so.
Why add him- He'd add toughness, leadership and be a very good partner for Edler. In my opinion, Robidas is one of the most underrated D in hockey.
What it would take to get him- I'm think Raymond and a mid round pick or prospect.
Pavel Kubina- 3.85 mil
Why he's available – He's a UFA on a team going nowhere. Like Gilroy I see him being moved
Why add him- He's a big body that can play the PP a bit and has lots of playoff experience. He's a little slow but I think he's a better option than our 5/6/7 guys right now.
What it would take to get him- I'm thinking he goes at the deadline for a 2nd rd pick.
Derek Morris- 2.75 mil
Why he's available- Yotes need to re-load and have a few good you D's coming along. A 2.75 mil hit for a 5/6 D is a lot for a team that is losing millions
Why add him- He's a physical D that likely won't cost much and would be a great help towards a playoff run. His contract isn't great, but maybe we find a buy for him or Ballard in the off- season.
What it would take to get him- I'm think a mid round pick or prospect would land him.
Tyler Myers- 1.3 mil
Why he's available- he's due to make 12 mil next year and isn't playing anywhere close to that type of hockey. Maybe the Sabres are having second thoughts about him, and wondering if he's worth the money. He is another guy that it will take a big time offer to land.
Why add him- He's a potential Norris trophy winner down the road and his cap hit is easy to fit in this season.
What it would take to get him- Hodgson, Raymond, + to start the conversation.
Ryan O'Byrne 1.8 mil
Why he's available- The Av's have a few good young D's and maybe O'Byrne has become expendable.
Why add him- Solid stay at home guy who can block shots and play tough. He's a good 6/7 option for the Canucks.
What it would take to get him- a 3rd rd pick
Steve Staios 1.6 mil
Why he's available- He's a UFA on a team that is not making the playoffs. He will be dealt.
Why add him- A veteran presence who might be a good depth guy at a cheap price.
What it would take to get him- not much, I'm thinking 6/7 pick gets it done.
Milan Jurcina- 1.6 mil
Why he's available - He's a UFA on a team that is not making the playoffs. I can see the Isles trying to re-sign him but I think in the end they will deal him.
Why add him- I'm not sure he plays tough enough for his size but he's a good 5/6/7 D who can kill penalties and adds depth.
What it would take to get him- Thinking 4/5 rd pick lands him.
Cory Sarich- 3.6 mil
Why he's available – He's a UFA at season's end and isn't really fitting in, in Calgary. He will be dealt at the deadline.
Why add him- A veteran D who is physical and can provide some leadership in the dressing room. The guy has won a cup and having him as a 5/6 D makes Vancouver tougher to play against.
What it would take to get him- 3rd rd pick
Anton Babchuk- 2.5 mil
Why he's available – Another D who never seems to play in Calgary either because he's in the dog house or he's hurt.
Why add him- He has a huge shot from the point and I think he would be cheap because he has another year on his contract. While he's not the best defenceman in his own end, I think his shot from the point could fill in for Salo in a pinch. I also see a lot of Ehrhoff in his game and think he would be that type of player in Vancouver and a decent cap hit.
What it would take to get him- I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up on waivers and we could get him for free. A 6/7th gets it done for sure.
Adrian Aucoin- 2 mil
Why he's available – He's a UFA at season's end and will likely be dealt.
Why add him- He has a decent shot and would give Vancouver a veteran presence on the blueline and could play 20 minutes in a pinch.
What it would take to get him- a 4/5 rd pick
Mike Komisarek- 4.5 mil
Why he's available – He just seems like the odd man out in Toronto and a change would suit both him and the Leafs well.
Why add him- I have this weird feeling that he would make the perfect defensive partner for Edler. He's big, mean, nasty, and physical. He'll block shots and he'll fight for his teammates. I have some concerns about his speed but if the Leafs would take Ballard for him I'm in.
What it would take to get him- This is the type of deal I make if the Leafs will take Ballard. I think a straight up swap would do wonders for both players.
Zach Bogosian- 2.5 mil
Why he's available – He's another young D that always finds his way into rumours. I'm not sure he's truly available but I think he could be had for the right price.
Why add him- A physical D-man who could play top 4 minutes and develop into a top 2 guy. He make Vancouver D tougher and harder to play against.
What it would take to get him- He's another guy that the conversation starts with Hodgson or Raymond ++.
Left-Handed D
Francois Beauchemin- 3.8 mil
Why he's available- He's a UFA at season's end and will likely be dealt. I think a lot of playoff team will be interested in the Ducks best D.
Why add him- A veteran presence that has won before. Maybe the deadline D to change hands, Beauchemin will make any teams D better.
What it would take to get him- I'm thinking someone moves a 1st rd pick for him.
Marc-Andre Gragnani- 550,000
Why he's available – The Sabres have an insane amount of money committed to their D (20 mil for Ehrhoff and Myers alone) next year so maybe Gragnani become the odd man out. He's a RFA who will want a raise to the 2.5ish mil range and I'm not sure that works financial for the Sabres and their billion dollar D.
Why add him- He's a very smart puck mover, who can play the PP and would be a good option as a 4/5/6 guy for Vancouver.
What it would take to get him- I'm thinking a Raymond for Gragnani may work out for both teams.
Jaroslav Spacek- 3.833 mil
Why he's available- He's a UFA at season's end and will likely be dealt.
Why add him- He has a big shot and plays with an edge to his game. He'd be a decent 5/6 guy for Vancouver. He would add depth.
What it would take to get him- a 4/5 rd pick
Tim Gleason- 2.75 mil
Why he's available – I'm not so sure he is on the market and I really think He'll re-sign in Carolina, but he is UFA and I think the Canes need to get something for him if he isn't signed by the deadline.
Why add him- He's a solid 4/5/6 option and would make Vancouver's D better.
What it would take to get him- a 2nd rd pick and a prospect
Bryan Allen- 2.9 mil
Why he's available – He's a UFA at season's end and will likely be dealt.
Why add him- He's a nasty 5/6 option that would be good on the PK and add toughness.
What it would take to get him- I'm thinking he goes for a 3rd rd pick at the deadline
Shane O'Brien- 1.1 mil
Why he's available – He's a UFA at season's end and the Av's may want something for him. I can see a few teams making offers for SOB
Why add him- The Roxy has requested we get him back and will pay his salary. No just kidding, he's a good teammate that the guys on the team seem to love. He adds toughness, is a good penalty killer, and knows the system. His cap hit is easy to fit in as well
What it would take to get him- 3/4/5 pick or a mid grade prospect.
Nicklas Grossman- 1.65 mil
Why he's available - He's a UFA at season's end and the Stars may want something for him. he's another I'm not sold on being available and I see him staying in Dallas.
Why add him- He's a good solid defensive defenceman. He blocks shots and can kill penalties.
What it would take to get him- 2nd rd pick
Andy Sutton- 2.125 mil
Why he's available – He's a UFA on a team that is going nowhere.
Why add him- He would add instant toughness and is good at keeping the front of the net clear. He would make a good 5/6/7 D for the Canucks and help with the playoffs.
What it would take to get him- 3/4 rd pick
Greg Zanon- 1.933 mil
Why he's available - He's a UFA on a team that may or may not make it. I can see the Wild trying to get something for him.
Why add him- He's a good, solid, Stay at home guy who can kill penalties and fit into the third pairing well. Zanon is an elite shot blocker who would make Vancouver better in that area as well. It's also always good to have a home town kid on the team.
What it would take to get him- I'm thinking someone offers up a 2nd rd pick for him at the deadline.
Hal Gill- 2.25 mil
Why he's available - He's a UFA on a team that is going nowhere.
Why add him- He's big, he can block shots and kill penalties. The biggest weakness Vancouver has is clearing the front of the net and Gill can help there. He'd make a decent 6/7 option, although he's not on my list.
What it would take to get him- I'm thinking he goes for a 4/5 rd pick
Anton Volchenkov- 4.25 mil
Why he's available – I'm thinking the Devils haven't really got what they were hoping for with him. I'm not sure he's entirely on the market but maybe they would look at a Ballard for Volchenkov type deal.
Why add him- He is more physical than all of our D combined and would give our D that "keep your head up" factor. If the Devils would do a Ballard for Volchenkov type deal I think it may help both teams.
What it would take to get him- Ballard with maybe a few odds and ends going each other's way.
Brett Clark- 1.5 mil
Why he's available - He's a UFA on a team that is going nowhere.
Why add him- He's a good shot blocker who is a pretty solid defenceman. I think he is a better option than our 5/6/7 guys and he's easy to slot in with his low cap number.
What it would take to get him- I'm thinking someone gets him for a 3rd rd pick
Randy Jones- 1.5 mil
Why he's available- He's a UFA at season's end and the Jets may try and get something for him.
Why add him- I've always like the guy and think he's a solid option to be a depth type guy
What it would take to get him- I would sell the farm for him but a 5/6 rd pick I may offer.
Well those are the player I can see being out there in the next 5 weeks. Who do you want and what would you give up form them?
Thanks for reading.
Enjoy your day.
Ian
Vancouver Canucks Blogger • 
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