Analyzing 4 trade deadline targets that would improve the Canucks’ blue line
New York TimesIn examining the strengths and weaknesses of the Canucks, there’s a relatively unanimous divide. Benn/Myers: 38.7 CF%, 37.8% expected goal share, outscored 5-2 Fantenberg/Myers: 42.2 CF%, 43.1 expected goal share, outscored 13-6 I do think the Canucks would be better off with Stecher alongside Benn and Myers back with Edler, but regardless, there’s room for improvement when considering how tough of a time Benn and Fantenberg have had controlling play. This would not only address the team’s current depth after Hughes and Edler right away, but it would provide insurance for whenever Edler is no longer a good top-four defenceman in the intermediate future. Regardless, DeMelo looks capable of being a quality second-pair option on a team’s right side whose value would really come beyond next season where it would give the Canucks the flexibility to walk away from the big contract Tanev could score in free agency. Again, I believe Stecher would be just fine to step into a second-pair role if Tanev walks, but my guess is that the Canucks don’t feel the same way and if that’s the case, chasing someone like DeMelo could be a smart way of getting ahead of the curve.
History of this topic
NHL trade deadline moves: Full analysis of 42 deals from our staff
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What a perfect trade deadline could look like for the Vancouver Canucks
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The Canucks struck out on Troy Stecher and Tyson Barrie. What comes next?
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One-on-one with Jim Benning: On the Canucks’ cap structure, contract talks and his trade deadline shopping list
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