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The Canucks had an active summer, and their recent moves have confirmed their playoff contenders status.
Along with that tag come expectations, expectations that will have Patrik Allvin explore the trade market to improve the Canucks, hopefully in the long run. With their developmental staff and their most recent draft selections, the Canucks have built a prospect pool strong enough to be in the conversation for just about any player that emerges on the trade market and according to recent reports, Allvin shouldn't shy away from the idea of trading one of his two top prospects in Jonathan Lekkerimaki or Tom Willander.
Satiar Shah: ''I'll trade one of the top two prospects, I don't care''
On Sportsnet 650, the analyst Satiar Shah stunned many by stating that he wouldn't mind trading away either one of the Canucks' top Swede prospects if it meant acquiring a 24 or 25-year-old who could be with the Canucks for an extended time:
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If I'm getting a legitimate top four, you know, legitimate top four defencemen that could be here for a long time. One that is what Willander could be in a few years
Particular target in mind?
In his segment, Shah brought up the Flames' star defender, Rasmus Andersson, as a potential fit for that particular type of trade. The issue with Andersson is that he may not only be too old to fit into the Canucks' core but might be commanding more money than the Canucks can afford at the end of the 2025-2026 campaign.
When Allvin and Rutherford laid out their retooling plan, acquiring prospects and players in their early 20s was the target. Have the Canucks improved enough to justify trying to speed up the process by matching assets together to acquire established players? If the Canucks wanted to go after a player of Andersson's stature, a player who's got term on his contract, it would most likely cost a top-end prospect like Tom Willander and a top pick.
While Willander may not be as good as Andersson for another three to four seasons, or ever, he'll be coming into the NHL rather sooner than later with a very cheap entry-level contract. The type of things a team with heavy buy-out penalties (OEL) can't get enough of. It'll be interesting to see how Allvin manages his assets before making his next trade as the Canucks try and accentuate their status as steady Cup contenders.
