The Vancouver Canucks season so far has not gone as well as any fan, player, or staff member would have liked and assumed going into the year.
The team has been eager to trade for a top 4 defenceman basically all season, with the urgency becoming even greater during Filip Hronek’s long term injury, but according to Canucks Insider Rick Dhaliwal – the price is just way too high.
On the most recent interview of The Team with Donnie and Dhali, Dhaliwal says with the standings so tight, teams are asking for a king’s ransom in return for a top 4 defenceman
Willander is highly regarded around the league, and as arguably the team’s top prospect and projecting to fill a significant need in the Canucks organization, the team is understandably reluctant to move on from the player.
Not only that but most of the defenceman rumoured to be available would come with just one to two years remaining on their deal, and are older than most of the Canucks’ core.
With Willander potentially looking like a fixture in the Canucks top 4 as soon as next season, the Canucks would have to get a significant player to consider dealing him.
Vancouver Canucks considering a rebuild?
The Canucks are still in the thick of the playoff race at this point in the season, although over the past month and a half they’ve squandered their lead on the other teams in the pack and actually sit on the outside looking in.
Now as the trade deadline nears, the front office will have to decide whether it’s the right time to add pieces, or if they may look towards a rebuild.
While a full on teardown is unlikely with a top ten player like Quinn Hughes in the prime of his career, the team is apparently considering trade options that would lead towards a retool.
Whatever route they take, we’re unlikely to see the trade deadline pass without the Canucks making a move.