Darren Dreger told us yesterday that all was quiet on the Vancouver Canucks trade front.
After making that blockbuster with Bo Horvat last week, the TSN hockey insider reported that there was a break this week, even though the Canucks were looking to get active before the March 3 close.
Things wouldn’t have been calm if Luke Schenn hadn’t returned to that game last night. The defender came out shortly after hitting Artemi Panarin. He looked uncomfortable when he returned and remained standing on the bench.
As a trade target, Schenn’s loss to injury would have angered many fans who wanted the Canucks to sell a right-handed defenseman with intangibles that competing teams seek. He also fits easily into the salary cap, earning just $850,000, and that’s important this year when so many teams are at or near the spending limit.
Wondering if Dreger’s silent report means prospects aren’t ready to pay Vancouver’s price for Schenn yet? And that would line up with last year’s deadline, where activity came late with healthy prices for defenders.
So, thinking out loud here, the deals so far would be third-round picks the Canucks hope to land a second? Is that why we’re talking about a new commitment from Schenn?
Is it a game of chicken where the Canucks pretend to keep the player if their prize isn’t met? Or does new head coach Rick Tocchet have such an affinity for Schenn that they want his leadership after losing Horvat next year?
I’m all for the Schenn trade and suspect there’s enough demand for the Canucks to get their price closer to midnight.
You may need to sweat closer to accidents like last night.
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