Trade in the works between Patrik Allvin and the Sharks?

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Cooper Godin
September 2, 2024 (3:06 PM)

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The Vancouver Canucks and San Jose Sharks could be trade partners as Patrik Allvin looks to address goaltending situation.

With training camp just 17 days away, the Vancouver Canucks' goaltending situation is a topic of interest for many around the National Hockey League and it's something that'll likely be addressed in the coming weeks.

Thatcher Demko reportedly won't be ready for training camp and preseason games, while Arturs Silovs is dealing with knee ligament inflammation. Silovs is expected to be good to go for training camp.

With Demko's status for the start of the season unclear, Vancouver Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin has reportedly been taking a look at the free agent goaltending market and evaluating the options he has. One netminder they've been linked to is Kevin Lankinen, formerly of the Nashville Predators.

While the free agent market is a bit thin in terms of goaltending options, Allvin could turn his attention to making a trade to bring in some help between the pipes. One potential trade partner for the Canucks is the San Jose Sharks, who have a bit of a crowded crease now with the recent acquisition of top prospect Yaroslav Askarov from Nashville.

On a recent edition of the Locked On Sharks podcast, JD Young believes that the two sides could be trade partners, with San Jose potentially moving either Vitek Vanecek or Mackenzie Blackwood, while the Canucks are facing a bit of uncertainty in net to start the season.

"Who would make a lot of sense? I think you have to look just north at the Vancouver Canucks. The Canucks right now are kind of dealing with some goalie injuries. You have Thatcher Demko, who is still dealing with some injuries. He got hurt at the beginning of the playoffs last year and is still slowly working his way back from it. It doesn't sound like he's going to be ready for the season to start. If you're the Canucks and you're kind of in your window right now, having your number one goaltender out seems pretty bad and on top of that, their backup goalie Arturs Silovs, he is dealing with some knee ligament inflammation." Young said.

He went on to add, "Both goalies are going to come back at some point, but to get some peace of mind and either Vitek Vanecek or Mackenzie Blackwood, would make a lot of sense. You don't want to kind of dig yourself in such a deep hole that you have to play catch up for the rest of the season."

The Canucks currently have less than $200,000 remaining in cap space for the 2024-25 season. Once opening night rolls around, Tucker Poolman's $2.5 million cap hit will be added to LTIR, freeing up some more money for Allvin to play with. The Canucks would be more likely to add Mackenzie Blackwood and his $2.35 million cap hit this season than they would Vitek Vanecek's $3.4 million salary, unless the Sharks retain money on the latter.

Which goaltender do you think would be a better fit for the Canucks - Vitek Vanecek or Mackenzie Blackwood? Let us know what you think in the poll below!

Source: JD Young/Locked On Sharks (begins at 5:15 mark)
Could The San Jose Sharks Look To Move Vanecek Or Blackwood Before The Season Starts?