Big Moves Ahead as Vancouver Canucks Zero In on Trade Targets for Forward Nils Höglander
Last summer, the Vancouver Canucks signed Nils Hoglander to a 3 year contract worth $3 million yearly after a breakout 2023-24 campaign, but the 23 year old has struggled so far this season and landed in trade rumours.
As the Canucks look to continue keeping pace in the west without Filip Hronek, some potential names to bolster the blueline have been identified, and Hoglander could be a key piece in a deal.
While the Canucks could benefit from a more depth on their right side, the options are thin, and The Hockey Writers have instead pointed out two left side D options in Mike Matheson and Marcus Pettersson.
Pettersson is one of the most popular names on the trade menu as a pending UFA top 4 D playing with a struggling Pittsburgh Penguins team, he has 13 points in 29 games this season and logs just over 22 minutes per game.
Matheson on the other hand has one year beyond this season at $4.88 million, and shattered his career best season with 62 points in 82 games.
While the 30 year old is still Montreal's #1 defenceman on a very young blue line, the rebuilding Canadiens could look to move on from him as soon as this year as other young D take more prominent roles.
Hoglander could be a vital piece in a trade for either of these players, and in fact Insiders have speculated that Pittsburgh could have interest in the winger.
Vancouver Canucks can keep top prospects by moving Nils Hoglander
The Canucks boast a very solid prospect pool for a team with cup aspirations, and players like Jonathan Lekkerimäki and Tom Willander could be highly sought after trade chips.
However if the Canucks can find a way to make Nils Hoglander the centrepiece of any deal for a blueliner, it could pay dividends down the road.
Both Lekkerimäki and Willander project to be huge parts of the Canucks' future, and could be with the team full time as soon as next year.
The team traded considerable futures ahead last year's deadline, and should try to hold onto their top prospects as much as possible.
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