Several NHL General Managers Spotted Scouting Abbotsford Canucks Game For Potential Trade Assets
The Abbotsford Canucks dropped a close game to the Laval Rocket on the road, but the players on the ice weren't exactly the main focus on Friday night.
During the game Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas was spotted alongside Bruins' GM Don Sweeney and Utah HC's Bill Armstrong.
Anthony Marcotte, who reports on the Rocket and Montreal Canadiens, said that it's unusual to see so many high ranking front office members at any game, let alone an AHL regular season game.
While rare to see, Ottawa Senators columnist tried to cool some speculation, saying that the three men are also attending the World Juniors in Ottawa, and on Friday no games were played in the nation's capital.
While Ottawa and Laval aren't extremely far from each other, roughly two and a half hours is still a significant trip to make if the managers don't at least have some interest in players on the respective AHL clubs.
Not only that, but they all have assets that the Canucks may have interest in.
Potential trade partners for the Vancouver Canucks
Marcus Pettersson has been in the trade rumour mill all season long due to his expiring contract and being one of the best defenseman expected to be on the market.
The Canucks would likely be interested in adding him to their blue line, but with the Penguins reentering the playoff race in recent weeks, it's unclear if they'll be sellers ahead of the trade deadline.
The Bruins, who just re-signed Mark Kastelic, could potentially look to move on from pending UFA Trent Frederic.
Both teams could have interest in Canucks AHLers like Elias Pettersson and Aatu Räty in a potential deal.
Utah could offer up pending UFAs like Nick Bjugstad, BC native Alex Kerfoot, or former Canuck Ian Cole - however they're behind the Canucks by just four points for a playoff spot, and Vancouver would more likely be interested in more significant adds.
