OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - Vancouver Canucks - 2014

CanuckJohnny · 08-01-2023, 12:30 AM

Blockbuster Deal between Division Rivals as Canucks move Edler and Hansen

News came down the wire today that Vancouver and Los Angeles have completed the first big deal of the offseason. Trevor Linden spoke about having a direction for the club after debriefing from the season with his management team, and this is a clearly a big step in his plan.

The Trade: LAK acquires D Alex Edler (29yo, 5x$5M, 45gp, 2-17-19, +7, 20:51toi), F Jannik Hansen (29yo, 4x$2.5M, 82gp, 14-21-35, +7, 17:12toi), 2017 VAN 5th, 2017 VAN 7th; VAN acquires F Justin Williams (33yo, 2x$1.29M, 81gp, 7-19-26, -3, 15:31toi), prospect D Kevin Gravel (6-4, 200lb, 23yo, 2x$550k, AHL: 80gp, 3-10-13, 142pim, -3, 10:39toi), 2015 LAK 2nd
Analysis: The attractiveness of this deal for Vancouver is likely that they move off of a couple of expensive longer term contracts, and the top 50 pick they acquire in this draft. For Los Angeles, they move out an aging Justin Williams who was entirely unproductive for them this year and add an effective middle six winger and a dependable 2/3 defenseman, both in their prime. Los Angeles wins this deal, although Vancouver had little leverage knowing LA was one of the only places to which Edler and Hansen would agree to waive their no trade clauses to go to.

Trevor Linden explained his rationale, "we continue to transition our roster to be younger and geared towards long term success, while aiming to be competitive for the duration of the Sedin's tenure. Alex Edler and Jannik Hansen have both been key pieces of our core, and their contributions to the Canucks organization will not be forgotten, by us or by their fans. However, we see this deal as opening up a lot more financial flexibility, especially long term, as well as finding Alex and Jannik a good home where they want to be. It was important to us to do right by these two teammates. It was a difficult conversation with both of them, and they are both very capable hockey players who will instantly make the Kings a better team, but hard choices have to be made and we believe this is the best direction for our franchise. We are happy to add Justin Williams and his reputation for clutch scoring and his playoff experience are valuable to us. We also added a physical defensive prospect who we hope will find his game and make it to the next level with us in Kevin Gravel. Finally, I have made no secret of the fact we are looking for high draft picks. The Kings second rounder this year was the best we could do in that regard, we looked for a first but couldn't find one available. It should be a top fifty selection still and we expect our scouts will find a player with NHL potential to choose with it."

08-01-2023, 12:30 AM	#52
CanuckJohnny All Star Reserve Join Date: Apr 2022 Posts: 554	Blockbuster Deal between Division Rivals as Canucks move Edler and Hansen News came down the wire today that Vancouver and Los Angeles have completed the first big deal of the offseason. Trevor Linden spoke about having a direction for the club after debriefing from the season with his management team, and this is a clearly a big step in his plan. The Trade: LAK acquires D Alex Edler (29yo, 5x$5M, 45gp, 2-17-19, +7, 20:51toi), F Jannik Hansen (29yo, 4x$2.5M, 82gp, 14-21-35, +7, 17:12toi), 2017 VAN 5th, 2017 VAN 7th; VAN acquires F Justin Williams (33yo, 2x$1.29M, 81gp, 7-19-26, -3, 15:31toi), prospect D Kevin Gravel (6-4, 200lb, 23yo, 2x$550k, AHL: 80gp, 3-10-13, 142pim, -3, 10:39toi), 2015 LAK 2nd Analysis: The attractiveness of this deal for Vancouver is likely that they move off of a couple of expensive longer term contracts, and the top 50 pick they acquire in this draft. For Los Angeles, they move out an aging Justin Williams who was entirely unproductive for them this year and add an effective middle six winger and a dependable 2/3 defenseman, both in their prime. Los Angeles wins this deal, although Vancouver had little leverage knowing LA was one of the only places to which Edler and Hansen would agree to waive their no trade clauses to go to. Trevor Linden explained his rationale, "we continue to transition our roster to be younger and geared towards long term success, while aiming to be competitive for the duration of the Sedin's tenure. Alex Edler and Jannik Hansen have both been key pieces of our core, and their contributions to the Canucks organization will not be forgotten, by us or by their fans. However, we see this deal as opening up a lot more financial flexibility, especially long term, as well as finding Alex and Jannik a good home where they want to be. It was important to us to do right by these two teammates. It was a difficult conversation with both of them, and they are both very capable hockey players who will instantly make the Kings a better team, but hard choices have to be made and we believe this is the best direction for our franchise. We are happy to add Justin Williams and his reputation for clutch scoring and his playoff experience are valuable to us. We also added a physical defensive prospect who we hope will find his game and make it to the next level with us in Kevin Gravel. Finally, I have made no secret of the fact we are looking for high draft picks. The Kings second rounder this year was the best we could do in that regard, we looked for a first but couldn't find one available. It should be a top fifty selection still and we expect our scouts will find a player with NHL potential to choose with it."