Looks like those Emerson Etem trade rumblings finally cracked the surface.
The Canucks have acquired Etem from the Rangers in exchange for Nicklas Jensen, per Sportsnet. The Rangers will also reportedly receive a late-round pick in the deal as well.
(Update: sixth-round pick in 2017.)
Etem, 23, was Anaheim’s first-round pick (29th overall) in 2010, and dealt to the Rangers at the ’15 draft in exchange for Carl Hagelin. A speedster with good skills, Etem has struggled to become a regular contributor at the NHL, despite showing flashes of promise (like his wonder goal against the Jets in last year’s opening playoff round.)
In Vancouver, he’ll be reunited with former junior coach Willie Desjardins. Etem scored 37 goals as a 17-year-old rookie for WHL Medicine Hat in 2009-10, the same year he got drafted.
As for Jensen, he’s also a former first-round pick: also 29th overall, but in 2011.
He’s similar to Etem in that he’s high on skill and skating ability, but has yet to see it translate to the big-league level. In 24 career games with Vancouver, he’s scored three goals and six points -- and has spent all of this year with the Canucks’ AHL affiliate in Utica.
It’s worth noting that Jensen played under Canucks bench boss Alain Vigneault in Vancouver, so there’s some familiarity there. No word yet if he’ll report to New York, or AHL Hartford.