The Vancouver Canucks and Florida Panthers have made a trade -- and it’s a big one.
As per Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, the two main components are forward Jared McCann, who just completed his rookie season with the Canucks, and 24-year-old defenseman Erik Gudbranson, who has played five seasons with the Florida Panthers.
Here are the details:
No salary retained on Erik Gudbranson in the trade to Vancouver.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) May 26, 2016
McCann is the second draft selection of the Jim Benning-Trevor Linden era, taken 24th overall in 2014. As a 19-year-old rookie armed with a big-league wrist shot, he scored nine goals and 18 points while averaging 12:31 of ice time per game in 69 games.
The Canucks had the option of sending McCann back to junior last season and not burning a year of his entry-level deal, but they chose to keep him in Vancouver for the entire year.
One particular aspect of his development, particularly this off-season, was a need to get physically stronger, which was something that could be exposed at times in the defensive end against bigger forwards.
.@FlaPanthers Tom Rowe: We needed more skill, more options...Jared McCann fits perfect; can play C, wing; gives us options
— George Richards (@GeorgeRichards) May 26, 2016
Gudbranson, selected third overall in 2010 and signed to a one-year, $3.5 million extension earlier this month, certainly gives the Canucks size on the back end at six-foot-five-inches tall, a physical presence and a right shot on the blue line, but he has managed only 13 points as a single-season career best and that was in 2014-15.
The Canucks also gave up two picks in this year’s draft.
Benning says Gudbranson brings size and strength and can make a good first pass. A "high-character person." A good fit to play with Hutton.
— Jason Brough 🙁 (@SadClubCommish) May 26, 2016
#FlaPanthers defense very deep, but Erik Gudbranson looked at as future captain material. Was about to cost them a lot of $$ though..
— George Richards (@GeorgeRichards) May 26, 2016