Earlier today we commented on a columnist’s idea to trade Patrick Kane. We now present a columnist’s musings on Ryan Kesler and the possibility the Canucks could trade one of their stars.
The Vancouver Sun’s Iain MacIntyre isn’t outright calling for Kesler to be shipped out; he’s just saying it’s “not as unthinkable as it once seemed, given the season Kesler had, a no-trade clause in his contract that kicks in before next season, and the potential benefits to the Canucks of a multi-player windfall and the renewal of their image.”
That last part about the Canucks’ image might be the most interesting after Vancouver’s first-round loss to the Kings in which Kesler’s alleged diving created a cottage industry in GIF creation (see below, our favorite is the ducklings one.)
But is it really possible Kesler could be traded? Probably not.
As The Province’s Ben Kuzma writes, quality centers are hard to find – just ask the Leafs – and not too many have a Selke Trophy on their resumes.
Not to mention, Vancouver traded Cody Hodgson at the deadline, Samme Pahlsson is a pending UFA and Manny Malhotra hasn’t been the same since a serious eye injury.
If anything, the Canucks need to add more centers, not trade them away.
Related: Gillis: Canucks couldn’t get their “emotions together” after beating Boston in January
