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Report: Canucks want center, top prospect and first-rounder for Kesler

Ryan Kesler

Vancouver Canucks’ Ryan Kesler celebrates his short-handed goal against the Minnesota Wild during the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Feb. 28, 2014, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Darryl Dyck)

AP

If TSN’s Bob McKenzie is correct, the Vancouver Canucks have indeed named a price for Ryan Kesler, and it certainly isn’t cheap.

The Canucks want this approximate package for the 29-year-old forward, at least according to McKenzie in this Insider Trading segment:

1) A center (approximate age: 25) who can fill much of the void left behind by Kesler.

2) A high-end prospect. McKenzie indicates that Vancouver might lean toward a forward in this regard, although he also notes that gaining a defensive piece could allow them to move a blueliner themselves.

3) A first-round draft pick. (Standard stuff at the deadline, in that regard.)

Who would be willing to bite? That remains to be seen as the Wednesday afternoon trade deadline approaches, as teams like the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers are among those rumored to be batting around offers. Darren Dreger adds the Toronto Maple Leafs to the list of teams who are at least interested.

There is no word on whether any of those teams are coming anywhere close to such pricey demands from Canucks GM Mike Gillis.

Some believe that the best time to deal Kesler may in fact be around the 2014 NHL Draft, but we’ll need to wait and see.

For the rest of the Insider Trading segment, click here.

Follow James O’Brien @cyclelikesedins