Speculation: Jannik Hansen scratched for Canucks game could mean trade imminent

UPDATE: Vancouver Canucks trade Jannik Hansen to San Jose Sharks

EARLIER:

We’re just hours away from the NHL trade deadline, which hits Wednesday at noon, and Canucks fans could be in for another surprise: another trade.

While midway through February it looked as though the club would repeat 2016’s trade deadline and not make any moves, a shock was sent through Canuck Nation as GM Jim Benning traded Alex Burrows to the Ottawa Senators on Monday.

After a dozen seasons with the team who first signed him, Burrows waived his no-trade clause to get the deal done and move to Ottawa, who currently sit 6th in the Eastern Conference.

But moments before tonight’s puck drop at Rogers Arena against the Detroit Red Wings, news broke that forward Jannik Hansen was scratched and would sit out, which can only fuel speculation of an imminent trade.

Hansen a late scratch for the Canucks

— Blake Price (@BlakePriceTSN) March 1, 2017

He’s working out, so we know he’s not injured.

Can report Jannik Hansen on his way to…..the Canucks’ gym. Didn’t look like a guy rushing to gather stuff. #latescratch

— Iain MacIntyre (@imacVanSun) March 1, 2017

And Canucks management isn’t watching the game.

Still no sign of either Linden or Benning in their box.. Completely empty..

— Blake Price (@BlakePriceTSN) March 1, 2017

And then Mike Commodore, retired NHL player, tweeted this:

Jannik Hansen….#PackYourShit and fly your Danish ass to Chicago. Congratulations.

— Mike Commodore (@commie22) March 1, 2017

Cue speculation.

See also

• Armchair GM: Canucks should trade Jannik Hansen
• 8 NHL teams that should trade for Canucks' Jannik Hansen

Hansen, 30, was drafted in the ninth round of the 2004 NHL draft and has evolved as a player. Once thought of as a career third liner, he’s proving later in his career that he can be an effective player in a top-six forward role as well.

The Dane, who becomes an unrestricted free agent after the 2017-18 season, has a limited no-trade clause – meaning that Benning wouldn’t need his permission to trade him, provided a trading partner is on the list of teams Hansen is required to submit.