Ryan Kesler may not have many more days left with the Vancouver Canucks.
Rumblings that the Canucks were talking about moving a big name that we might not suspect started last week with Sportsnet’s Doug MacLean on the Team 1040.
Doug MacLean reporting what he is hearing is one thing, but when Bob McKenzie starts talking about it, you know it’s big:
McKenzie “I can tell you this, the Canucks are aggressively listening on Kesler and Edler”
— Hope_Smoke (@Hope_Smoke) February 26, 2014
That’s when we first got wind of the Canucks listening to offers, but the bombshell came from Louis Jean of TVA Sports in Quebec:
Sources say Ryan Kesler requested a trade some time ago & wants out of Vcr. Told #Canucks don’t want to trade him but may not have a choice.
— Louis Jean (@LouisJean_TVA) February 27, 2014
What would the Canucks be looking for? Over to you Louis:
May be tough to move Kesler before the deadline. Draft may be more likely. Vancouver would be looking for a hockey trade not picks.
— Louis Jean (@LouisJean_TVA) February 27, 2014
So this might not be a trade deadline deal (Kesler is injured at the moment with a broken hand, but it isn’t expected to be a long-term injury), but it appears Kesler’s days are numbered.
Kesler has a no trade clause, but can waive it if he wants out. If he wants out, I expect Mike Gillis to accomodate him. I also expect Kesler to only be willing to be traded to a select number of teams.
@SocialAssassin2 @PaulChapman_ @BrowntoBure just saying, trading Kesler = rebuild
— Rob The Hockey Guy (@RobTheHockeyGuy) February 26, 2014
If the Canucks do trade Kesler, it may be a defining moment for GM Mike Gillis. He can’t afford an underwhelming return for Kesler, who leads the team in goals and plays in every situation.