When the Vancouver Canucks made a splash by acquiring centre Elias Lindholm from the Calgary Flames on Jan. 31, many assumed that would be the club’s biggest swing ahead of the trade deadline.
But new reporting suggests a bigger move could still be in the cards, one that could see Lindholm moved a second time this season.
As first reported by Chris Johnston of The Athletic and confirmed by Elliotte Friedman on Sportsnet Central Tuesday night, the Canucks are discussing a possible trade for scoring winger Jake Guentzel of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
In order to make the money work, the Canucks could also flip Lindholm to the Boston Bruins, according to Friedman and Johnston.
“They’re trying to find a way to make it work,” Friedman said of the Canucks’ interest in Guentzel. “I don’t know how I would characterize the horse race in terms of (which team) leads and who doesn’t. But I do think they’re in on it, I think they’ve discussed it with Pittsburgh.
“For example, if they do do something with Pittsburgh, Boston and themselves, where all three teams are involved — Lindholm goes one way, Guentzel goes another way and other (players) are involved to get to Pittsburgh — I do think that’s a possibility and potentially has been discussed.
“Again, I’d hate to handicap it but (the Canucks) are definitely in (on Guentzel), and they’re trying to be creative.”
The Canucks are leading the Western Conference with 87 points but have slumped since acquiring Lindholm, going 7-6-2 in 15 games. Lindholm has also struggled since the trade, scoring just four goals and six points with Vancouver, and he is in the midst of a seven-game pointless streak.
Lindholm briefly caused a stir when he left the bench during Tuesday’s Canucks-Kings game, with some wondering if a trade was in the works. However, he did eventually return to the game after getting stitches for a cut.
After the game, Lindholm told Sportsnet’s Iain MacIntyre that he was not aware of the latest reports but that he knows he can play better than he has.
“Obviously, I want to help the team more (than I have),” Lindholm said. “But this is the way it is right now and I’ve just got to work hard. If the team is winning, we’re fine.”
Canucks GM Patrik Allvin declined an interview request from MacIntyre but did issue the following statement through the club’s communications department.
“The coaches and players have put in the work this year, so we owe it to them to explore each and every option,” the statement said. “Trades are not easy to make but we are willing to do what is necessary to help our team.”
Guentzel, who has a modified no-trade clause, is in the final year of his contract with a $6-million cap hit while Lindholm, also a pending UFA, carries a cap hit of $4.85 million.
Canucks management are familiar with Guentzel because Vancouver’s president of hockey operations, Jim Rutherford, was the Pittsburgh GM when Guentzel broke into the NHL.
With 22 goals and 54 points in 50 games this season, Guentzel is among the more impactful forwards expected to be moved before Friday’s trade deadline.
