Canucks forward Jannik Hansen will surely be a popular name as we approach the March 1st trade deadline. However, in an interview with Iain MacIntyre of the TheProvince.com, the veteran made it clear that he wants to stay in Vancouver.
“I have another year on my contract, so maybe a team that’s not in the playoffs would want me for next year,” he said. “It’s tough for me to figure out what’s going to happen…But I’ve made it very clear I’d prefer to stay here.”
The 30-year-old would be a worthwhile investment for contenders seeking some offensive reinforcement. While his five goals and seven assists through 23 games leaves plenty to be desired, the veteran is certainly capable of finding the back of the net. Last season, Hansen finished with a career-high 22 goals, making it his fifth-straight season that he’s netted at least 10 scores.
Hansen is also very affordable. The veteran is currently in the third season of a four-year, $10MM deal, and he carries a tolerable cap hit of $2.5MM. That means an interested team wouldn’t have to break the bank to acquire the forward.
On the flip side, as PHR’s Zach Leach pointed out earlier this month, Hansen’s injury concerns are real, as he’s missed a chunk of games over the past two seasons. Furthermore, the veteran has a limited no-trade clause and can block a trade to all but eight teams. This would surely complicate any potential deal.
“If the team comes to me, I give them my (trade list of eight teams) and then it’s in their hands,” Hansen explained. “I can’t veto a trade…If (Canucks GM Jim Benning) wants to trade me, he can trade me.”
Of course living in van is great for a big city compared to t dot or Detroit or even “Carolina”. But back to hockey, if Canucks don’t sell Hansen and burrows it’s Another year in the toilet in 2018