Canucks have 3 wingers that the Golden Knights could use

The Vegas Golden Knights announced last week that captain Mark Stone will be indefinitely stepping down from the roster following back surgery. The injury likely means the forward is out for the season. As a result, the organization will likely need a winger to replace their captain, and the Vancouver Canucks could be a trading partner.

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The Canucks are reshuffling their roster and are ready to trade several players on their team. Among them are wingers JT Miller, Brock Boeser and Conor Garland. All three players could be useful for the Golden Knights and help the club with a potential Stanley Cup run this postseason.

J T Miller

Miller is the biggest name the Golden Knights can acquire from the Canucks. Coming off a career year, he scored 32 goals and had 99 points in 80 games. As a result, the organization rewarded him with a seven-year, $56 million contract beginning next season. However, after a poor start to the season, the Canucks are open to trading almost every player on their roster. Elias Pettersson is billed as her only untouchable, while it takes a mammoth offer to trade for Quinn Hughes. Miller is one of the top players the club is willing to sell and the Golden Knights are the perfect partner to make that happen.

JT Miller, Vancouver Canucks (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Vegas is poised to contend for the Stanley Cup this season. Although Miller isn’t having a great season, scoring 18 goals and 44 points in 49 games, he would be a prolific top-six forward for them. In addition, they could add an offensively productive player to help them during their cup run this season and in the coming seasons. However, most teams are unwilling to trade his eight-year contract. As such, the return won’t be high, and the Canucks will likely have to keep part of his salary in the deal.

Brock Bad

Unless Miller is someone the Golden Knights don’t want to add, Boeser will be a good option on the wing. The soon-to-be 26-year-old is in the first year of his three-year, $19.95 million contract. After struggling to produce consistently over the past two seasons with 32 goals and 76 points in 112 games, the Canucks are looking to trade the 2015 first-round draft pick. The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta reported that trade talks with Boeser resumed over All-Star weekend.

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“Some information from All-Star Weekend indicates that (the Canucks) are very heavily involved in trade talks with Brock Boeser. It sounds like that’s progressing,” Pagnotta said. “The last time we were told something was coming was ‘sooner than later’ and it ended up being three days. I don’t think it will be that quick. I still think there’s a little work to be done in terms of his future but there are definitely talks, they’re heating up.”

Brock Boeser, Vancouver Canucks (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Several teams are interested in the forward, including the Minnesota Wild, New Jersey Devils and Washington Capitals. The Golden Knights should join this group and try to add the right goalscorer. Boeser could use a fresh start and joining a contender could rejuvenate the striker and his shot on target. Pagnota adds that the Canucks are likely to keep part of Boeser’s contract if they move or take a contract back if there is a trade

Conor garland

The Canucks are interested in selling Garland. The Golden Knights could add a center six winger who would provide the team with secondary points. Garland is in the second year of his five-year, $24.750 million contract. Its cap hit of $4.950 million is tradable, but it’s not producing at that expected rate. He has nine goals and 24 points in 48 games this season.

He was able to bounce back under new coach Rick Tocchet, playing some of his best hockey games with him as the Arizona Coyotes’ bench manager. Perhaps Garland can also see an improvement in his production with Bruce Cassidy as his head coach with the Golden Knights.

Canucks could swap out a winger to Golden Knights

Stone’s injury has given the Canucks an opportunity to discuss a trade with the Golden Knights for one of their wingers. Miller is the best option to replace Stone as he could match his performance but he has a big contract. Meanwhile, Boeser could be a buy-low option for the organization as he needs a change of scenery. Finally, Garland is a good addition to the mid-six and can provide the club with secondary points.

Sartaaj has been watching hockey for over 15 years and reporting on the Vancouver Canucks for The Hockey Writers.

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