All signs point to the Vancouver Canucks being very active this summer in an attempt to rebuild on the fly. After acquiring Erik Gudbranson from the Panthers for center Jared McCann and two picks, rumours are quickly turning to the rest of the Canucks core.
On the backend, speculation continues to surround the future of pending UFA Dan Hamhuis. Alex Edler, once considered the key piece on the Canucks blueline, has also found his name in the rumour mill lately.
Up front, rumours suggest Jannik Hansen and Alex Burrows could be on their way out. In net, many wonder what future veteran goalie Ryan Miller has with the retooling club, although his age and salary will limit the number of potential trade partners.
Jim Benning has his work cut out for him this summer, and the future of the Canucks organization is very much in his hands.
Rumour tidbits
- Reports of an ongoing dialogue between the Oilers and Blackhawks have recently come to light. It's long been rumoured the Oilers are looking at a "cap swap" type deal which could involve Marcus Kruger or Bryan Bickell from Chicago, and Mark Fayne from Edmonton. The Oilers also looked at a Bickell+ for Nikitin swap offered at the deadline by the Blackhawks, who have talked to the Leafs, Panthers, Senators and Coyotes regarding Bickell as well.
- The Philadelphia Flyers have been connected to pending UFA winger Mikkel Boedker in recent weeks. Boedker spend the first 8 seasons of his NHL career with the Coyotes before getting dealt to the Avalanche at this year's trade deadline.
- You would assume Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock saved his job by making the Conference Finals this season, but let's wait and see...expectations are extremely high in St. Louis. There are still a few quiet rumblings that a coaching change isn't fully out of the question.
