Things have not been going well lately for Radim Vrbata. The 34-year-old veteran has stagnated on offence, scoring just once in the last 17 games, on pace to score only 18 this season, a far cry from his 31 goals last year. With the Canucks postseason chances slipping away, the team may try to get all they can for the winger.
As the trade deadline approaches, some playoff contenders may be more willing to pick up the pending unrestricted free agent for a high draft pick or prospect, something the Canucks would be very happy about. Based on his performance and All-Star appearance last year, it is clear he is talented, and may just need another team to bring out the play he is capable of.
Along with Vrbata's poor play, Vancouver's youth movement might also play into Vrbata leaving the team by the deadline. Replacing him with young talent such as Emerson Etem, Jake Virtanen, or Hunter Shinkaruk could be a wise move for the club, according to The Hockey Writers' Markus Meyer. A trade now would not affect the team much in the short term, but could be a great long-term move to focus on draft picks and younger talented wingers.
"You know it's out there, but you don't have too much control over it," Vrbata said about a possible trade. "You have some protection in the contract (a modified no-trade clause), but all you can do is play and see how it shapes up. I signed for two seasons (at $10 million) and have no desire to leave, even though this season is not going as well. You sign up for something, you have to deal with the good and the bad. If it (a trade) happens, it happens, and you go from there," according to the Province's Ben Kuzma.
Starting the year on the Vancouver first line, he has since been demoted to fourth line.
The Vancouver Canucks are still in the playoff race, but the playoff bar is most likely going to be between 92 and 94 points, and sitting at 52 points, it is still possible, but very improbable they will get in.
