According to Pierre LeBrun of the Athletic , sources say that Vancouver Canucks GM Jim Benning has spoken with Loui Eriksson’s agent J.P. Barry about a trade. Or, at least about trying to trade him.
Eriksson is a $6 million cap hit this year and next, which is scaring away a number of NHL teams, but there is a potential silver lining to any possible deal. The 35-year-old winger is only owed $1 million in real cash this year and $4 million next and then his contract expires at the end of the 2021-22 season. Therefore, if a team that doesn’t have cap issues is interested, he’s really only a $2.5 million third-line winger.
Eriksson does have a 15-team no-trade list but it is believed he’d welcome a deal as long as it gave him a chance to play a more regular role elsewhere. At the same time, moving Eriksson frees up the money Vancouver wants and needs to extend players like Jacob Markstrom, Tyler Toffoili and Chris Tanev.
Who Might Be Interested in Eriksson?
LeBrun tossed out a couple of team names that could be candidates here. First, he mentioned bottom payroll teams like the Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings and Ottawa Senators. Specifically, in Ottawan, the contracts of Ryan Callahan and Clarke MacArthur have come off the books. If the Senators can convince the Canucks to throw in another piece, they might be enticed to talk a deal.
Unfortunately, the Canucks can’t use their first- and second-round picks this year as bait. They don’t have any.
Eriksson is far removed from the player he once was in Dallas, but that doesn’t mean he’s not useful. He’s a smart and experienced player, who, if you have room for on your roster, could surprise with more responsibility.
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