No, the Canucks shouldn’t trade for Steven Stamkos

The Vancouver Canucks have been lacking a second-line centre ever since Filip Chytil went down with an injury earlier this season. And even before that, they made it clear that in a perfect world, they’d have gotten an upgrade on Chytil during the offseason. With Chytil’s future questionable, the Canucks have once again been rumoured to be interested in several centers on the trade market, including Nashville Predators forward Steven Stamkos.

While Stamkos would arguably be an upgrade over a healthy Chytil (and there is a strong argument to be made in Chytil’s favour there), a trade involving the 35-year-old would not be worth it long-term for the Canucks. It’s become painfully clear that Stamkos’s better days are behind him. The former Tampa Bay Lightning captain has struggled so far this season after a 53-point season last year. Through 13 games this season, Stamkos has only recorded two points, while in the second season of a four-year contract worth $8 million per season.

While it’s possible that a trade to the Canucks would help Stamkos rejuvenate his offensive game; it’s a long shot and simply too risky for the Canucks when you consider Stamkos’ age, contract, and play style. Stamkos is on a decline that is likely to continue for the rest of his contract. The last thing the Canucks need is another large contract weighing against their cap, especially as they prepare to have as much cap space available as possible for their pitch to keep Quinn Hughes in Vancouver. The final year of Stamkos’ contract would line up with the first of Hughes’s new contract, which could make things tougher for the Canucks to navigate.

Additionally, what the Canucks really need is a play-driving centre. Even if he could put up some points, Stamkos isn’t someone who fits that billing. At best, Stamkos would be an interesting name but an awkward fit in the Canucks’ lineup.

Regardless of the Canucks’ lack of current high-end depth at the centre position, the team would be better off saving assets in order to acquire a long-term solution at centre. When you consider the assets it will take to acquire Stamkos, and the fact that the Canucks seem destined to fight for a wild card spot, it doesn’t make sense to mortgage the future for an aging player like Stamkos. 

What the Canucks should do is save their prospects and draft picks until they can acquire or develop a player who will fit in as the team’s second-line centre long-term. In the past, players like Marco Rossi and Martin Necas have come up as potential targets for the Canucks. While deals for those players never materialized, the Canucks should aim to bring in players similar to those in age and skill. 

The other option for the Canucks is to play the long game and save assets and instead opt to draft and develop a centre. The team recently drafted Braeden Cootes, and after a strong showing in training camp, management has shown belief he could develop behind his ceiling into a top six centre. If the Canucks opt to keep their draft pick season, the team will likely look to bolster their cupboard of centre prospects, in the hope they will be able to snag their future second line centre without having to expend a large number of assets.

If the Canucks are to trade away picks and prospects for a top six centre, it’s important they acquire one that can fit in long-term with the team, and Stamkos just isn’t that player anymore, so the Canucks should stay as far away from Stamkos as possible.