Canucks Potential Trade Partners for Kuzmenko

TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported Vancouver Canucks forward Andrei Kuzmenko is drawing trade interest. However, he adds the organization prioritizes re-signing the forward as he will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

“What’s interesting, of course, is that teams are calling,” LeBrun said. “Why wouldn’t they be? He’s got a cheap cap hit. Teams that are going for it, that are a contender, have almost no cap room – he would fit the bill both in terms of what he can do offensively and the fact he doesn’t take up a lot of room on the cap.”

Although the Canucks are attempting to re-sign the 26-year-old, they are better off acquiring pieces from playoff teams instead. The organization will likely trade captain Bo Horvat before the trade deadline but should be able to acquire more in a trade involving Kuzmenko. He has a cap hit of $950,000 and has 17 goals and 38 points in 42 games. As for what the Canucks want in a trade, president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford recently said the team is looking for young NHL players first and draft picks second.

The Jets have two players the Canucks will be interested in adding for the Russian forward. Cole Perfetti will be a player the organization would ask for in return. The 21-year-old has played 58 NHL games, scoring six goals and posting 33 points. This season, he has six goals and 26 points in 40 games. If the Jets are looking to boost their top six, swapping Perfetti out for Kuzmenko would make sense. If the Jets aren’t willing to part ways with the forward, the Canucks could switch their focus to adding Ville Heinola.

The blueliner has split time between the NHL and the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Manitoba Moose this season. He’s posted one point in nine NHL games while posting one goal and 11 points in 14 AHL games. The 21-year-old defenceman will be a welcomed addition to the Canucks’ blue line.

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The Jets also have a few prospects they can offer to the Canucks. Chaz Lucius and Rutger McGroarty are two of Winnipeg’s top prospects. Lucius, the 2021 first-round pick, has played 12 games with the Moose this season, scoring two goals and posting five points. He also played in seven games for Team USA at the 2023 World Junior Championships, scoring five goals and posting seven points in seven games. McGroarty, the 2022 first-round pick, has played 22 games with the University of Michigan, scoring nine goals and posting 20 points. Otherwise, the Jets can throw in their 2023 first-round draft pick as well.

Canucks Should Trade Kuzmenko

The Canucks have a lot more options for trade partners in a deal for Kuzmenko than other players on the team. The forward can play top-six minutes and has a low cap hit. The Stars, Rangers and Jets fit the description of teams that are likely interested in adding the Russian forward. Additionally, they are teams with the pieces the Canucks would be interested in adding.