3 blockbuster trade packages for Detroit Red Wings to land Bo Horvat
By Bob Heyrman
Detroit Red Wings: Hypothetical trade offer number one for Bo Horvat.
The Vancouver Canucks are in a position to rebuild, but the word is they are hoping to do it on the fly. I can almost hear all the Red Wings fans reading this, snickering as they think about how Ken Holland’s rebuild on the fly worked out.
Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek reported Saturday night on the “Hockey Night in Canada” broadcast that the Canucks want “three players, including a top prospect.”
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman added.
"“There was a lot of talk about this in the last 24 to 48 hours,” Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman added. “I think the reason is — I’m getting the impression that Vancouver is separating the teams that are willing to consider that or continue down that level of conversation from the teams that won’t. I think that’s what’s kinda been going on here. Vancouver is figuring out who is really serious. I don’t believe there’s anything imminent at this time, but I do think the Canucks know who’s in the game and who isn’t.”"
Although rumors are just that, numerous insiders have mentioned ‘to keep an eye’ on the Detroit Red Wings.
It’s also been conveyed that the Canucks will be hoping to land a young center in a potential deal, so why not offer two?
It may seem steep to some, but you’ve got to give up something to get something. Michael Rasmussen, 23, would be considered the centerpiece of this deal (pun not intended). He’s excelling playing as a middle-six forward and brings plenty of versatility to the lineup with his checking ability and capability to play either the wing or center.
Rasmussen has totaled eight goals and 22 points over 44 games this season while averaging just a touch over 15 minutes of ice time per game. During even-strength play, Rasmussen is producing a career-high 49.7 Corsi For Percentage and 3.3 Relative Corsi For Percentage.
It took the 6-foot-6 forward a few years to hit his stride at the NHL level, but he’s made significant progress this season and should only continue to improve over the next few seasons. That being said, Rasmussen doesn’t currently project to be a 30-plus goal scorer, but his style of play still holds value.
We’ll talk about Joe Veleno a bit later.
Bob Duff of Detroit Hockey Now recently mentioned that the buzz surrounding Detroit’s prospects is beginning to fade. A fresh start might be in order for defense prospect Albert Johansson. Simon Edvinsson and William Wallinder are the two defense prospects garnering the most attention these days, while Johansson, Jared McIsaac, Donovan Sebrango, and Eemil Viro have since taken a backseat.
Johansson, 22, has recorded two goals and seven points this season for the Grand Rapids Griffins over 37 games while skating to a minus -8 rating.