Vancouver, (BC) - It did not take long for General Manager Greg Byron to shake up the Canucks roster. After one week of being the team's GM, he has made 4 trades. Most of the trades have not been big ones but they have been important ones that will give Vancouver more experience and depth. Lets take a closer look at what Byron has done thus far;
Trade #1
To Florida: Geoff Sanderson
To Vancouver: Matt Cullen, Lyle Odelein
Analysis: This trade made sense for a lot of reasons. Sanderson is a scorer but was behind Daniel Sedin and Naslund on the depth chart, he was making too much money and was due to become an unrestricted free agent at the season's end. Odelein solidifies the defense by becoming the 6th defenseman. Odelein is good defensively and should add some quality experience.
Trade #2
To Nashville: VAN 5th RD (2004)
To Vancouver: Robert Schnabel
Analysis: A very small deal that brings the Canucks a big, strong defenseman but it is entirely for depth purposes. Schnabel will battle Bergevin to be the Canucks 7th defenseman.
Trade #3
To New Jersey: Brent Sopel
To Vancouver: Colin White, NJ 3rd RD (2005)
Analysis: Sopel was criticized last year for not being physical enough and for not playing with enough intensity. Sopel is a good offensive minded defenseman but with Jovo and Ohlund contributing to the offense, there was no need to keep Sopel around. The Canucks get back exactly what they have needed, a nasty, hard-hitting defenseman that can play 20 minutes a game.
Trade #5
To Pittsburgh: VAN 6th RD (2004)
To Vancouver: Kelly Buchberger, Jon Sim
Analysis: Another deal made for depth and experience. Sim can come in and challenge for the 4th line left wing job and at the worst he becomes a nice spare. Buchberger brings all kinds of experience to the team which will prove to be very valuable down the road. Right now it doesn't look like Kelly will make the starting roster but again, he would make a very good spare.
At this point the Canucks appear to be pretty deep at every position. It is just a question of quality now. Certainly there are still some holes in the Canucks lineup that will have to be looked at.
- The Province -