Talks about Antropov, Connolly

 Blog  Add comments
Feb 232009
 

There were a couple of trade rumors involving the Canucks going around this weekend. One involved Nik Antropov of the Toronto Maple Leafs; the other involved Tim Connolly of the Buffalo Sabres. Both names are intriguing but both rumors also came from everyone’s favorite (hah!) rumor-monger so you can judge them for credibility for yourself.

The first rumor had the Canucks giving up a prospect and a 1st round draft pick for Antropov. Now that may be what Burkie is asking for, but I can guarantee you that Mike Gillis hung up the phone right after that. As we all know, the Canucks prospect pool isn’t that deep (that’s another post for another day) so if Gillis is willing to dangle the team’s first-rounder – contrary to what he’s previously said – I doubt it’s for a 29-year old UFA-to-be.

That’s not to say that Antropov is a bad pickup. Far from it. He’s a 6’6″ RW who is on pace for career highs in goals, assists and points this season. It’s a tantalizing prospect having him line up next to the Sedins. Heck, imagine him lining up next to Sundin. The one caveat is that he hasn’t had played in a playoff game in 5 years, and when did, he didn’t have much success.

Connolly is a different story. I’m not quite sure why Buffalo would be trading him. With Ryan Miller injured, maybe the Sabres have become sellers. Connolly is a UFA at the end of the season, but they’re not that deep at center so I figured they would try to re-sign him. Or maybe Mike Milbury knows something we don’t know. Anyway, when he’s healthy, Connolly is a point-per-game player. I can see him between Pyatt and Bernier and forming a big and defensively-responsible third scoring line. The question marks of course are his health. Because of concussions and a rib injury, he’s only appeared in 76 games in the last 3 seasons.

Both would look good in a Canucks jersey, though personally, I’d steer clear of Connolly’s injuries. The obvious question is what they would give up to get them. With limited assets, I wouldn’t want to give up too much for either. Maybe a prospect and a middle-round draft pick, but definitely not a first-rounder.

  • Pingback: Antropov, Connolly future Canucks? | Vancouver Canucks Fan Blog

  • http://sabretoothshouse.blogspot.com Anne

    As a Sabres fan, I think its more likely that the Canucks will acquire Antropov. You don’t want Timmy’s injury history and we can’t afford to lose him right now.

    Although a Pyatt-Connolly-Bernier line would be hilariously ironic. What would it be called? The Discarded Sabres line? haha

  • http://sabretoothshouse.blogspot.com Anne

    As a Sabres fan, I think its more likely that the Canucks will acquire Antropov. You don’t want Timmy’s injury history and we can’t afford to lose him right now.

    Although a Pyatt-Connolly-Bernier line would be hilariously ironic. What would it be called? The Discarded Sabres line? haha

  • http://canucksconnected.blogspot.com/ CC

    Average teams really shouldn’t be trading drafts picks and prospects, and that’s what the Canucks are; an average team. Sure, the addition of either player will add a goal here and there, but is it worth gambling that we’ll get lucky in the playoffs when it means trading away our future? Because that’s what we’ll need to make a run. Like it or not, we need some luck.

    Plus, the belief that we may be helping the Leafs in any way makes my stomach hurt.

  • http://canucksconnected.blogspot.com/ CC

    Average teams really shouldn’t be trading drafts picks and prospects, and that’s what the Canucks are; an average team. Sure, the addition of either player will add a goal here and there, but is it worth gambling that we’ll get lucky in the playoffs when it means trading away our future? Because that’s what we’ll need to make a run. Like it or not, we need some luck.

    Plus, the belief that we may be helping the Leafs in any way makes my stomach hurt.

  • http://www.canuckshockeyblog.com J.J. Guerrero

    @ Anne – What can I say? We like ex-Sabres and ex-Leafs apparently.

    @ CC – I don’t mind trading away a bit of the future for a better chance at a Cup run. That said, I don’t want to mortgage it either.

    If we could get either player for a Pat White and a 3rd round draft pick, I think it’s a worthwhile risk. But getting one for a Michael Grabner a 1st round draft pick is a whole other story.

    BTW… If they stay as healthy as they are now, I think the Canucks are an above-average team. They’re not Detroit or San Jose, but they’re at least on par with Dallas or even Chicago. They’re better than Minnesota or Columbus. I think it’s worth giving up a 3rd round pick for an appearance in the 2nd round of the playoffs (or further).

  • http://www.canuckshockeyblog.com J.J. Guerrero

    @ Anne – What can I say? We like ex-Sabres and ex-Leafs apparently.

    @ CC – I don’t mind trading away a bit of the future for a better chance at a Cup run. That said, I don’t want to mortgage it either.

    If we could get either player for a Pat White and a 3rd round draft pick, I think it’s a worthwhile risk. But getting one for a Michael Grabner a 1st round draft pick is a whole other story.

    BTW… If they stay as healthy as they are now, I think the Canucks are an above-average team. They’re not Detroit or San Jose, but they’re at least on par with Dallas or even Chicago. They’re better than Minnesota or Columbus. I think it’s worth giving up a 3rd round pick for an appearance in the 2nd round of the playoffs (or further).