The Sports Corner

Will Ohlund be dealt?

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun is reporting that while Sens GM Bryan Murray did not attend the recent GM’s conference looking to make a deal, his No. 1 priority is obtaining a puck-moving defenceman.

Garrioch also reports that Mattias Ohlund, who’s set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, could be on the Sens’ radar. Ohlund is the longest serving Canuck and was recently named an alternate captain.

While wearing an “A” doesn’t stop him from being moved, his no trade clause certainly will.

There has been much speculation about Ohlund’s long term future in Vancouver. While new GM Mike Gillis made numerous public comments about his meeting with the Sedin twins and his desire to open contract extension talks with them, he has left Ohlund out in the cold.

There are currently no talks between the parties about what will happen after this season and Ohlund told reporters that while he enjoys playing in Vancouver, he would only stay if it was right for both sides.

It is no secret that the Canucks are desparate for second line scoring, and when healthy, have one of the deepest bluelines in the NHL.

The recent announcement that Alex Edler had resigned for a further four years is also a sign that Mike Gillis is talking to his impending free agents and while the Twins are his priority, locking up his emerging young players is priority number two.

What does that mean for a veteran like Mattias Ohlund? Undoubtedly we will be hearing many more rumours involving his name as the season progresses, and as the Canucks continue to struggle scoring goals. Would a deal happen right now? It’s doubtful. With Sami Salo’s return still in the air, the Canucks would be reluctant to deal an experienced blueliner until they have some certainty Salo is back in the lineup without any problems.

It also begs the question of what the Sens would offer the Canucks in return.

The name that is likely to be mentioned most is Antoine Vermette, a regular in Canucks rumours since his brief holdout to start this season. It is more likely the Canucks, if they can convince Ohlund to waive his no trade clause, would look to package Ohlund for a bigger name scoring forward than Vermette.

So the chances of this rumour happening are remote at this early stage of the season, but brace yourself for the rumours to intensify as the days go by.