3 players the Vancouver Canucks need to trade after elimination

Due to the flat salary cap, the Vancouver Canucks need to clear some salary. Who should they move?

The Vancouver Canucks have a lot to be proud of despite losing to the Vegas Golden Knights in the second round of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs. They took a huge step forward this year and it’s safe to say nobody’s going to be taking them lightly next season. For better or for worse, they’re a marked team.

Even with a bright future, the Canucks need to make several moves this offseason. In a year, star forward Elias Pettersson and star defenseman Quinn Hughes will need new contracts. Both of them should be expected to sign long-term deals. If the Canucks can lock up both for $15 million combined, that’s a huge win.

The problem is the Canucks don’t have too much cap space. According to CapFriendly, Vancouver’s already dedicating over $42 million to nine players after next season. Add in the extensions for Hughes and Pettersson and suddenly there could be a problem.

To become Stanley Cup contenders, the Canucks are going to have to make some moves. They need more depth just about everywhere. To do that, they’re going to have to make some trades. Here are three players the Canucks should trade this offseason.

3. Sven Baertschi

This one will be easier said than done, as Sven Baertschi has gone through waivers several times and has a $3.366 million cap hit for next season before becoming a free agent. However, the Canucks could still find a suitor for the disgruntled forward since he only has a year left on his contract because his salary for next season is just $2.4 million.

The Canucks should try to talk the Ottawa Senators or New Jersey Devils into taking Baertshci. They’ll probably have to include a draft pick to do it. But it’ll be worth it because they’ll clear up some much-needed cap space.