NHL Rumors: Vancouver Canucks – Gaudette, Vanek, and Gudbranson
The writing appears to be on the wall for pending free agent Erik Gudbranson.
On the Vancouver Canucks …

Rick Dhaliwal: Canucks head scout Judd Brackett was on Sportsnet 650 talking about unsigned Canucks prospect Adam Gaudette: “Anytime I’ve spoken to Adam Gaudette, he’s excited to begin his pro career. Feel confident that Gaudette will sign with the team.”

TSN Radio Vancouver: Jason Botchford on TSN 1040 on the Canucks potentially trading young defensemen: “When you look at this team, I don’t think they’re in a position to trade a 24-year-old defenseman. But if someone comes in and pays big, I don’t think they’d say no. But I don’t think that’s going to happen.”

TSN Radio Vancouver: Pierre LeBrun on Thomas Vanek: “I think he’s been decent this year, but the reality is teams are absolutely concerned about what happened in Montreal with him…where he went to a no-show in the playoffs. It hurt his market value.”

TSN Radio Vancouver: Pierre LeBrun on Erik Gudbranson: “My understanding is are starting to get calls from top contenders. Which is normal, teams are trying to lay the groundwork..to act on some conversations.” … “But my sense is I don’t believe the have made a final call on if they’re going to move him. I think they’re going to circle back to his representatives.”

Chris Nichols of Fan Rag Sports: Elliotte Friedman was on Sportsnet 650 talking about the Vancouver Canucks and pending free agent Erik Gudbranson. wonder if Gudbranson is just waiting for a trade to happen with five weeks to go before the deadline. On who might be interested.

“Put it this way: I would assume that Toronto has at least called and asked about it. It wouldn’t surprise me if somebody like Tampa has called and asked about it. I wouldn’t be surprised if L.A., which is I think looking for a defenseman, wouldn’t be surprised if they’ve called and asked about it.”

thinks there are some teams that could be holding on to trade assets in case the Arizona Coyotes makes Oliver Ekman-Larsson available. Gudbranson may not be a teams top choice, but they want to know the price.