NHL Rumors: Canucks interested in Jonathan Drouin, Ryan Johansen

Vancouver Canucks are interested in acquiring two of the biggest names on trade market. 

The NHL Trade Deadline is on Monday February 29. There are a lot of names being discussed in various trade rumors and two names that are being discussed within the league are Tampa Bay Lightning forward Jonathan Drouin and Columbus Blue Jackets forward Ryan Johansen.

Sportsnet reports that the Vancouver Canucks General Manager Jim Benning is investigating what it would take to acquire one of them and had discussions with Columbus General Manager Jarmo Keklainen and Tampa General Manager Steve Yzerman.

“The prices for both players are really high. From our perspective, maybe we don’t have the prospect depth at certain positions that they’re looking to fill to make those types of trades,” Benning told Vancouver’s TSN 1040 on Tuesday (via Today’s Slapshot).

The Blue Jackets and Canucks are confusing to their fans. Both franchises cannot seem to figure out where they stand. Are they trying to rebuild? Are the Canucks trying to bolster their roster with the hopes of going deep in the Stanley Cup playoffs?

After 41 games played, the Jackets only have 15 wins to their record and are the cellar dweller of the entire National Hockey League. They fired their head coach Todd Richards, in October and replaced him with coach John Tortorella.

On the west coast, the Vancouver Canucks are tied for fourth place in the Pacific Division with the Anaheim Ducks, 40 games into the campaign and are only six points ahead of the Columbus hockey club.

Both teams could use a shakeup. Don’t forget the Tampa Bay Lightning forward, Drouin, who requested a trade in November and only recently let his wishes be known publicly. The Lightning already have issues to figure out with their possible unrestricted free agent, Steven Stamkos, who could write his own ticket to play with another franchise next fall.

Exciting times are ahead, prior to the deadline.