MIKE CASSESE
By demoting top prospect Cody Hodgson Friday, the Canucks have again left themselves without a natural centreman for the fourth line. It has been a trouble spot all season, and given their new-found cap space, the Canucks may well fill the role via trade.
One name to consider is Marty Reasoner.
The Canucks inquired about Reasoner last season, when the checking centre was with the Atlanta Thrashers, but didn't like the price (a high draft pick). The Canucks were without a second-round pick, and they sent their third-rounder to Carolina for defenceman Andrew Alberts, so the talks went nowhere.
But Reasoner, now with the Florida Panthers, is available again, and he'd sure look good on Vancouver's fourth line. The 34-year-old stands to be an unrestricted free agent this summer, and makes just $1.2-million, so he isn't expensive.
Canucks GM Mike Gillis and Florida GM Dale Tallon got together for that blockbuster deal at the entry draft last June, so there's a working relationship there. And the Canucks had a scout at the Blues-Panthers game earlier this week.