Rumor: Canucks & Bruins Talking Trade

The Vancouver Canucks are listening to trade offers on forward Jake Virtanen and according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, the Boston Bruins have been one team that has shown interest.

The 24-year-old, former 6th overall pick needs a change of scenery and has been linked to several teams in the past few weeks. Some have suggested perhaps the Canucks and Calgary Flames can make a one-for-one deal for Sam Bennett, as both players are making the exact same money. Plus the 'all-Canadian' trade would mean each team could insert the player into their lineup immediately.

While the 'Canadian Trade' is certainly ideal at this point for both management teams, the Canucks are going to field all their offers before landing on a destination. 

Some are even surprised Virtanen is still with the Canucks after general manager Jim Benning's comments late 2020:

With him, it’s that consistency you’re looking for shift in and shift out. I think Jake’s come a long way these last couple of years. We’ve seen glimpses of what he can be.

It can be frustrating. But I’ve just seen too many examples where if you’re not patient with those guys and move them on, he ends up being that power forward that scores 25 goals for somebody else. We’ve put a lot of time in his development and we’re hoping he can continue to mature and get better and be that player for us.

Imagine saying this the day you re-sign the player for two years at $2.55 million per season. It also is salt in the wounds of Canucks fans as Benning decided Virtanen over Tyler Toffoli and we all know how that's working out.

Jake Virtanen is likely getting traded from the Vancouver Canucks. It just Jim Benning may not be around long enough to sign off on the deal.

Photo credit:   Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire