Rumor: Canucks and Ducks Close to Multi-Player Trade

The Vancouver Canucks and Anaheim Ducks have been talking trade for weeks. The two teams have been discussing swapping some struggling forwards and it appears money is the biggest issue standing in their way of completion.

According to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, the two sides have discussed trading Jake Virtanen and Danton Heinen, however the Ducks want the Canucks to also take forward Derek Grant in the deal.

Grant is a 30-year-old forward who is signed for the next two seasons at $1.5 million. The Ducks signed the British Columbia native before this season started and it appears they are getting cold feet on the contract. Grant has yet to score this season and has only recorded four assists in four games. Anaheim is likely selling the idea of Grant playing closer to home may spark some production. Last season he scored 15 goals in 56 games between the Ducks and Philadelphia Flyers.

As for Virtanen, he's long been rumored on his way out of Vancouver and it's a touch surprising he hasn't yet been dealt. It only appears to be a matter of time for the 24-year-old and playing hockey in California sounds like a perfect change of scenery for the player. So far this season Virtanen has scored once and has no assists in 21 games.

Heinen has appeared in 18 games for the Ducks and has scored three times and recorded three assists. The native of Langley, British Columbia would love to head back to western Canada to hit the reset button on his career.

The NHL's trade deadline is April 12th. Expect to see an announcement between these two teams sometime before then.