NHL Rumors: Vancouver Canucks Receiving Trade Offers

According to Chris Johnston of TSN, The Vancouver Canucks are open to moving back up goaltender Jaroslav Halak and their phones are rumored to be blowing up with trade calls. With the holiday freeze and hopefully the worst of COVID behind us, the trade market is heating up in a big way.

Halak's contract may be the key for his departure as he's entitled to some bonuses for playing 10 games this season and for his performance. The bonuses don't get implemented on the salary cap until next season, making things even more complicated.

According to CapFriendly:

He will be owed $1.25 million if he appears in 10 contests this season and will earn an additional $250,000 if he finishes the year with a save percentage above .905. The money would count against the Canucks' salary cap next year. As a result, Halak's contract only carries a cap hit of $1.5 million this season.

The Canucks have been rumored to be receiving calls from the likes of the Colorado Avalanche, Edmonton Oilers, Washington Capitals, Florida Panthers, and Pittsburgh Penguins. The 36-year-old netminder comes with some Stanley Cup playoff experience and his .915 save % this season has been impressive considering how bad the Canucks played early on this season.

Expect to see a move out of Vancouver as the goalie market will be heating up throughout January. Some contending teams are going to want to shore up their depth in time for a long playoff run.

Photo credit:  Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports