NHL Rumors: Canucks Forward Likely On The Move

If the Vancouver Canucks are unable to get back into the playoff picture, they will likely trade Tyler Motte, according to Frank Seravalli.

Motte is in the final year of his current contract, so it makes sense that he could be on the move as a rental. In 36 games this season, the 26-year-old has five goals, six assists, and a plus-2 rating. Overall, it's been a solid year for the bottom-six forward, so there certainly should be teams interested in acquiring him.

Motte is not a star, but he is a very good depth forward who can be utilized on the penalty kill. With that, he also has provided solid secondary scoring for the Canucks over the last handful of seasons, too. His ability to play all three forward positions shouldn't be overlooked, either, as that certainly comes in handy when injuries arise.

Although it wouldn't be surprising to see the Canucks trade Motte before the deadline passes, we also shouldn't rule out the possibility of him receiving a contract extension. Vancouver should at least consider this possibility, as he has been very effective for them in his current role. However, if a deal isn't finalized before the deadline, a trade will become very likely.