NHL Trade Rumors: Canucks & Flyers Talking Swap

The Vancouver Canucks have already made a big splash on the trade market by acquiring center Elias Lindholm from the Calgary Flames. But the blueline is now their focus, and talks are picking up with other teams around the league.  

Insider David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period is reporting that Vancouver GM Patrik Allvin is in discussions with his Philadelphia Flyers counterpart, Daniel Briere, as the two spoke again this past week.

The belief is the conversation centred around Philly's defenseman: Rasmus Ristolainen, Sean Walker and Nick Seeler.

Walker and Seeler have been two of the most talked-about D-men on the trade market all season, and there are plenty of teams in pursuit. Both are pending unrestricted free agents. 

Seeler is coming off a two-year, $1.55 million contract, and with his performance this season has outplayed that number. Walker, 29, is wrapping up a four-year, $10.6 million deal, with a cap hit of $2.65 million. Both have been key pieces of the Flyers' blueline this season, each averaging career-highs in ice time.

With 19 points in 53 games, Walker is averaging 19:30 playing time a night, while Seeler is just a tick under 17 minutes a game. 

Unlike those two, however, Ristolainen still has three years remaining on his deal, and the Flyers will have to retain some of his hefty $5.1 million cap hit to get a trade done with the Canucks, or anyone else. The former top-10 selection (No. 8 overall, 2013 NHL Draft) has picked up his play of late, and has become a bit of a buzzy name on the trade circuit. 

The Canucks would have to compete with at least one other Canadian team in a bid for Ristolainen, according to recent rumors. 

Vancouver made one trade for a D-man earlier this season already, acquiring Nikita Zadorov from the Flames, but they're still hoping to fortify the back end a bit further.

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