Canucks' GM Mike Gillis likes his team and is content not to make any moves. But as good as the team is, there is room for improvement. With the rash of injuries on defense, there was speculation that the Nucks were looking for help. But with the return of Dan Hamhuis from a concussion, they may have every D-man back in time for the playoffs. This gives them the option to improve their bottom 6 forwards. Alexander Bolduc has been in and out of the lineup with injuries. Cody Hodgson is a young player that can defnilitley fill in, but the Canucks may want an experienced player to centre the 4th line. Since Vancouver is right up against the cap, they'll need to dump some salary if they do fine tune their lineup.
Here's a look at some potential moves.

CANUCKS
 

Mason Raymond
 - Cap Hit: $2,550,000

Mason has been hampered with a wrist injury and is well back of his pace of 25 goals last year. His speed is his biggest asset so the Canucks would probably be hesitant to give him up. But if they want to land a big fish at the deadline, Raymond may be the guy to go.

Andrew Alberts
 - Cap Hit: $1,050,000

If the Canucks continue to get healthy, Alberts may get dealt. Having a defencemen making over 1 million sitting in the press box may not be the best use of their money.

Aaron Rome - 
Cap Hit: $750,000


Rome is a cheaper and a smaller version of Alberts. Since defensemen are always a premium at this time of year, they could get some assets for him.

Raffi Torres
 - Cap Hit:$1,000,000

At the price they got him for, it's unlikely that he'll be shipped off, unless it's part of a package for a pricier player, and they need some room. If they find an upgrade for him, they probably do it, as Torres has been inconsistent all year.

POTENTIAL PLAYERS
 

Colby Armstrong - Toronto Maple Leafs
 - Cap Hit: $3,000,000 

While Armstrong fits the bill for what the Canucks would be looking for, his salary is far too much for what he's worth. The Leafs are looking for a defensemen, so there is potential for a deal here. But wait, apparently Brian Burke doesn't talk to anyone in the Vancouver front office, so making any trade would be difficult. Good old Brian Burke...

Marty Reasoner - Florida Panthers
 - Cap Hit: $1,150,000 

A veteran who's good on face-offs and the penalty kill. He has little playoff experience but would be of interest to the Canucks.

Steve Bernier - Florida Panthers - 
Cap Hit: $2,000,000 

Say it isn't so! They wouldn't bring back "Hands of Stone" Bernier back would they? Well, the Panthers have placed him on waivers, so the Canucks would only be on the hook for a portion of his salary. They would have to shed someone if they picked him up, which they could do creatively, ie. by sending a player down to the minors during the hectic deadline day. Bernier would have instant chemistry with the team and hey, there are worse 4th liners in the league.

Jason Arnott - New Jersey Devils
 - Cap Hit: $4,500,000

Maybe a bit of a pipe dream with the big contract, and a no-trade clause, but he's a Stanley Cup winner, and big man for their bottom 6. The Canucks would be making a bold statement if they went after him.

Zenon Konopka - New York Islanders
 - Cap Hit: $600,000

A much more practical option for the 4th line. Konopka is cheap and brings some bona fide muscle. With the potential for meeting some bigger squads like Anaheim or San Jose in the playoffs, The Canucks could use some size up front.

Shawn Horcoff - Edmonton Oilers - 
Cap Hit: $5,500,000

Maybe the biggest pipe dream of them all, but Horcoff could fit anywhere from the 1st to the 4th line. As unlikely as it may be for the division rivals Vancouver and Edmonton to make a trade, GM Steve Tambellini has strong ties to Canucks organization, which makes this deal not a complete impossibility.
 

Article originally posted at Betfair.net