The Vancouver Canucks didn’t want to wait until after the playoffs to make a trade as they announced today that the team has acquired Erik Gudbranson and a 2016 fifth round pick from the Florida Panthers in exchange for Jared McCann, a 2016 second round pick and a 2016 fourth round pick.
The Panthers and Gudbranson had settled on a one-year deal earlier this month. Dale Tallon, at the time Florida’s general manager, called the defensemen “an important part of our young core.”
So it’s McCann, a 2016 2nd and 2016 4th to #FlaPanthers for Gudbranson and 2016 5th. No salary retained.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) May 26, 2016
Benning: “It was a steep price from our end, really liked Jared as a player.”
— Ryan Henderson (@RJHenderson7) May 26, 2016
Erik Gudbranson: 6’5″ 216-pound defenseman
During the 2015-16 season Gudbranson collected 2 goals, 7 assists and 49 penalty minutes in 64 games with the Florida Panthers. He ranked third on the team in hits (150), fourth in blocked shots (73) and fourth in average ice time per game (20:06). He also appeared in six playoff games this season where he led all Panthers defensemen in ice time (26:54) and ranked second in blocked shots (8).
Drafted in 2010 in the third round, Gudbranson had spent his entire NHL career with the Panthers organization. In 309 NHL games, the defensemen has compiled 11 goals and 32 assists during his five years in the organization.
He had also helped Canada win a silver medal as a member of the team during the 2011 World Junior Championship. Gudbranson also won gold at the Ivan Hlinka Tournament in 2009
Benning says Gudbranson brings size and strength and can make a good first pass. A “high-character person.” A good fit to play with Hutton.
— Jason Brough (@JasonPHT) May 26, 2016
While parting with a young player such as McCann after one year can be considered a risky move, it was one that general manager Jim Benning chose to make. The Canucks were in need of a defensemen who could play in their top four and acquiring Gudbranson gives them that option.
Jared McCann: Blazing Speed
In McCann, the Panthers get a 19-year-old centre who has just finished his first season in the NHL. McCann had nine goals and nine assists for 18 points in 69 games fore the Canucks. He was drafted in the 1st round, 24th overall, by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2014 NHL Draft.
LWOS prospects guru Ben Kerr had this to say about McCann last summer:
McCann is an outstanding skater. He has great acceleration and superb top end speed. He is amongst the quickest players in the OHL. His ability to change speeds can be used to fool defenders. McCann loves to turn up the speed at the last second and cut to the middle of the ice, leaving an often flat-footed defender in his wake. McCann combines this with good agility and edgework, along with top notch stick-handling which makes him incredibly dangerous off the rush. He also has very good balance, and is strong on his skates, making him very difficult to knock off the puck, helping him in board battles, and allowing McCann to fight through checks to get to the front of the net.
McCann has excellent vision and passing skills, and the ability to make his linemates better. He cycles extremely well waiting for teammates to find an opening, and then hitting them with the pass. If given an opening he is willing to take the puck through the high traffic areas and to the front of the net. McCann also has a quick shot, and can get it off very quickly due to a quick release. He is willing to battle in front of the net and in the corners, and plays a gritty game.
McCann has already developed a strong-two way game and has become a strong penalty killer for the Greyhounds, as well as the centre who plays against the other team’s best line every night. He brings his non-stop work ethic in all three zones, and is extremely gritty. He shows a dogged determination to take the puck off of his opponents, and battles every step of the way. McCann is a very well-rounded player already, and shows rare defensive maturity for an 18-year-old.
Main Photo: SUNRISE, FL – APRIL 22: Erik Gudbranson #44 of the Florida Panthers clears the puck against the New York Islanders during the second overtime period in Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the BB&T Center on April 22, 2016 in Sunrise, Florida. The Islanders defeated the Panthers 2-1 in double overtime. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
