The Vancouver Canucks have moved defenceman Jordie Benn to the Winnipeg Jets, it was announced today. Coming to Vancouver from the Jets is a sixth-round pick.
It’s a 6th round pick coming back for Jordie Benn, I’m told. #Canucks
— Thomas Drance (@ThomasDrance) April 12, 2021
Winnipeg Jets Aquire Jordie Benn from Vancouver Canucks
Benn leaves the Canucks after re-establishing himself with the team from a shaky 2019-20. In his first year with Vancouver, he struggled to replicate the previous year’s success with the Montreal Canadiens. He lost his spot in the lineup to a less-heralded free agent, Oscar Fantenberg. But this year he started beside Quinn Hughes, being the young sophomore’s best partner. Unfortunately for Benn, the signing of Travis Hamonic pushed him down the lineup as Hamonic has taken his place beside Hughes.
Still, Benn doesn’t just have a physical element to his game. He has some sneaky-good offence as well, getting 5 goals and 22 points in his last year with the Habs. So far this year, he’s put up one goal and nine points in 31 games. That’s a decided improvement over last year’s 44 games with just one goal and seven points. He’s getting no power-play time, but around two minutes per game short-handed, and over a minute less total ice time compared to last season, too. His point totals are never what a team trading for him is looking for, but it is a nice bonus.
What This Means For the Future
With Benn out, Travis Hamonic is given the prime spot beside Hughes for the rest of the season. This could presage the re-signing of Hamonic, though there is a bit of a pile-up of Canucks prospects on the blue line. If Vancouver wants a veteran there – and he remains affordable – then Hamonic returning seems a no-brainer. It’s a spot that Jett Woo is destined for, but likely not next year. Jalen Chatfield, on the other hand, could well step into the role after getting his feet wet this season. The rest of this year will show how confident the Canucks are in their young defenders.
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