This seems to be a good trade for the Canucks. Derek Roy has the potential to improve this hockey team playing on the second line. If anything, it will give the Canucks an extra reliable player if any more injuries occur. Roy has tallied four goals while dishing out eighteen assists so far in the shortened 48 game season. Roy becomes a Unrestricted free agent come July 5th so it will be interesting to see what happens in the future.
When Ryan Kesler comes back, Roy will likely get bumped to the third line giving the Canucks strong depth at center. This will hopefully give Vancouver three lines that can give the team a goal at any point of a crucial game. As last year's Western Conference Quarter Final against the Kings proved, there is no such thing as too many goal scores.
Ideally, this is how I would make arrange the line combinations when everyone is healthy.
LW C RW
D. Sedin H. Sedin Burrows
Higgins Kesler Hansen
Raymond Roy Kassian
Jensen Lapierre Weise
This would leave J. Schroeder, T. Sestito and S. Pinizzotto as healthy scratches for the Canucks. It's important to note that David Booth isn't listed as a healthy scratch because he is out for the year. I feel Gillis needed to go out and get another depth chart player, preferably a left wing. I truly believe Jensen is not ready for intense playoff hockey this year. He has made big strides this year but playoff hockey is a totally different animal.
That being said, I fully expect S. Pinizzotto or T. Sestito to draw into the lineup against more physical teams.
Rest of the league
The rest of the league enjoyed a slow trade deadline day. However, the Columbus Bluejackets and Minnesota Wild came away as the big winners with the Bluejackets acquiring Marion Gaborik, while the Wild getting long time Sabers goal scorer Jason Pominville.
Jason Pominville will make the race for the Northwest Division even tighter. Both teams have 44 points, but the Wild have a game in hand. That game in hand goes tonight when the Wild travel to San Jose to challenge the Sharks. Puck drops at 7:30 at the HP Pavilion Center. Canucks fans should have a close eye on that game as the playoff race heats up.
