Flames and Canucks Make a Deal for Two Young Talents

Just a year ago, the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks put together a deal that sent a pick in the second round to Cowtown for the rights to Sven Baetschi.

Twelve months later, the teams were at it again hooking up for another high-profile trade.

Late Monday the Canucks sent Hunter Skinkaruk a 21 year old forward to Calgary for Markus Granlund a 22-year old center.

Shinkaruk is a native of Calgary and currently is signed through the end of 2018, is seventh in goals in the AHL with 21 and he led Utica Comets this season with 39 points in 45 games.

That is a huge improvement over a solid campaign last season where he scored 16 goals and has 31 points across 74 games.

Granlund scored 25 goals a pair of season’s ago but has not been able remain with the Flames and split time between the AHL and NHL since coming from Finland during 2013.

He will become a restricted free agency following this season.

He said that he did not think about the Vancouver future plans as all he wants to think about is becoming a better player.

During a conference call with reporters, Benning said the staff on the team liked the versatility of Granlund, as he can play down the middle, or the wing.

With Vancouver falling out of the playoff picture out West quickly, the need to turn around things and get more time in the playoffs is the plan for the franchise.

Benning has waived Chris Higgens as well as Brandon Prust to the AHL It is more likely they will find new homes for Dan Hanhuis and Radim Vrbata.

This was just the beginning of seven active days for Vancouver and Benning as they look to shape the team’s future.

The Canucks are in thirteenth place in the NHL West, while Calgary is one point worse than the Canucks.