Canucks - Kings

To Canucks: Damphousse and Jones (Keith)

To Kings: Schneider, Nabokov and Sillinger

For people used to the Canucks' trades this is not a surprising one. They first got Johansson and now they got themselves the other break out player of the NHL this year in Keith Jones. Jones got treded to Flyers (NHL) and is racking up the points in the new Legion of Doom with Lindros & LeClair. Canucks know this and as they did with Johansson they got him before anybody else could. To make it even better for themselves they also received what they have lacked: a great 2nd line center in Vincent Damphousse. A great playmaker that also brings with him his experience and leadership. They got all this, but they had to pay a price.

Schneider who has been their best defender for a long time left town and he will strenghten the Kings' defence a little bit. However to think this wasa move for their powerplay think again as they already have Coffey and Gill there and they already had a decent blue line line up, but Schneider was something that the Kings were really happy about to get. Nabokov was a surprise to see leave as Canucks are reknown to want as much talented prospects as they can get. Most likely they have grown tired of always trading for the future but not winning enough. They gave up long term investment for Jones who they knew would rocket already next year and they got Damphouse too. Sillinger was probably the bonus bait the Canucks used to finish of the deal. When Damphousse gone the Kings needed centers and that's what the Canucks gave them in Sillinger & Nabokov. Jones won't be missed this year in Kings as they have 3 better right wingers but next year...

Canucks got what hey wanted: a star second center and another guarenteed ratingsrocketeer. They gave up a good defender but they had him to sacrifice.

Kings got a star? defender to boost their defence + two centers. Both young and they also got long term succes in Nabokov. On the other hand they don't look to need centers as they have Sturm and Nikolishin down i nthe farm.

No team is probably sad after this trade but Canucks look stronger after this trade. Kings got depth but it looks as though they have depth as it is. If Jones and Johansson become what the Cancuks expects them to be... well, the LML better look out!