When someone tells me how great Thomas Vanek is for putting up 35 points in 49 games on a $2 million contract, all I think about is the return the Canucks could get for him at the trade deadline. The team has a number of decent veterans on expiring contracts, namely Vanek, Gudbranson, and Biega, and a number of other potential trade targets in Tanev and Del Zotto. The assets are there, now it’s up to GM Jim Benning to move some of them for draft picks and younger players. The Canucks will not get better playing the same old players over and over as they continue to age and regress. On the other hand, young players tend to improve over time, and if enough of them are acquired, they could improve the team, and turn them into contenders in 3-5 years. Boys, it’s time to cash in your chips.