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“Depending where we are at the deadline, we have to make decisions on guys who are UFAs,” Benning said of either retaining or moving veterans.

Photo by Rich Lam / Getty Images files

Sven Baertschi might be of immediate value to banged-up and struggling teams, like the Montreal Canadiens, to help push for the playoffs and take the final year of his deal off the Canucks’ books.

Then again, the Canucks could keep doing what they’ve been doing.

They can build on having four 40-point producers, a fifth-ranked power play, consistent goaltending and improved resiliency to play meaningful games into April. It’s why Benning has to take a wait-and-see approach.

However, he could move Baertschi now. The left-winger suffered a high-ankle strain Friday and is out this week, but his attitude to lead by example after being waived to collect 32 points (8-24) in 26 games with the Utica Comets has raised eyebrows.

A club might be willing to gamble that the 27-year-old Baertschi won’t suffer another concussion and also be of value next season. The Comets are 18-5-1-2 with Baertschi in the lineup and 4-8-1-0 without him.

“The next three weeks to a month, teams are assessing and I expect I’ll get some calls on Sven,” said Benning. “He’s having a good year and competing.”

One pleasant problem for Benning is projecting what a totally healthy roster will do to his trade-deadline plans.

Brandon Sutter, who has missed 12 games with an upper-body injury and sat out 13 games earlier this season with a groin strain, skated Tuesday, but there’s no timetable for his return. When fit, he’s a fit on the penalty kill and to ease the defensive-zone faceoff load.