What the Canucks exposed during their pursuit of Evander Kane was how invested they are in a plan they hope will see a group of their promising prospects come together in the NHL in three or four years.

It is, in a way, the succession plan to the Sedins.

It meant the team was not willing to deal any of its top prospects for Kane, a 23-year-old stud goal-scorer.

It suggests they’ll be loath to deal any prospects to rent a veteran to will help them secure a playoff spot.

Still, the expectation from Rogers Arena remains that they will make the playoffs this spring.

It leaves GM Jim Benning serving two masters: the present and the future.

The team needs help now, specifically more depth among its forward group and its defence. It also needs to get younger. There remains a massive void in the organization of players who aare aged 20-26.

How can it work?

The Canucks could make at least two trades before the March deadline. They will try to get both younger and deeper without diminishing the on-ice product.

Here we look at the breakdown of some of the assets they may use to try and accomplish that goal.

ZACK KASSIAN, WINGER

Age: 24

Future: Signed next year for $1.75-million cap hit.

The situation: The Canucks have spent much of the first half of the season looking for a trade partner.

It seems like Kassian could use a fresh start and the team could use a player about the same age who head coach Willie Desjardins has more trust in.

Kassian has gone on a nice goal-scoring run and maybe that will move the needle on the market.

The most likely destination is Boston, as the Bruins have expressed the most interest.

Player’s value: A second-round draft pick, or a player around the same age who, like Kassian, could use a change of scenery.

CHRIS HIGGINS, WINGER

Age: 31

Future: Signed two more years at $2.5 million per, and has a limited no-trade clause (NTC).

The situation: Higgins is a great example of an older vet who still has value. The Canucks could trade for a younger player and not lose much, with Jannik Hansen ready to move off the fourth line and into the top-six.

A shrewd executive should be all over Higgins. His six-per-cent shooting percentage is the lowest of the season. His score-adjusted Corsi-for percentage of 57 per cent is in the same zone as top-line NHL players.

Even with just seven goals, he would be a good bet for a contender looking for some scoring punch.

Player’s value: The Canucks could get a B prospect or an early draft pick for Higgins, especially if he’s willing to go to either New York teams.

EDDIE LACK, GOALIE

Age: 27

Future: Signed for one more year at a $1.15-million cap hit, then he’s set to be an unrestricted free agent (UFA).

The situation: Lack is the goalie most likely to get squeezed out of an organization which also has Ryan Miller and Jacob Markstrom.

The Canucks have explored Lack deals, but have concluded that the best time to make a deal will be during the offseason, probably at the draft.

That said, things could change and teams, say the Philadelphia Flyers, may make a pitch for Lack before the deadline.

The issue here is that Lack is not viewed as someone you can bring in and make a No. 1. He’s more a guy you bring in to share the load, or challenge for the top spot.

Player’s value: The goalie market is non-existent, so not much. Maybe the Canucks could get a second- or third-round draft. Either that or a middle-of-the-road prospect.

JANNIK HANSEN, WINGER

Age: 28

Future: Signed for three more years at $2.5 million per, and has a limited NTC.

The situation: Locked up and still under 30, the Canucks will not be eager to deal Hansen. He can play anywhere in the lineup.

His speed and versatility would be missed the second he wasn’t in the lineup.

That said, if the Canucks are trying to put a package together to land an impact player, Hansen is the type you include.

The way he’s played this year, his game should translate well to the playoffs, and if a team was looking for a strong third-line winger, Hansen is the type they would target.

Player’s value: Hansen should be able to get the Canucks a B+ prospect if dealt alone. But he could help get something much better than that if packaged with some of these other pieces.

SHAWN MATTHIAS, CENTRE

Age: 26

Future: Set to be a UFA.

The situation: The Canucks know by now their chances of re-signing Shawn Matthias and they haven’t been trying to deal him up to now.

It suggests he is in Vancouver’s plans moving forward and that they have no intention of moving him.

He has improved over the course of the season and is probably in line for a deal that pays him more in the $2-$2.5-million-a-year range.

With 10 goals and a pretty low score-adjusted Corsi-for percentage of just 46.8, the Canucks could at least look at moving the power forward.

Of course, there’s really no one else who charges to the net with the regularity Matthias does. There are not many who have the size he does.

In other words, he would be missed.

Player’s value: On an expiring contract, Matthias alone wouldn’t get you much. Maybe a younger third-line player or a second-round draft pick.

KEVIN BIEKSA, DEFENCEMAN

Age: 33

Future: One more year on a contract that pays him just $2.5 million, with a $4.6-million cap hit.

The situation: Yes, yes, I know he has a full no-trade clause and vowed to go down with the ship.

But, let’s be real, the ship is down. It needs to be rebuilt.

Generally, when you’re focused on building a team that will come together in three or four years, there’s not much room for a 33-year-old defenceman.

While everyone concentrates on age catching up to the Sedins, it seems to have eroded Bieksa’s game more than any other player on the team.

Before his finger injury, he was in the midst of his worst season since he broke into the league.

The fact he still has value, because of his reputation, helps make him the perfect guy to trade here.

It probably won’t happen but, hey, the Canucks badgered Jason Garrison until he was willing to waive his no-trade clause.

Player’s value: The cost for defencemen is always ridiculously high at the deadline. I would think a Bieksa trade to the East could get the Canucks a good young player or a decent prospect plus a draft pick.

jbotchford@theprovince.com

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