The Vancouver Canucks entered the season chasing a playoff spot, after bolstering their top six by signing Loui Eriksson. Although the Canucks finished third last in the NHL in 2015-16, they were striving for the postseason. Now, they sit nine points out of a wild-card spot and have decided to sell here at the deadline. Long-time Canuck Jannik Hansen has been traded to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Nikolay Goldobin and a conditional fourth round pick.

VAN return on Hansen to SJ is expected to be Nikolay Goldobin and a conditional fourth-round pick. — Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 1, 2017

If SJ wins the Cup, the conditional fourth round pick becomes a first-round pick for the Canucks. 4th round or 1st round, no in between. — Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 1, 2017

Jannik Hansen Traded to San Jose Sharks

This trade is bittersweet for Canucks fans. Jannik Hansen has spent his entire 11-year professional career with Vancouver. The 30-year-old native of Rodovre, Denmark has been a mainstay in the Canucks lineup, playing a versatile role over the past decade. It was a relatively steep price for the Sharks to pay giving up Goldobin, and LWOH’s own Ben Kerr has everything you need to know about the newest Canuck prospect in his scouting report.

Goldobin is 21-yr-old SJ first rounder in 2014 (27th overall) who has put some nice numbers in AHL this season — 15 G and 41 Pts in 46 GP. — Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 1, 2017

Last year, Hansen had the most prolific season of his career. In 67 games, he recorded 22 goals and 38 points. This season, he has battled some injury issues. Hansen has suffered both broken ribs and a knee injury this season, limiting him to 28 games, where he has recorded 13 points.

Hansen has two years remaining on a four-year, $10 million deal, coming in cheap at $2.5 million. He does have a modified no-trade clause (NTC) as well. Last week, he submitted his eight-team trade list to Canucks management, another early sign the veteran could get dealt.

Due to Hansen’s remaining two years on his contract, he will be eligible for the expansion draft this offseason. With a modified-NTC, the Sharks must protect him, unless he is asked and agrees to waive his no-trade clause. Hansen’s extra year may have limited his market, as many contending teams don’t have room to add players that must be protected.

A Valuable Addition

A valuable component Hansen brings is his playoff experience. He has played 64 postseason games, most recently in 2014-15, and has 18 points over the years. Hansen has been to one Stanley Cup final, back in 2010-11, where Vancouver lost to the Boston Bruins.

Jannik Hansen will be a very versatile player for San Jose. He can play up and down the lineup, with the skill to play in the top six and the defence and grit to feature in the bottom six. Hansen can also kill penalties, a vital aspect for any Stanley Cup contending team. He will help the Sharks fight for a Stanley Cup this spring with the assurance of his return in September, something most deadline additions cannot say.

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