Vancouver Canucks Could Acquire Datsyuk Contract, Picks, Prospects from Detroit

The Vancouver Canucks could either spend big money in free agency or build for the future.

For the Detroit Red Wings, the news that Pavel Datsyuk will not return for the 2016-17 season mark the end of an era. While the Red Wings will certainly suffer from it and could miss the playoffs for the first time since 1990, unless they sign Steven Stamkos, teams like the Vancouver Canucks could profit from Datsyuk’s decision. They could trade for him.

Well, if the Canucks traded for Datsyuk, it would not be for the player himself, but for what comes to Vancouver with him. Datsyuk will leave for Russia, but his $7.5 million cap hit stays. If the Canucks agreed to take that on, they could get prospects…