The Canucks and Golden Knights have agreed on a trade to send winger Brendan Leipsic to Vancouver in exchange for prospect defenseman Philip Holm, TSN’s Bob McKenzie reports (Twitter link).
Leipsic was selected from Toronto in last summer’s Expansion Draft. He has been a depth player for Vegas this season, suiting up in 44 games while tallying two goals and 11 assists. It’s likely that Vancouver is looking to take a longer look at him to see if the 23-year-old is worth keeping around long-term. He carries a league-minimum $650K cap hit and is signed through the 2018-19 season. His contract is a two-way pact this year and then becomes a one-way contract next season. Canucks head coach Travis Green is certainly familiar with what Leipsic brings to the table as the winger played for him at the WHL level.
Holm joined Vancouver last offseason after spending the previous three years in the SHL. However, he has played just once with Vancouver this year and instead has spent the majority of his campaign with their AHL affiliate in Utica. He has been quite productive at the AHL level, recording 11 goals and 18 assists in 42 games. The 26-year-old is making $925K this season and will be a restricted free agent in July.
Why the **** would they do this? Defensive depth is lackluster at best in Vancouver!!!! F*****K
The coaching staff and front office probably saw something that convinced them that Holm wasn’t a player they wanted going forward. Also, maybe Green believes he can get more out of Leipsic since he coached him before.
I actually believe this is a move just to make a move. In the event they don’t trade Vanek, management can at least deflect and talk about bringing in Leipsic….
Aside from Juolevi there are no top defensemen in the system so this is questionable but Holm is already 26 and still needs help in his own zone. Hope Leipsic can fill out his potential