The Vancouver Canucks get two late trades to squeak in just past the Trade Deadline, as David Kampf and Lukas Reichel have been traded to the Washington Capitals and Boston Bruins, respectively, for 6th-round picks each. Both trades came down the line after the official 3:00 pm Trade Deadline, signaling the end of the Canucks deadline moves.
David Kampf
Kampf joined the Canucks in mid November after his contract was terminated by the Toronto Maple Leafs. Kampf joined the Canucks at $1.1 million AAV for 1 year, making him a UFA after this season.
In the 38 games Kampf played with the Canucks this year, he recorded 2 goals and 4 assists for 6 points. Though point scoring has never been Kampf’s game, as a defensively minded bottom six centermen, Kampf excels at taking draws and is also a reliable penalty killer.
Kampf had himself a successful showing at the Olympics, playing for team Czechia this year. Though Czechia’s hopes of a long run were ended early by team Canada, David Kampf had a good tournament that certainly helped his stock amongst other teams approaching this trade deadline.
The return of a 6th-round pick is solid enough for a player whom the Canucks received for free part of the way through this season. With Kampf on an expiring contract and on the wrong side of 30, it was unlikely to receive an extension offer from the Canucks to begin with.
Lukas Reichel
Reichel is another very recent acquisition for the Canucks who is now being shown the door. Acquired by Vancouver in October from the Chicago Blackhawks for a 4th round pick, Reichel is now being sent to the Boston Bruins for a 6th. Definitely not the tidiest asset management by the Canucks and GM Patrick Allvin, however, it was clear early into Reichel’s tenure with the Canucks that he was not going to be a long-term fit.
Even on a Canucks team that was in dire need of center help, Reichel could not make the cut. Playing only 14 games and recording a measly 1 assist, the experiment in Vancouver was short-lived. Reichel did have a surprisingly good performance with team Germany, recording 2 goals and 1 assist in Germany’s 5 Olympic games.
Boston is the next team set to take a chance on the young forward, who was the former 17th overall pick in the 2020 draft. Time will tell if Reichel can manage to live up to his draft position.
End of Deadline Day
Ultimately, the two 6th round picks for Kampf and Reichel are merely consolation prizes for players who were unlikely to be Canucks next season. The return does not do much to move the needle, however, it is better than holding on and getting nothing.
With the deadline well passed now, the Canucks are officially done. Other notable UFA’s, including Evander Kane and Teddy Blueger, ultimately were unable to get dealt, which will be deemed a failure on Patrick Allvin’s part. Now the grueling end to the NHL season is next for the Canucks, starting with a meeting against the Chicago Blackhawks tonight.
