Canucks & Capitals Linked to Big 1-for-1 Trade

There is a good chance that Brock Boeser isn’t a member of the Vancouver Canucks much longer. Having said that, the team has likely had discussions around the league already to see what they can get for their winger. Boeser is a good player, but the time has come for a change in scenery.

That brings us to the Washington Capitals as they have a similar forward who could also use a change in scenery. That player is Anthony Mantha. He has never really fit in with Washington and is playing on the third line. He had the perfect opportunity to step up his game with the number of injuries the team has had, but hasn’t really done so.

Mantha’s 20 goals and 46 points in 80 games since joining Capitals has been a drop-off from how he was producing with the Detroit Red Wings in a top-line role. Now Mantha is being paid $5.7 million AAV to play in the bottom-six.

A Boeser/Mantha Swap Would Work for Both Sides

Elliotte Friedman mentioned the idea of the swap of forwards needing new homes. He believes the Capitals have shown interest in the Canucks’ forward and instead of getting lesser value in a trade, take a chance on a forward with offensive abilities and two years remaining on a similar deal. The Capitals would have a 25-year-old proven goal-scorer who could benefit from playing with a good playmaker like Evgeny Kuznetsov.

Vancouver however are just two points out of a playoff spot after a horrible start and don’t want to get outright worse this season through a trade. Instead of having Boeser on the books at $6.65 million for two more seasons, they could bring in a power forward with a lower AAV whose contract is up at the end of next season. That would give them a good sample size to judge whether they want to keep Mantha around or free up that money by letting him hit free agency.

Related: 4 Players Canucks Are Looking to Move

Oftentimes we will see a one-for-one swap of players who are in need of new homes to spark their game. Both Boeser and Mantha are better than they are playing right now and it would benefit both sides in the short-term.