Hockey Trade Rumours: Insider Reveals Canucks Looking to Add Top Defenseman

The Vancouver Canucks are reportedly looking at trade options to improve their blueline, per NHL insider Frank Seravalli, which means they could be after either Seth Jones from the Chicago Blackhawks or Jakob Chychrun from the Washington Capitals.

Whichever of the two defensemen they look to would bring different strengths into the Vancouver blueline to help cement a roster trying to stay competitive and deepen its defensive core for the season.

Seth Jones is a right-shot, veteran NHL defender who brings both size and experience as a reliable top-four option.

He has grown his defensive game, and he logs huge minutes, often providing stability when the chips are down.

He'd fit into Vancouver's blue line nicely, especially in high-pressure moments of games.

Jones' puck-moving ability and vision would elevate the Canucks' transition game, and he would be a boost to special teams, especially on the penalty kill.

But of course, Jones comes with a rather hefty contract that would need to be considered with extreme care in any deal the Canucks would make.

Perhaps on the other end of the spectrum is Jakob Chychrun, who is a left-shot defenseman with a big physical presence, complemented by offensive upside.

His ability to join the rush and chip in on the scoresheet has made him one of the more sought-after players over the last few years.

The physicality of Chychrun would add some grit to the Canucks blue line, while his scoring ability from the blue line would offer another weapon for the Vancouver power play.

Furthermore, his more manageable contract makes him an appealing option for a team in need of staying flexible with cap space.

The urgency of the Canucks to land a legitimate top-four defenseman comes as they want to strengthen their roster well ahead of the trade deadline like they did last year by acquiring Nikita Zadorov early.

While Eric Brannstrom has indeed been valuable on the third pairing, the team would want a bigger body who can handle top minutes.

Vancouver's internal prospect, Tom Willander, is also promising in that he's producing at a point-per-game pace for Boston University and just won Hockey East Defenseman of the Week honors.

While he could be a future solution, adding an experienced defender now may be the important step the Canucks need to shore up their D for a playoff push.