[Speculation] Canucks’ Rathbone may request trade

[RWJC]

Canucks' Rathbone clears waivers, but will a trade follow?

 

Jack Rathbone passed through waivers untouched today, meaning that he’ll report to the Abbotsford Canucks.

 

He’s not the only AHL-bound Canuck, as the team cut 21 players on Sunday.

 

Also passing through waivers were forward Sheldon Dries, defencemen Jett Woo and Matt Irwin, and goaltender Zach Sawchenko.

 

There were no takers for Rathbone, who was a highly-touted defence prospect as recently as one year ago.

 

The dynamic puck-moving defenceman scored 53 points in 61 NCAA games in two seasons at Harvard before turning pro in 2020. The Canucks thought enough of Rathbone to sign him to a two-year, one-way deal just last year, guaranteeing him NHL money, even while playing in the AHL.

 

Rathbone was coming off a sensational season in the AHL, which saw him score 40 points in 39 games. But the 24-year-old has struggled defensively in limited opportunities at the NHL level.

 

Rathbone appeared in just 11 games last season, despite a pile of injuries and cameos from Abbotsford defencemen on Vancouver’s blue line.

 

Meanwhile in the AHL, Rathbone had a down year offensively, scoring just 14 points (5-9-14) in 37 games in 2022-23. The Massachusetts product appeared in just one game with the Canucks this preseason, the 10-0 blowout in Calgary, before being sent down.

 

Now that he has passed through waivers, will a trade follow?

 

There may not be a team willing to guarantee Rathbone a spot on their NHL roster, but perhaps another organization could give him a better opportunity to rise through the ranks.

 

That was something that Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman wondered about on today’s edition of the 32 Thoughts podcast.

 

“I think it’s a bit of a shame because I really thought for a time ago that was a really good marriage, the Canucks and Rathbone. It’s been slowly deteriorating,” said Friedman.

 

“I do think that there were times that Rathbone considered asking for a trade but never did. But I’ve got to think now… I wouldn’t be surprised if that comes up. Just another chance in another organization.”

 

Stay tuned.

 

 

Rob Williams
 

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/canucks-jack-rathbone-clears-waivers-trade

[Hammertime]

toodles!

[MeanSeanBean]

Can't assume he has much, if any value. I'm hoping Rathbone puts his head down and works his butt off in Abby. Earns first call up.

[RWJC]

I wonder if the 2 year/1 way contract he was signed for (NHL level $) has been at all a bit prohibitive in trading him thus far? 

[DrJockitch]

Trade of failed prospects seems most likely 

[JeremyCuddles]

I fully expect him to get moved. For a goalie if/when we get an injury or two. I figured as much when he was first waived. He got passed on the depth chart by Wolanin, Breezer, and Hirose. He had 2 years to steal that 3rd pair spot. Never did. Oh well.

[Jess]

I wouldn't mind at all. He was a 4th rounder, so has still been a success, despite not making the bigs. With him waived, we could maybe get a 6th or 7th for him. Would hurt Abbotsford, but our D is so insanely deep that we could stomach it.

[Rekker]

A trade? I get how he feels, but no one wanted him for free to play on their NHL roster. 

[RWJC]

2 minutes ago, Rekker said:

A trade? I get how he feels, but no one wanted him for free to play on their NHL roster. 

There might be more options once camps conclude and a few clubs have redefined or identified where they may need to add. We may even be one of those clubs. As mentioned by @DrJockitch a project prospect for project prospect deal could easily transpire. 

[RawkDrummer]

Bye bye Mr. Rathbone, you've been paid well.

[Alflives]

Bone is best buds with McDonough. Maybe he wants to play this year in Abby with his bud? 

[Lemon Face]

3 minutes ago, RawkDrummer said:

Bye bye Mr. Rathbone, you've been paid well.

Amen

[Slegr]

Rathbone did not impress at camp. Woo was way ahead of him.

[RWJC]

1 minute ago, Slegr said:

Rathbone did not impress at camp. Woo was way ahead of him.

[King Heffy]

31 other teams didn't want him on their NHL roster.  Maybe he should go down and actually learn how to play defence.

[RawkDrummer]

2 minutes ago, King Heffy said:

31 other teams didn't want him on their NHL roster.  Maybe he should go down and actually learn how to play defence.

 

Perhaps he could help Woo with that at the same time

[King Heffy]

Just now, RawkDrummer said:

 

Perhaps he could help Woo with that at the same time

Woo has shown signs of improvement.  Rathbone still isn't anywhere close to being able to play in his own zone at an acceptable standard.

[flat land fish]

Go play well and give the team a reason for a call up and run with the opportunity when you get one.

[canucks curse]

44 minutes ago, Rekker said:

A trade? I get how he feels, but no one wanted him for free to play on their NHL roster. 

this... he just cleared waivers where someone could have taken him for free...

[Jester13]

Kids these days...

[RWJC]

10 minutes ago, canucks curse said:

this... he just cleared waivers where someone could have taken him for free...

contract spot for contract spot. 
it’s not always just about the free pile…there are quite a few other things to consider such as other waiver eligible players, those you might want to protect, players you want to audition a bit further to gauge their development, etc etc 

[Sophomore Jinx]

He is 24 years old, and he has shown bupkiss at the NHL level, because he just doesn't have the full package needed to play in the show.

 

Maybe he was too impressed with himself in the receipt of a 2 year, 1-way deal and took it for granted, thinking he was the man

 

 

[Captkirk888]

17 minutes ago, Jester13 said:

Kids these days...

Yer darn tootin! I reckalect, back in the day you had ta earn yer keep!

[gwarrior]

Is he trying to be Denis Lemieux from "slapshot" 

[EagleEye]

24 minutes ago, Captkirk888 said:

Yer darn tootin! I reckalect, back in the day you had ta earn yer keep!

Imagine having to work to be successful....