Canucks trade 24 year old defenseman Jack Rathbone

This just in, the Vancouver Canucks have sent defenseman Jack Rathbone and forward Karel Plasek to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for defenseman Mark Friedman and forward Ty Glover.

This is essentially a swap of defensemen who could both use a fresh start with a couple younger AHL forwards thrown in to makes things more interesting.

“I would like to thank Jack (Rathbone) for all the time he spent with our organization and always pushing hard when competing for a spot,” said Canucks GM Patrik Allvin in a prepared statement on the team's website. “It has been a tough couple of years for him and  this will give him a fresh start. The two players coming back in this trade will add to our depth as we continue to look at ways to improve our organization.”

It's believed that the 24 year old Rathbone was looking for a fresh start after failing to make the Canucks main roster for the third training camp in a row. He cleared waivers earlier this month and was assigned to the AHL, but it's expected that he'll now replace Friedman on the Penguins' full-time NHL roster.

UPDATE: It appears though that Rathbone will actually be assigned to the AHL, at least initially.

Read below from the Penguins' official press release:

Rathbone, who will report to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League, is signed through the end of the 2023-24 season and his contract carries an average annual value of $850,000 at the NHL level. Plasek, who will report to the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL, is also signed through the ’23-24 season and his contract carries an average annual value of $846,667 in the NHL.

As for the Canucks, Friedman is a clear upgrade on Rathbone in the present now. Sure, Rathbone may have more potential, but Friedman is a solid NHLer who can slot into their lineup immediately.  In 65 career regular season NHL games split between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, Friedman has collected 12 points (4-8-12) and 49 penalty minutes. Friedman has also appeared in six career playoff games with the Penguins, tallying one point (1-0-1) and a +3 plus/minus rating.