Sat, Jun 28, 2014 at 10:56am

CANUCKS GET VEY FROM LOS ANGELES

The Vancouver Canucks acquired center Linden Vey from the Los Angeles Kings for a second-round draft pick in 2014.

What does it give the Vancouver Canucks
This is a solid pickup for the Canucks, who are looking for the right mix at the center position now that they've traded away {P Ryan Kesler}. Vey is ready to challenge for a full-time roster spot at the NHL level, but he wasn't going to get that shot in LA. He has a much better path in Vancouver.

What does it give the Los Angeles Kings
The Kings are giving Vey a better chance to play in the National Hockey League here, and in return they get a solid future asset in the second-round pick (which they used to select junior defenseman {P Roland McKeown}). LA is as deep as any team in the league at the center position, so they did Vey a favor.

Fantasy impact
Vey has fantasy dark-horse appeal now that he has moved from Los Angeles to Vancouver. He needs to beat out other players for a job but could wind up as the No. 3 center when all is said and done. This hurts fellow Canucks center {P Bo Horvat}'s chances of sticking in the NHL in 2014-15, though he may still be the favorite to beat Vey out.

Player focus

Vancouver Canucks

Linden Vey C/RW

Los Angeles Kings

a second-round draft pick in 2014