Grabner trade draws confusion, disappointment

(AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Jonathan Hayward)

It was the 2010 NHL Entry Draft's worst-kept secret for over three hours and as the news began to trickle in through various news sources and Twitter feeds, the online fists were flying from Canucks fans participating in the Live Draft Blog at Canucks.com.

There were no shortage of opinions to be had from the fans once it was revealed the Canucks had acquired defenceman Keith Ballard and forward Victor Oreskovich from the Florida Panthers in exchange for their first round pick (25th overall) in the 2010 Draft and forwards Steve Bernier and Michael Grabner though few, if any, were of the positive variety.

On the surface, the deal is a solid one for the Canucks who were desperate to upgrade their back-end after watching injuries decimate their blue-line during the post-season. Ballard is essentially a more versatile, albeit smaller in stature, version of Willie Mitchell. He was a high-scoring defenceman in college hockey before morphing into more of a dependable, two-way type after turning pro. While the fans shed little tears over losing the pick in this year's opening round or over the departure of Steve Bernier who frustrated fans with his immense potential but inability to produce offence consistently, it was the loss of prospect Michael Grabner that seemed to draw the most ire.

Grabner, Vancouver's first round pick (14th overall) in 2006, barely had a sniff of the NHL for the majority of his four seasons as a Canuck property until injuries opened up an opportunity this past season for him to demonstrate his abilities in the big leagues. The Austrian tallied five goals and 11 points in 20 regular season games for the Canucks and appeared to be a lock for a roster spot on opening night for this upcoming season with forward Pavol Demitra unlikely to be re-signed.

Given Vancouver's lack of success over the last decade with drafting and developing first round picks - Ryan Kesler being the lone first rounder since 2000 so far to see regular action with the Canucks - watching the Canucks deal away yet another highly-touted prospect, particularly one that seemed ready for prime time, is undoubtedly a tough pill to swallow. The trade will certainly draw comparisons to the Neely-for-Pederson swap in the mid-80's that, to this day, is still lamented by the Canucks fan base and serves as the ultimate example of dealing away a prospect prematurely.

Only time will tell if Canucks history will remember Grabner in much the same way.