from Pierre LeBrun of ESPN,

- There has been so much focus on Matt Moulson that you forget the Buffalo Sabres have a long list of pending UFAs, and another forward generating lots of interest is Steve Ott.

"Perhaps more than Moulson," said one NHL team executive on Tuesday.

Ott is the kind of grinding center that playoff-bound teams would love to add and it sounds like he’s going to be moved before March 5.

- ...So I suspect any moves you see the Canucks make from here on in will have a bigger-picture feel, the organization realizing it is no longer among the elite clubs in the league after knocking at the door for a half decade, understanding that it needs to inject more youth into its lineup to remain on the right track.

So, forget any trades for a rental player to help get a few more wins this season. While the Canucks still hope to get healthy and win a round or two this season, management's focus between now and the March 5 trade deadline, but probably especially in the offseason will be move some veteran bodies out the door and get a bit younger. It's the smart thing to do.

The Sedin twins aren't going anywhere, but I would surmise that next to them over the next year, almost any other veteran player could be moved if it's a deal that makes sense for the Canucks.

more on the Canucks and other topics too...