from Jason Botchford of the Vancouver Province,

For the first time in the plodding Hamhuis will-he-or-won’t-he saga, the Canucks most important asset finally admitted he’s open to a trade.

“We’d like to stay,” Hamhuis said. “But we have an open mind to going, possibly to the right fit, if that’s what (the Canucks) want to do.”

This represents significant progress.

The Canucks already missed a chance to pry a top prospect from the Chicago Blackhawks. The Hawks were seriously into Hamhuis but he apparently wasn’t willing to say “right back atch-ya.”

The Chicago trade discussions got far enough Hamhuis was presented with a chance to waive. What followed was a long delay, which could be interpreted as waffling, and the Hawks moved on.

Enter Dallas, the team long rumoured to be the front-runner in the Hamhuis sweepstakes.

The Stars have not only needed defence, they have had a hole on their blueline’s left side.

But they also have GM Jim Nill, who trades like a predatory shark.

more and Boston is also mentioned...