from Ben Kuzma of the Vancouver Province,

The consistent clamour is that the Vancouver Canucks defenceman should have been dealt last summer or before the next trade deadline. And definitely before he enters the lucrative world of Blueliner Bingo — better known as unrestricted free agency.

For many who view the National Hockey League club from afar, he’s a polarizing player....

The microscope is focusing on Gudbranson because from an asset-management perspective, there are two things at play.

If you don’t believe Gudbranson warrants a contract extension then you can’t afford to lose him for nothing via free agency. A return could be maximized at the trade deadline.

If you believe the skinny last summer of a deal with the Florida Panthers falling through — Jason Demers reportedly vetoed a trade to the Canucks in exchange for Gudbranson — then maybe the clock is really ticking on a 25-year-old defenceman.

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