Ryan Kesler has asked the Vancouver Canucks to be traded, according to TVA Sports reporter Louis Jean.
Listen: Louis Jean discusses Ryan Kesler trade rumours on Sportsnet Tonight
Kesler’s agent, Kurt Overhardt, told Adrian Dater of the Denver Post that the Canucks forward hasn’t requested a trade.
Coming out of the Olympic break, the Canucks are currently riding a seven-game losing streak as they host the St. Louis Blues Wednesday night — one week ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline.
Kesler, who currently leads the Canucks with 20 goals, is dealing with a hand injury suffered while blocking a shot for Team USA on Feb. 15.
Vancouver hasn’t had it easy. Head coach John Tortorella recently came off a 15-day suspension. Captain Henrik Sedin, formerly working on an ironman streak, had to miss out on an Olympic medal due to injury. And the offence has dried up to the point that GM Mike Gillis hopped on local radio and admitted he’s trying to get Kesler some help on the wing.
The Canucks head into Wednesday’s game with 63 points on the season, one back of Phoenix and Dallas for the second wild card spot in the Western Conference.
–With files from Luke Fox
