This is a solid pickup for the Canucks, who are looking for the right mix at the center position now that they've traded away Kesler Vey is ready to challenge for a full-time roster spot at the NHL level, but he wasn't going to get that shot in LA. He has a much better path in Vancouver.

The Kings are giving Vey a better chance to play in the National Hockey League here, and in return they get a solid future asset in the second-round pick (which they used to select junior defenseman McKeown LA is as deep as any team in the league at the center position, so they did Vey a favor.

Vey has fantasy dark-horse appeal now that he has moved from Los Angeles to Vancouver. He needs to beat out other players for a job but could wind up as the No. 3 center when all is said and done. This hurts fellow Canucks center Horvat chances of sticking in the NHL in 2014-15, though he may still be the favorite to beat Vey out.