Defenseman Victor Mancini was one piece in a trade with the Vancouver Canucks. He'd be sent with Filip Chytil, a 1st-round pick for J.T. Miller, and Jackson Dorrington back in January. At first, he was driven by anxiety until the official news arrived.
NHL trades have a way of driving emotions. Whether for the players who are involved, or the fans who want to see the players they hate leave the organization.
The human element is ever present, albeit in the wrong ways sometimes. For Victor Mancini, news of the trade sent his anxiety through the roof, as he was unsure of what would happen next.
He felt like he was destined to be a Blueshirt for life, that is until GM Chris Drury was trying to pry J.T. Miller from the Canucks grip. A deal that meant Mancini and others would be headed to Vancouver.
His 15 games played in the NHL this season gave NHL clubs a good look at a prospect who could hold his own in the league.
Obviously, he caught GM Patrik Allvin's eye, as he was one of many moving pieces sent to Vancouver.
When it became official, the anxiety dissipated for the former Rangers defenseman for the first time in a while, felt wanted by a team.
«Just for me it felt like I was wanted in the Canucks organization, so that really made me feel at ease,» Mancini said. «You kind of go from this sense of unease to like comfort, almost an excitement.»
He'd play 16 more games in the NHL this season as the Canucks gave him a serious look in the NHL.
Mancini would tally 3 points (1 goal, 2 assists) as it seems he's found a new home. For now his future remains unclear, as the threat of the AHL remains omnipresent for players who haven't fully developed into NHL players.
But he holds a promise that the Canucks feel is worth it.
