Awesome - the blue line gets tougher, and we get some more scoring depth on the farm.
Steve - you're right, Ouellet is already headed to the farm. The Canucks can call this guy up if injures hit some scoring forwards hard - if not, its more depth and scoring for the Moose.
I think this is a great trade for the Canucks. They were a little taken back when McIver was nabbed off waivers by the Ducks - all of a sudden depth, more specifically, toughness depth on the blue line, was a concern - especially with a few more cuts coming like
Lawrence Nycholat, who would have to clear waivers first if he's sent down and has had a good pre-season.
If he is claimed by another team, losing another depth d-man with grit and toughness like Nycholat won't hurt so bad after having a guy like O'Brien already on the team.
Kraijeck is a good skating, puck moving d-man, but he doesn't play very physical and he had a tough year last season - both health-wise and regarding his play on the ice - he seemed to take a big step back. So I'm not too sorry to see him go.
After some tougher guys have been lost recently - McIver to the Ducks, Cowan and Brown waived - bringing O'Brien in is a good move. Eric like!