VANCOUVER -- The Canucks are legitimate Stanley Cup hopefuls this season after coming within a game of the title last year. Who would want out of that situation?
Maybe Cody Hodgson.
There is speculation in Vancouver that the center or someone associated with him asked for a trade. He was playing less than 13 minutes per game yet still had 16 goals and 33 points, and he also had a public lashing by coach Alain Vigneault.
Upon arriving back in Vancouver as a member of the Sabres, Hodgson repeatedly dodged questions about a trade request.
"Like I said to a couple guys beforehand, I really enjoyed my time here," Hodgson said. "I got along well with the organization, the staff, the players. It’s tough to leave, but at the same time I know it’s a new home in Buffalo, and I’m looking forward to meeting the fans there and getting to know everyone there."
So he didn't ask for a trade?
"Like I told many guys beforehand, I was as shocked as anybody," Hodgson said. "But I don’t want to go back. Even when I played here the whole time I never went back and thought of readdressing old issues and that kind of stuff. I just wanted to go play, and that’s what I want to do now. I’ve got a new team with Buffalo and good guys, and hopefully things will work out."
Hodgson's agent, Ritch Winter, posted on Twitter earlier this week that Hodgson "never demanded ice-time or trade" but the tweet has since been deleted.
The full Hodgson audio is below.
---John Vogl
