Ottawa Senators GM Bryan Murray hinted last week he was in the market for a potential scoring winger and may have acquired one today.

Murray dealt little-used defenseman Lawrence Nycholat to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for 25-year-old forward Ryan Shannon.

With this move it appears Murray won't be interested in UFA forwards Mark Parrish and Glen Murray. Shannon has only seen limited action in two NHL seasons split between Anaheim and Vancouver, although he did play in 11 playoff games with the Ducks during their Cup run in 2007.

He spent most of last season with the Canucks AHL affiliate but was called up late in the season where he showed some promise with 13 points (almost half on the powerplay) in 27 games.

At 5-9 and 173 lbs Shannon isn't big by NHL standards but what he lacks in size he makes up for with speed, hard work and decent two-way skills.

He may get his chance at more ice time and a bigger role with the Senators on their second line this coming season.

Shannon also carries an affordable salary ($605K) for this coming season which makes him a good fit in the Senators payroll.

The Canucks acquisition of Nycholat might get tongues wagging that GM Mike Gillis is preparing for "Plan B" (as it appears Mats Sundin still hasn't made up his mind about his future) and might be planning to move a defenseman for some scoring depth.

Kevin Bieska is one of the few decent Vancouver blueliners without a movement clause and has been oft-mentioned in trade rumors, which are likely to intensify with this move.