Vancouver Canucks general manager Mike Gillis met with the media on Tuesday to address the premature end to his team's season and spoke out for the first time on his decision to trade Cody Hodgson at the trade deadline in February.
Gillis admitted to the media that Hodgson, who along with defenceman Alexander Sulzer, was sent to the Buffalo Sabres for Zack Kassian and Marc-Andre Gragnani because of irreconcilable differences.
"There clearly were issues that were ongoing," Gillis said. "I spent more time on Cody's issues than every other player combined on our team the last three years."
Gillis also stated that leading up to the deadline, the club increased Hodgson's minutes in order to increase his trade value.
"We built him into something we could move," Gillis stated. "There were six young players that I would have traded him for if any of them were ever made available. One was made available at the trade deadline and it was Zack.
"I don't regret that trade. I'd do it today"
Hodgson, who was taken 10th overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, scored 19 goals and 22 assists in 83 games this season between the Cancucks and Sabres.
