No he isn't needed at all. His game has fallen off and he needs a fresh start somewhere else. His contract and production levels would scare most teams. Canucks would have to eat salary if they were to trade him. We are most likely stuck with him until his contract is over.
Its all good to talk about what players used to be and what they accomplished. It's amazing and he had some great years.
This team needs to leave the emotion out of it, and make some difficult moves and rid themselves of Higgins and Burrows even if they have to eat salary.
That being said, I hope both players find success on another team, but it's time this team moved in a different direction.