The Vancouver Canucks have missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the fourth time in five years. After last yr’s division title, they got off to a solid begin to the yr. But they scuffled through the remainder of the season, winning only 24 of their final 57 games. The Canucks move toward an offseason that ought to bring about massive changes, especialy through trade. Could Elias Pettersson or Thatcher Demko be on the move?
The Canucks finished with 90 points this season, six behind the Blues for the ultimate playoff spot. Nearly the whole lot went improper for Vancouver this season, with a rift between Pettersson and JT Miller taking center stage. That forced a trade of Miller just before Quinn Hughes went on the shelf with an injury. Rick Tocchet has a one-year option for next yr, in order that they is also on the lookout for a brand new coach in the approaching days.
The Canucks will look very different next fall, but how much of it’ll be as a consequence of trade?
Elias Pettersson could also be shopped, but won’t be traded
It’s stunning that Elias Pettersson is taken into account a trade candidate, but there isn’t a denying the reality. He signed an eight-year, $11.6 million annual deal last March. That deal includes trade protection that kicks in on July 1. After the Miller rift and the worst season of his profession, Pettersson’s name might be on the market in trade rumors.
When the draft rolls around, the Canucks won’t trade Elias Pettersson. Quinn Hughes is one among the few elite 200-foot defensemen within the league, and so they have to surround him with talent. With Miller gone and an offseason to get fully healthy, Pettersson needs to be back to his normal self next yr. After three years with no less than 32 goals, he scored only 15 this yr. That will not be enough for Vancouver.
If Pettersson is traded, the Latest York Islanders and Boston Bruins should each be calling. Those teams are coping with aging cores and an absence of elite scoring from the middle position. That’s what Pettersson can bring, but he’ll remain in Vancouver.
The Canucks goalie situation is changing
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Just after he got here back from representing Finland within the 4 Nations Face-Off, Kevin Lankinen signed an extension with the Canucks. He might be in Vancouver for five years at a $4.5 million salary. That results in an enormous query about Thatcher Demko, whose contract is expiring after the 2025-26 season. That points to a trade this offseason from Canucks general manager Patrick Allvin.
Lankinen posted a 2.62 goals-against average and a .902 save percentage this yr. That needs to be enough for the Canucks to construct on in net moving forward. Demko has suffered through a ton of injuries in his profession, and Lankinen might be vital no matter whether he’s traded. They may trade him and sign a backup who would play more games than Demko due to his injuries.
The Canucks wouldn’t have many trade partners for Demko due to his injury history. But when Jacob Markstrom leaves the Devils, they’ll be on the lookout for one other goalie. And the Oilers could also be on the lookout for a secondary choice to Stuart Skinner after his rough season.
Big changes may very well be coming to the forward unit
The Canucks are almost definitely letting Brock Boeser walk in free agency this offseason. After sharp comments from Allvin and an emotional goodbye at the tip of the season, the Minnesota native is all but gone. With no Boeser or Miller, the Canucks won’t have the elite scoring touch that they had once they made the playoffs last yr. They may make some big trades to open up cap space for the elite free agents available.
Conor Garland is the right trade candidate to liberate cap space for the Canucks. He is making $4.95 million for next season after which hits free agency. In 4 years in Vancouver, he has scored between 46 and 52 points in each season. The consistency is impressive and could be worthwhile, nevertheless it shows he cannot take the step forward they should in the event that they ask him to exchange Miller and Boeser.
If Demko and Garland were traded this offseason, the Canucks would have over $26 million in cap space. That’s good enough to make a serious run at Mitch Marner or Nikolaj Ehlers. It also opens them up to supply sheet possibilities, with Noah Dobson and Gabe Vilardi highlighting that group. Patrik Allvin has been dealt a bizarre hand with this team, and these trades could help him reset the squad.
