With the NHL trade deadline approaching, the Vancouver Canucks brace for possible roster changes, affecting key players and shaping the team’s future.
Canucks Brace for Possible Big Moves Before Trade Deadline
The Vancouver Canucks are entering a tense stretch, and it’s not the 25 games left in the season that have everyone on edge—it’s the 10 days leading up to the NHL trade deadline.
After one of the franchise’s most dramatic rebuilds in decades, the Canucks are preparing to part ways with veteran players, seeking draft picks or prospects in return. The moves could reshape the roster in ways fans may find hard to recognize.
Rumours Swirl Around Key Players
Trade speculation has taken over social media, with nearly every outlet listing potential Canucks on the move. Forwards Teddy Blueger, Evander Kane, and David Kampf—already declared available by management—are the most obvious names.
But rumours don’t stop there. Conor Garland, Jake DeBrusk, Elias Pettersson, and Brock Boeser are frequently mentioned. Even Filip Hronek, whom general manager Patrik Allvin isn’t actively shopping, pops up in speculation. The uncertainty leaves fans wondering how much of the current squad will survive the rebuild.
Players Respond to Trade Buzz
Jake DeBrusk, two seasons into a seven-year contract, acknowledged the challenge after practice at Rogers Arena. “When you’re last in the league, you know changes are coming. It’s tough on everyone, and with social media, it’s amplified,” he said.
Evander Kane added, “There’s chatter here 24/7. Whether you’ve been with the team one year or ten, it’s just part of the territory. For UFAs on a team out of playoff contention, trades can extend the season. That’s the reality.”
Blueger, meanwhile, hopes to stay in Vancouver but remains realistic. “My wife and I are at peace with whatever happens. We love the city, but if a trade happens, I hope it’s to a team with playoff potential.”
Conor Garland, traded from Arizona nearly five years ago, has grown accustomed to the rumours. “I’ve matured since my early days here. With a family, I focus on positive distractions—like playing mini-hockey with my son—so the noise doesn’t affect me.”
Management Prepares to Be Flexible
The Canucks don’t want to trade Garland, a reliable forward, but hockey operations president Jim Rutherford emphasized that all options remain on the table. Deals for UFAs like Blueger or Kane may involve mid-round draft picks, while veterans under contract could command more selective terms.
Coach Adam Foote acknowledges the challenges this creates. “Every day is different. The trade deadline adds noise, but the players are professionals. Our job is to grind through it and focus on the game.”
Blueger agrees that morale depends more on losses than trade speculation. “We stay professional, trying to win as much as we can and build for next year,” he said.
Ice Chips: Back on the Rink
After the Olympic break, the Canucks resumed practice, including some heated scrums. With goalie Kevin Lankinen delayed, Nikita Tolopilo is expected to start in goal for Wednesday’s matchup against the Winnipeg Jets. Brock Boeser, who practiced in a non-contact jersey Monday, was fully back in action Tuesday.
Projected Post-Olympics Lineup
Forwards: Kane–Pettersson–DeBrusk | O’Connor–Rossi–Boeser | Ohgren–Blueger–Garland | Hoglander–Kampf–Karlsson
Defencemen: Pettersson (Jr)–Hronek | Buium–Myers | M. Pettersson–Willander
Goaltenders: Tolopilo | Patera
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