Canucks Rumors: Vancouver Likely To Make Trade For One Area This Summer
With a projected $14 million in cap space and key pending UFAs like Brock Boeser and Pius Suter, the Canucks may not have the financial flexibility to land a top-tier free agent.
Johnston notes that while Mitch Marner is the biggest potential UFA, it’s uncertain if he’ll even reach the market. Nikolaj Ehlers could be an option, but Johnston questions if the Canucks need another small forward.
Instead, he believes GM Patrik Allvin will look to the trade market.
Nothing makes me happier than Matt Duchene scoring in Colorado pic.twitter.com/he1VKx25wy
— stone (@apollostoney) March 16, 2025
Vancouver’s trade deadline approach left fans wondering about the team’s plan up front. Johnston acknowledges that Allvin did a strong job restructuring the defense, but the forward group remains a question mark.
“Some veterans are out there, like Matt Duchene and John Tavares, but a trade still feels more likely,” he writes. The Canucks weren’t willing to move top prospects like Jonathan Lekkerimäki or Tom Willander at the deadline, which limited their flexibility, but they may revisit options in the summer.
John Tavares played his 500th game with #LeafsForever
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) March 18, 2025
His 475 points are the 6th-most in franchise history through a player's first 500 games (211 G, 264 A). pic.twitter.com/HUWOoK1KH1
Boeser’s future is also uncertain after a midseason slump and lingering medical concerns.
Johnston believes his struggles were mental rather than physical, particularly following the trade of J.T. Miller. If Boeser rebounds alongside Elias Pettersson, his value—either as a trade chip or for a new contract—could increase.
“He knows how to win pucks and where the goals are scored,” Johnston writes. Whether the Canucks keep him or use him to acquire another forward, change is expected.
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