Insider Names Canucks’ No. 1 Priority This Summer (+ 1 Major Trade Candidate)

Despite setting an all-time NHL first last night by overcoming a three-goal deficit in the final minute of a game, the Vancouver Canucks will pretty certainly not be celebrating a playoff berth this season. Plans for the summer are already underway, with a No. 1 priority revealed by insider Darren Dreger.

Speaking on TSN's Insider Trading, Dreger says that shoring up the middle is GM Patrik Allvin's top focus.

We know that they're looking for, and they need, a No. 2 center. But how do they acquire that piece? You look at the unrestricted free agent market, it looks thin. So they're not afraid to spend some young assets, we're talking about draft picks, (and) their pool of prospects as some of the bait to acquire a No. 2 center.

Dreger then goes on to suggest a huge trade candidate on the roster that they could dangle out there to try to secure that much-needed pivot.

What about Thatcher Demko? As of next season he's going into the final year of his contract. But what does that extension discussion look like?... There are some who do believe that a trade is an option.

After finishing second in the voting for the Vezina Trophy in 2023-24, Demko has had an injury-riddled and otherwise disappointing season for the Canucks between the pipes, with a career-worst .889 save percentage in 23 starts.

Kevin Lankinen had taken over the No. 1 job in Demko's absence this season and earned himself a five-year extension ($4.5 million AAV). Demko finishes up his five-year deal with a $5M cap hit next season. The Canucks aren't likely to want to spend over $10 million on a goaltending duo going forward.

Down the middle, the Canucks are currently looking at a lineup for next year of the disappointing Elias Pettersson and Filip Chytl. Pius Suter, who has had a breakout season, is an unrestricted free agent. He had a two-goal performance in the final minute of Tuesday night's historic comeback.

Now if only they could have shown this kind of fortitude all season, they wouldn't be getting set to pack their bags and head home for the summer:

The Canucks scored THREE goals in the final minute to force overtime before eventually beating the Stars 😳

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— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) April 9, 2025