The Vancouver Canucks are staring down another frustrating season, and for fans, it’s a tough pill to swallow. Just two years ago, this was the top team in the Pacific Division - a group that looked poised to contend.
Now? They’re struggling to find their footing under a new coach, and the ripple effects could shake up the roster in a big way before the NHL Trade Deadline.
The transition to Adam Foote behind the bench hasn’t been seamless. Foote, in his first season as head coach, took over after Rick Tocchet left for the Flyers’ job in Philadelphia.
And while coaching changes always bring adjustments, this one has come with growing pains. The Canucks haven’t quite clicked under Foote’s system yet, and the results have been inconsistent at best.
Naturally, when a team underperforms, the trade winds start to swirl. And in Vancouver, those winds are picking up.
According to Elliotte Friedman, while nothing is imminent, the Canucks are expected to be “open for business” sooner rather than later. Teams like Minnesota, Boston, and Philadelphia have reportedly shown interest, and that list could grow as the deadline approaches.
So who might be on the move?
Let’s start with the name that would send shockwaves through Vancouver: Quinn Hughes. The idea of trading Hughes isn’t something the Canucks - or their fans - would take lightly.
He’s not just a cornerstone of the franchise; he’s arguably the best defenseman the team has ever had. He’s elite, plain and simple, and still just entering his prime.
But if the Canucks decide it’s time to hit the reset button in a major way, Hughes becomes part of that conversation. There’s also the family factor.
Hughes has been open about the appeal of playing with his brothers, Jack and Luke, both of whom are with the New Jersey Devils. That storyline writes itself.
And don’t sleep on Detroit either - Hughes played his college hockey at Michigan, and the Red Wings could be a fit if Vancouver starts fielding serious offers.
Then there’s Kiefer Sherwood, a pending unrestricted free agent whose future in Vancouver is very much up in the air. If the Canucks are out of the playoff picture by March, Sherwood’s name will be near the top of the trade board.
He’s said all the right things - that he loves the group and is taking it day by day - but he also understands how the business works. If a contender comes calling, Vancouver will have to listen.
Conor Garland is another name to watch, though his situation is a bit more complicated. He’s under contract for multiple more seasons with a $6 million cap hit, which makes him harder to move.
But he’s also a player who brings energy, offensive upside, and playoff-ready grit - the kind of player who could help push a good team over the top. Garland came just two points shy of his career high last season, and he’s the type of competitor teams covet in the spring.
The Canucks are at a crossroads. This isn’t just about salvaging a season; it’s about deciding what direction this franchise wants to go.
Do they try to retool on the fly, or is it time for a deeper rebuild? The decisions they make in the coming weeks will shape that path - and potentially reshape the roster in a major way.
For now, all eyes are on Vancouver. The team may not be making moves just yet, but the groundwork is being laid. And if things don’t turn around on the ice soon, expect the Canucks to be one of the most active teams leading up to the trade deadline.