The Olympic break may have hit pause on the NHL schedule, but it’s done nothing to quiet the buzz around the Vancouver Canucks. If anything, the rumor mill has only gotten louder. With the team sitting at a bit of a crossroads-part retool, part reset-other clubs are circling, trying to gauge whether Vancouver is just fine-tuning or preparing to make a bigger move.
And judging by how many teams are checking in, the phones in Vancouver haven’t stopped ringing. Some are looking for scoring help, others are testing the waters on a potential star acquisition, and a few are simply trying to get ahead of the market before the trade freeze lifts. Two storylines, in particular, are dominating the conversation: the Utah Mammoth’s search for forward help, and the Carolina Hurricanes’ continued interest in Elias Pettersson.
Utah’s Eyes on DeBrusk: A Fit That Won’t Go Away
Utah has been one of the more intriguing teams this season-hovering in the wild card race while acting like a team that wants more than just a quick playoff appearance. They’re not shy about their intentions, and they’ve been linked to Vancouver more than once in their search for scoring depth.
That’s where Jake DeBrusk keeps entering the picture.
Utah’s top nine has been held together with hardworking, but limited, options like Kailer Yamamoto and Michael Carcone. They’ve done their jobs, but come playoff time, it’s clear the Mammoth want more than just energy-they want experience and reliability.
DeBrusk checks those boxes. He’s been through playoff battles, knows how to handle tough minutes, and doesn’t need to be a game-breaker to make a real impact.
What he does is raise the floor-and that’s exactly what Utah’s forward group needs.
From Vancouver’s perspective, there’s no rush. DeBrusk has 13 goals and 28 points so far, trending toward a 19-goal season-right in line with his career averages.
He’s in the second year of a seven-year deal at $5.5 million per, which gives him enough term to be appealing without being a long-term cap anchor. If Utah comes to the table with a package that helps Vancouver’s retool-whether that’s futures, a young piece, or a mix-the Canucks would be wise to listen.
Nothing’s imminent, but the chatter around DeBrusk hasn’t faded. Utah looks like a team ready to buy, and DeBrusk looks like a player who fits what they’re trying to build. Sometimes, that’s all it takes for a rumor to stick around.
Carolina and the Pettersson Puzzle
Then there’s the Elias Pettersson situation-still simmering, still unresolved, and still drawing league-wide attention. Despite Vancouver’s insistence that nothing is happening, teams continue to check in, and insiders keep dropping Pettersson’s name back into the mix.
The Hurricanes are one of the teams that just won’t go away-and for good reason.
Carolina has built one of the league’s most consistent rosters over the past few years, with depth, structure, and flexibility. But what they’ve lacked is that true No. 1 offensive center-a game-changer down the middle who can tip the scales in a playoff series.
They’ve tried to find one. They’ve come close.
But they’ve never quite landed the guy.
Pettersson, even in a quieter season, is still that guy. He’s a dynamic playmaker who can drive matchups, create offense on his own, and elevate those around him. He’s the kind of player Carolina has been chasing.
And here’s the kicker: the Hurricanes can actually make a competitive offer. Jesperi Kotkaniemi’s name has come up as a possible cap piece, but the real value is in Carolina’s depth.
They’ve got prospects. They’ve got picks.
And they’ve got enough organizational strength to swing big without tearing the whole thing down. That’s a rare position to be in, especially for a contender.
From Vancouver’s side, the appeal is obvious. If they’re in transition-and it’s starting to look that way-then a younger center with term, plus future assets, is exactly the kind of return that fits a longer-term vision.
Pettersson still holds all the cards with a full no-movement clause and an $11.6 million cap hit, so nothing happens without his sign-off. But Carolina isn’t just a team throwing darts.
They make sense. They’re motivated.
And they’ve got the pieces.
Where Do the Canucks Go From Here?
The Olympic break may have slowed the action on the ice, but the conversations off it are heating up. Utah and Carolina are leading the headlines right now, but they won’t be the only ones circling once the trade freeze lifts.
The Canucks have some big decisions ahead-some that could shape the next few years of the franchise. Is this a true rebuild, or a retool around a few key pieces?
That’s the question management has to answer. And while nothing’s certain yet, one thing is clear: the noise around Vancouver isn’t going away anytime soon.