As the NHL trade deadline creeps closer, the Vancouver Canucks find themselves at the center of plenty of speculation - but don’t expect a full-blown fire sale. Despite a flurry of trade chatter surrounding names like Elias Pettersson, Evander Kane, and Conor Garland, the Canucks are drawing a clear line in the sand when it comes to their core.
According to insider David Pagnotta, the Canucks have a group of players who are essentially off-limits - a signal that the front office isn’t looking to blow things up, but rather fine-tune around a foundation they believe in.
“Really, the only guys that I get a sense of really don’t have a shot at being moved right now: Kevin Lankinen, Brock Boeser, Marcus Pettersson, Filip Hronek; Tyler Myers; the guys they got from Minnesota,” Pagnotta said during an appearance on Inside Sports.
Let’s break that down.
Brock Boeser and Filip Hronek aren’t just staying - they’re central to what Vancouver is building. Boeser, in particular, has made it clear he wants to be part of the solution.
After all, he re-signed for less money last summer when it looked like the Canucks were ready to move on. That kind of commitment doesn’t happen often in today’s NHL, and it speaks volumes about his connection to the city and the team.
There are personal reasons behind his desire to stay, and the organization is clearly on board.
Hronek, meanwhile, has quietly become a key piece on the back end. His agent has made it known that both sides are happy with the current situation, and that mutual satisfaction is keeping him firmly planted in Vancouver’s plans.
Tyler Myers and Marcus Pettersson are also seen as part of the defensive core moving forward. Myers brings size and experience, while Pettersson continues to develop into a steady presence on the blue line. Together, they help provide the kind of stability every contending team needs on the back end.
Then there’s Kevin Lankinen, whose inclusion among the “untouchables” is particularly interesting. Reading between the lines, it suggests that Thatcher Demko - once viewed as the goaltender of the future - may not be as locked in as he once was.
Demko’s recurring injury issues have raised red flags, and while he’s still a high-end talent when healthy, availability is becoming a concern. His name has popped up in trade rumors, and while nothing is imminent, it’s clear Vancouver is at least listening.
With the Olympic break just around the corner, the clock is ticking - but don’t expect Vancouver to rush into anything. The Canucks seem focused on protecting their core group while exploring selective moves around the edges. It’s less about retooling from scratch and more about making smart, strategic adjustments to stay competitive in a tight Western Conference race.
Bottom line: Vancouver’s not blowing it up - they’re building with intention.