The Vancouver Canucks are officially in teardown mode - and the moves they’ve made recently suggest this is just the beginning.
It started with a seismic shift: franchise cornerstone Quinn Hughes was shipped to the Minnesota Wild in a blockbuster deal that brought back a package of draft picks and promising young talent, including Marco Rossi and Zeev Buium. That trade didn’t just signal a change in direction - it confirmed it.
Vancouver isn’t just flirting with a rebuild. They’re diving in.
And the front office didn’t stop there. On Monday, they sent winger Kiefer Sherwood to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for a return centered around two second-round picks. It’s another move that prioritizes future assets over present production - a clear sign that Vancouver is playing the long game.
So, who’s next?
That’s the question circling around GM Jim Rutherford as he reshapes this roster. Center Elias Pettersson’s name continues to surface in trade discussions.
He’s still under contract for the long haul, which makes him a unique asset - not just a rental, but a potential cornerstone for a team looking to make a splash. The same goes for winger Connor Garland, who’s locked in at $6 million annually through 2032.
That kind of term can be a double-edged sword - stability for some, a cap headache for others - but it also makes him a known quantity for any team willing to take the plunge.
According to NHL insider David Pagnotta, the Canucks aren’t actively shopping Garland, but they’re not shutting down conversations either. “They’re cool holding on to him,” Pagnotta explained. “They don’t want to move him, per se, but they’re not against listening… He is in play from that perspective.”
That’s the tone coming out of Vancouver right now - open for business, but not desperate. They’re not conducting a fire sale.
They’re being selective, strategic. And that approach extends beyond Garland.
The Canucks are also reportedly listening to offers on Jake DeBrusk and Elias Pettersson, two players who could command significant returns if the right deal comes along.
This isn’t just about clearing cap space or collecting picks. It’s about reshaping the identity of the franchise. After years of treading water, the Canucks are finally committing to a vision - and while that means parting ways with familiar faces, it also opens the door to a new era in Vancouver.
The message is clear: no one is untouchable. Not anymore.