As the Olympic break hits pause on the NHL season, the Vancouver Canucks find themselves in a familiar but no less complicated spot: staring down a stretch of tough decisions with the playoffs likely out of reach. The conversation around this team isn’t about a Cinderella run-it’s about the long game. And right now, that means managing contracts, evaluating trade value, and figuring out who fits into the future blueprint.
Let’s break down the three key storylines shaping Vancouver’s immediate outlook.
1. Conor Garland’s Contract Clock Is Ticking
Conor Garland isn’t dominating headlines, but maybe he should be. The 27-year-old winger is quietly sitting at the center of one of the Canucks’ most time-sensitive decisions.
Last summer, Garland signed a six-year deal with a $6 million average annual value-a number that, in the right context, isn’t unreasonable. But here’s where things get interesting: his full no-move clause doesn’t kick in until next season.
That gives Vancouver a closing window of flexibility.
Right now, Garland can be moved without restrictions. After this season?
That changes dramatically. For a front office trying to stockpile assets and build toward a sustainable future, that matters.
Once those trade protections lock in, the Canucks lose leverage, and any potential return in a deal could shrink.
Garland hasn’t asked out, and there’s been no visible tension. He’s a respected presence in the room and plays with grit-traits that don’t go unnoticed.
But the longer the rebuild stretches, the more likely it becomes that players in his position might want a change of scenery. That’s not a knock on Garland-it’s just the reality of a team transitioning from veteran-heavy to youth-driven.
If Vancouver is serious about turning current contracts into future capital, Garland’s situation is one to monitor closely. The time to act-if they choose to-might be now.
2. Warren Foegele: A Low-Risk, High-Upside Target?
With the trade deadline approaching, the Canucks are reportedly eyeing Warren Foegele as a potential pickup. Currently with the Kings, Foegele’s name is starting to surface in trade chatter-and for good reason.
He’s not having a banner year-six goals and eight points so far-but the potential is there. At a $3.5 million cap hit, he wouldn’t break the bank, and his past production (including a pair of 20-goal seasons) suggests he’s capable of more than he’s shown this year. If Vancouver can help him rediscover that scoring touch, he becomes a valuable piece-either as a depth contributor now or as a trade chip later.
This is the kind of move that fits a rebuild mindset: low-risk, potentially high-reward. The key is making sure a player like Foegele doesn’t block the development of younger talent. But if the fit is right, he could provide immediate help and long-term flexibility.
Foegele’s history with the Oilers showed he can be effective in the right system. If the Canucks believe they can unlock that version of him again, it might be worth a mid-round pick to find out.
3. Tyler Myers’ Slump Highlights Bigger Team Struggles
Tyler Myers is in a rough patch. Since the holiday break, the veteran defenseman has gone 21 games without a goal and carries a minus-15 rating over that span. The stat line also includes 34 shots, 22 hits, 21 blocks, and 12 penalty minutes-not exactly eye-popping, but not invisible either.
The truth is, Myers isn’t playing poorly in isolation. He’s still logging minutes, still being physical, still doing the little things that don’t always show up in the box score. But when a team is struggling across the board, individual slumps get magnified.
Myers is a big-bodied blueliner who’s never been known for flashy offensive production, but even by his standards, this stretch has been tough. The Canucks’ broader issues-limited scoring from the back end, inconsistent special teams, and a lack of puck support-aren’t helping his cause.
If Vancouver wants to get more out of Myers, the fix isn’t just about him-it’s about stabilizing the team around him. Until that happens, expect his numbers to reflect the turbulence.
What Comes Next
The Olympic break offers a moment to regroup, but it’s also the calm before the storm. Vancouver’s front office has decisions to make-some immediate, some foundational.
Garland’s trade window is closing. Foegele presents an intriguing gamble.
And veterans like Myers are navigating through a tough stretch that says as much about the team as it does the player.
The Canucks aren’t in full teardown mode, but they’re clearly recalibrating. That means looking for value, protecting cap space, and giving younger players a chance to grow into bigger roles. Every move from here on out should reflect that vision.
March will come fast, and with it, the pressure to act. The Canucks don’t have to get everything right overnight-but they do have to be smart, strategic, and ready to pivot when the right opportunity comes along.