“Based on the list (of free agents) that we’ve looked at, we’re going to have to do better than that. So it’s probably a trade. It’ll be expensive. But it’ll also be very expensive not to get (a top-six centre). So we’re going to be open to do whatever it takes. . . to get that player.” ll— Canucks president Jim Rutherford, April 21, 2025
More than two months later, the Vancouver Canucks are still trying to make their big trade for a centre. And on Tuesday, they’ll be looking at free agents as Plan B.
Plan B is also expensive.
With J.T. Miller traded, Elias Pettersson a hologram on ice last season, and then Filip Chytil injured after he was acquired, the Canucks’ dire need for another top-six centre was exposed as their sour season wound down this spring without a playoff appearance.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO 1130 NEWSRADIO VANCOUVER LIVE!Rutherford was right about the free-agent list, which went from thin to see-through when top-of-the-lineup centres Sam Bennett, Matt Duchene and John Tavares took themselves out of the free-agent pool by re-signing with their National Hockey League teams.
But what no one knew two months ago (although many suspected) is that new and evolving economic forces — the sudden flood of salary-cap space in a league when almost everyone is desperate to make the playoffs — have seriously restricted the trade of top-six forwards and top-four defencemen.
As free agency approaches, the Canucks trade mission is ongoing. General manager Patrik Allvin is believed to be involved in pretty much everything being discussed around the NHL. But centres seem to have surpassed right-side defencemen as the NHL’s most valuable commodity.
The team also needs offence, generally, especially since long-serving goal scorer Brock Boeser, determined to find term in free agency after accepting a pair of bridge deals with the Canucks, is likely leaving on July 1. And so too, probably, is versatile forward, penalty killer and 25-goal scorer Pius Suter.
On the ice, last week’s acquisition of winger Evander Kane should help. But the Canucks need more. Through trade or free agency or “whatever it takes.”
Salary cap space: $9.55 million
Roster size: 19/23
Salary committed to forwards: $43.66 million
Salary committed to defencemen: $27.31 million
Salary committed to goaltenders: $9.5 million
Dead cap space, buyouts and retained salary: $5.48 million
Potential UFA Targets
Nikolaj Ehlers, 29, LW, Winnipeg, Exp. AVV: $6 million
With centres Bennett, Duchene and Tavares off the market, the Canucks are expected to pivot to Ehlers as a dynamic (and expensive), Grade-A option for their attack. It’s questionable whether the Canucks can afford the Dane’s price — or even be near the front of the stampede of teams charging towards him — but Ehlers’ speed, offensive pedigree and power-play ability offset the main knock against him, which is durability. There is a lot for the Canucks to like. Ehlers may not want to play in another Canadian market, but Vancouver can at least grant him his wish to be a first-liner and offensive focal point.
Mikael Granlund, 33, LW/C, Dallas, Exp. AVV: $5 million
The two-way Finnish forward looked close to finished as a significant offensive threat after a dismal 21-game (and one goal) stint with Pittsburgh two years ago. But he refurbished his reputation with a lousy San Jose Sharks team, then validated it last spring after a trade to the powerful Dallas Stars. He finished last season with 22 goals and 63 points, but also played in all situations and had some impressive playoff moments on Dallas’ top line. His average ice time of 17:05 was actually more than Roope Hintz’s (16:53). For his grit, versatility, experience and faceoff skills, Granlund would be a strong second-line option for the Canucks.
Jack Roslovic, 28, C, Carolina, Exp. AVV: $2.8 million
About to join his fourth team in less than two years, Roslovic doesn’t exactly get hearts racing at the idea of his acquisition. But for a middle-six centre, the American has quite a bit to offer. He skates well, plays both power play and penalty kill, shoots right and won 54 per cent of his faceoffs last season. His 22 goals with the Hurricanes also matched his career-high, and his 39 points weren’t far off Roslovic’s high-water mark of 45, set three years ago in Columbus. And he’s younger and will be cheaper than many of the top free agents.
Christian Dvorak, 29, C, Montreal, Exp. AVV: $4.45 million
Dvorak didn’t quite become the player the Canadiens hoped when they acquired him from the Arizona Coyotes four years ago. But he has proven to be a dependable third-line centre who can kill penalties and win faceoffs. A perennial ace, Dvorak won 55.8 per cent of his draws last season, which was actually down slightly from the previous year but would check a huge box for the Canucks, who badly missed J.T. Miller in the circle after he was traded to New York. Dvorak will also contribute double-digit goals and at least 30 points.
Pius Suter, 29, C, Vancouver, Exp. AVV: $1.6 million
Readers old enough to remember “Seinfeld” (or just watch the perpetual reruns) may recall the impossibility of George Costanza’s girlfriend-roommate switch. It just can’t be done. Signing your own UFA — after July 1 — may have even lower odds. But if there’s a team and a player who could reconcile due to pragmatic need and suppressed fondness for one another, it could be Suter and the Canucks. The versatile centre from Zurich WAS the Canucks’ Swiss army knife, playing everywhere from fourth-line centre to first-line winger, and him leaving creates another problem for Vancouver. Suter blasted through his previous offensive ceiling to register career highs of 25 goals and 46 points last season, so he won’t be cheap. Still, the team may discover he is/was its best option, and Suter may discover the grass isn’t greener anywhere else. But probably not.
Other potential fits: Gustav Nyquist, RW, Minnesota; Nick Bjugstad, C, Utah; Michael Carcone, LW, Utah; Colin Blackwell, C, Dallas; Victor Olofsson, LW, Vegas; Mason Appleton, C/RW, Winnipeg.