Ex-NHL Scout Blows Up Canucks’s Roster Ahead of Trade Deadline

The conversation around the Vancouver Canucks has shifted over the last few weeks, especially with the upcoming Trade Deadline influencing the team’s direction. A recent Sportsnet report by former NHL scout Jason Bukala made it pretty clear that the direction of the franchise has changed. After years of trying to stay competitive while fixing issues around the core, it has all come to a head this season. Now, it looks like Vancouver is finally ready to commit to a full rebuild.

Let’s get into what Bukala highlighted in his report as it relates to moves before the deadline for trades.

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Trade Deadline Candidates

The Canucks are willing to listen on just about anyone. The biggest name available by far is Elias Pettersson.

He’s a star player, but his recent struggles have made him a much more realistic trade candidate than in years past. Just a year ago, this organization decided to keep him over J.T. Miller. Now that he’s available, Bukala mentioned the Carolina Hurricanes, San Jose Sharks, and Anaheim Ducks as possible fits. Mostly because they have the assets Vancouver would want in return. And, of course, as the Trade Deadline approaches, these names become even more relevant for Vancouver’s strategy.

Beyond Pettersson, Evander Kane feels like another name to watch closely. His production has dipped, but his physical style still carries value, especially for playoff teams. Bukala mentioned the Colorado Avalanche and Los Angeles Kings as potential landing spots if Vancouver is willing to use one of its remaining salary retention slots.

Moving Kane, along with someone like Jake DeBrusk, would help the Canucks add draft picks while also clearing cap space for next season, positioning themselves well when Trade Deadline decisions need to be made.

Building for the Future

For General Manager Patrik Allvin, the priority now is fairly simple. Acquire as many assets as possible and rebuild. The Canucks have already started down that road with moves involving players like Quinn Hughes and Kiefer Sherwood. If they continue along this path at the trade deadline, it would allow them to begin restocking a prospect pool that has been thin for years. That, in turn, could help turn the franchise around as early as the 2026 NHL Draft.

There has been a lot happening in Vancouver over the past few seasons, and most of the coverage has revolved around drama rather than results. Now, it feels like the organization has reached the point of no return. Tearing it down appears to be the most viable option. It is possible the franchise’s trajectory could change dramatically at the upcoming trade deadline. If the Canucks fully commit to this rebuild, the upcoming trade deadline could shape the future of the franchise for years to come.

This team is about to be blown up, with some of the biggest names still yet to be traded. When you think about the fact that this club had Bo Horvat, J.T. Miller, Quinn Hughes, and Elias Pettersson and now may have none of these players, it’s wild to think about how far they’ve fallen.

Next: The Best Landing Spot for Elias Pettersson: New York Islanders