As the Vancouver Canucks navigate their first offseason of their newly established rebuild, there are a variety of things to consider in the Canucks’ offseason plans. Drafting will be on centre stage, but an important aspect of any rebuild is grit and veteran leadership. Being tougher to play against will be beneficial not only for the young players but also could establish a positive culture, something Vancouver desperately needs. We have already looked at the goaltending situation for next season, so today, we will look at five forwards the team could target.
Five Forwards To Target in the Canucks’ Offseason Plans
Current Salary Cap Situation and Pending UFAs to Re-Sign
Credit Image: © Daniel Lea/Cal Sport Media
Before we get into potential trades and free agent signings, the Canucks have a couple of important forwards to re-sign who could be essential for the team culture. Teddy Blueger is one such player, and he has stated that he would want to stay on the team and improve the culture. Curtis Douglas is the other forward the Canucks should extend, as he has shown that he can protect the young players. He was brought in at the trade deadline last season as a waiver claim. Zeev Buium has said that Douglas has allowed him to play more freely. After all, Douglas is the tallest active player in the NHL, so he would be an intimidating presence.
Zeev Buium is a big fan of having Curtis Douglas on his team 👊 pic.twitter.com/yQXusgr3Ev
— CanucksArmy (@CanucksArmy) April 19, 2026
As for the salary cap, the Canucks have over $21 million to work with this offseason, with no prominent players to re-sign. This allows flexibility for the Canucks to add some grit and veteran leadership to the locker room.
Grit and Veteran Leadership Key in Offseason Forward Targets
In addition to adding more veteran presence to the locker room, something to consider is how flippable the players will be at the trade deadline. As the Canucks rebuild, stockpiling draft picks will be important, and high-character, gritty players are usually highly sought after at each deadline. Now, let us look at five players who may fit this bill.
1. Brendan Gallagher (Montreal Canadiens)
Gallagher is a natural fit for the Canucks, as not only does he have connections to the city of Vancouver, but he also has the leadership qualities necessary to mentor young players. The former Vancouver Giants star and right winger carries at $6.5 million salary cap hit for one more season, and could be a player the Habs want to shed as they keep improving their young squad. Players and personnel in Montreal have been very grateful for Gallagher’s professionalism and leadership, despite his dwindling minutes and lack of production this season. “He’s been a big part in that leadership role and helped our young guys to evolve,” said head coach Martin St. Louis. “He’s played hard. Gally’s a pro.”
2. Nick Foligno (Minnesota Wild)
While it is uncertain that Foligno will continue playing in the NHL next season, the Canucks could only benefit from a player like Foligno in the locker room. The 38-year-old left winger will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Bringing in Foligno may be a tough ask, considering that he is currently on the same team as his brother, Marcus. He was also recently the captain of the Chicago Blackhawks, before getting traded to the Wild at the trade deadline this season.
Foligno did not get a return from the Wild in his latest trade, as he was traded for future considerations. However, at a more reasonable cap hit, he could garner some kind of draft pick return, should he be flipped at the deadline.
3. Ryan Lomberg (Calgary Flames)
If the Canucks want more physical presence on the ice, Lomberg could be their guy. Beyond delivering big hits, he is also a relentless forechecker who could be very effective in a fourth-line role. With speed, grit, and tenacity, he could be a great role model to the team, akin to someone like Kiefer Sherwood. While he may not produce as Sherwood did in Vancouver, he could only help the players around him. The 31-year-old left winger will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
4. Brandon Duhaime (Washington Capitals)
Duhaime would function in a role similar to Lomberg’s and could also be a jack-of-all-trades. Physical play, crashing the net, and responsible defensive play are his fortes. He is also a reliable penalty-killer who can strengthen an area where the Canucks have continually struggled last season. “Dewey’s a stabilizer, he’s a guy that’s really responsible, really smart, really strong in the key areas of the ice,” said head coach Spencer Carbery. Well-liked in the locker room and known for his pranks, he could bring fun into the locker room while being a role model for his accountability. The 29-year-old right-winger will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
As for his trade history, the Colorado Avalanche acquired Duhaime from the Minnesota Wild at the 2024 trade deadline for a 2026 third-round draft pick. That would be a good trade-off if the Canucks flip him at the trade deadline.
5. Michael McCarron (Minnesota Wild)
McCarron is an effective fourth-line centre who plays a grinding style of game. Standing at six-foot-six and weighing 232 pounds, he can be a physical presence who is responsible in defensive situations, such as the penalty kill. He is also very proficient in the faceoff dot, as he has a career average of 52.7%. Centres are always very coveted in the league, and if the Canucks can sign him at a reasonable cap hit, he could be a great asset to flip at the trade deadline. The 31-year-old centre will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
The trade history for McCarron is something to consider. The Minnesota Wild acquired him at the 2026 trade deadline from the Nashville Predators in exchange for a 2028 second-round draft pick. That illustrates just how valuable depth centres can be. Having more effective centres in the organization can always be useful for trade deadline dealings.
There are many players the Canucks could target this offseason, but it is important to consider that offensive talent should not be the main goal in a rebuild. These five players are just the tip of the iceberg of players the Canucks will likely look at, so leave your thoughts in the comments below if you think the Canucks should go for a particular player not mentioned here today.
Main Photo: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
