Welcome to another edition of NHL Rumours. As the Stanley Cup Final is finished, a lot of off-ice news is hitting the hockey world, including trades, coaching hires, and all the preparation for the upcoming NHL Entry Draft. With the Vancouver Canucks entrenched in a long rebuild to come, the trade rumours surrounding them will be aplenty.
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NHL Rumours and Canucks Could Look to Trade Off Veterans
Rumour: On a June 17th episode of the Oilers Now Podcast, TSN’s Pierre LeBrun discussed the latest rumblings around veterans Elias Pettersson, Brock Boeser, and Jake DeBrusk, three players who are reportedly available for a trade.
Analysis: As the Canucks embark on their rebuild, it is unsurprising that they would consider trading off players who are in their late 20s or early 30s, who could fetch some value on the market. However, with the tough season that the team just had, none of their top veteran forwards would have very high trade value.
DeBrusk Likely to Be Top Trade Bait This Offseason
Out of the three names mentioned, DeBrusk is the most likely to be traded this offseason. As we have previously discussed, DeBrusk is a player on a reasonable cap hit who would not really fit the timeline of the rebuild. DeBrusk has been rumoured to not want to stay for a rebuild, as that was not what he signed up for. DeBrusk has a $5.5 million cap hit until 2031, and with the cap going up, a 20-goal scorer who can be a good netfront presence on the power play would be a fine addition for any team looking for a solid winger. The Edmonton Oilers or Ottawa Senators come to mind as teams that would be interested.
Pettersson Rumours Are Aplenty, But Is It the Right Time to Trade Him?
The much-discussed Elias Pettersson will undoubtedly generate a lot of trade talks this offseason, but with the cap gradually going up, it may be wiser to hold on to Pettersson for a while longer, as trading him while his trade value is at its lowest would be a waste. LeBrun, on the Oilers Now Podcast, mentioned that in order for a trade to be facilitated, the Canucks would have to be willing to retain salary. With six years left on Pettersson’s $11.6 million annual contract, a retention would cripple the Canucks’ cap flexibility, given that they still have the Oliver Ekman-Larsson buyout penalty to keep paying.
Given that, it would likely be in the Canucks’ best interest to wait it out and hope that he improves and raises his stock. Considering Pettersson’s value is already at its lowest, it is hard to see how it could get any worse from here, especially with the new coach and management group being proactive in helping him out.
Is it Truly an Offseason Without Some Boeser Rumours?
Whether it is a trade deadline or an offseason, Brock Boeser’s name usually comes up in trade talks. Boeser is coming off a very rough season, with just 48 points in 75 games, the lowest since the 2021-22 season. He had long stretches with no goals. However, he is one of the most well-liked players among fans and in the locker room. While the Canucks could be eager to trade off their veterans, they cannot blow it all up at once and leave the young players with no leader to turn to. Boeser would be a popular choice as the next captain of the team, but the team’s roster needs to be stabilized before a captain is named.
The Changing of the Guard Will Happen Eventually
One thing that will inevitably happen with the Canucks is a reshaping of the team. It is very possible that they will part with most older or veteran players who were part of previous management regimes. Everything is on the table at the start of a rebuild, and the Canucks should explore any enticing options. It is time for a fresh start, so maybe it is time for some big changes. It might hurt to see some players go, but long-suffering Canuck fans would likely welcome some bold moves.
As the offseason continues, so will the rumours and trade talks, so keep it locked here at Last Word on Hockey for all your offseason coverage.
Main Photo Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
