The Western Hockey League's trade deadline is fast approaching, and one of the most intriguing storylines revolves around a top Vancouver Canucks prospect. The question on many minds is whether the Seattle Thunderbirds will deal centre Braeden Cootes before the January 8 cutoff.
The Seattle Dilemma: To Rebuild or Retool?
The Thunderbirds find themselves in a difficult position in the WHL's Western Conference, sitting 11th out of 12 teams with a record of 14 wins, 14 losses, 2 overtime losses, and 2 shootout losses (14-14-2-2). However, the conference is remarkably tight. As of this week, a mere seven points separate Seattle from the third-place Penticton Vees, with several teams holding games in hand.
Seattle General Manager Bill La Forge confirmed that his club is still evaluating its strategy leading up to the deadline. He expressed strong appreciation for what Cootes brings to the team, both as a player and as a leader. The 18-year-old from Sherwood Park, Alberta, is serving his second consecutive season as Seattle's captain.
Before departing to represent Canada at the World Junior Championship in Minnesota, Cootes had compiled an impressive 10 goals and 23 points in just 17 WHL games. The Canucks selected him with the 15th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.
Potential Suitors and a Precedent for a Major Return
La Forge acknowledged that trading a player of Cootes' calibre would command a significant return. He pointed to last season's blockbuster deal that sent Andrew Cristall from Kelowna to Spokane as a comparable framework. That transaction involved multiple players and a haul of draft picks, including two first-round selections.
This season, the Kelowna Rockets have emerged as a potential buyer. Having secured the hosting rights for the 2026 Memorial Cup, they are looking to bolster their roster for a championship run. Currently fifth in the West, the Rockets have a specific need on defence, especially after recent acquisition Peyton Kettles suffered a season-ending shoulder injury.
According to WHL trade tracker Alan Caldwell, Kelowna possesses valuable future draft capital, including first-round picks in 2026 and 2027, which could be used in a major deal.
Another logical fit could be the Edmonton Oil Kings, who are contending near the top of the Eastern Conference. A move to Edmonton would also represent a homecoming for Cootes, who hails from the nearby Sherwood Park suburb. Caldwell's analysis suggests the Oil Kings have the assets, including a 2027 first-round pick, to make a competitive offer.
Other Factors Influencing the Deadline
The Thunderbirds have another valuable trade chip in defenceman Radim Mrtka, a Buffalo Sabres first-round pick currently at the World Juniors with Czechia. His potential availability could also attract teams like Kelowna and command a similar high-pick package.
All WHL transactions involving players at the World Juniors cannot be officially announced until their national team is eliminated from the tournament, which concludes on January 5. However, news of such agreements often leaks beforehand.
Cootes' own future adds another layer. He saw limited action in three NHL games with Vancouver earlier this season before being returned to junior. There is a possibility he could make the Canucks' roster full-time next season. Furthermore, a new rule coming into effect will allow NHL teams to assign one 19-year-old CHL prospect to their AHL affiliate, providing another potential development path.
These considerations about Cootes' NHL trajectory are undoubtedly part of Seattle's calculus. The changing landscape of major junior hockey, including new NCAA eligibility for WHL players, is causing teams to re-evaluate their long-term planning, as the Victoria Royals learned last summer when two key young players departed for university.
As the clock ticks down to January 8, the decision on Braeden Cootes will be a defining moment for the Seattle Thunderbirds' season and a closely watched development for Vancouver Canucks fans monitoring the progress of their prized prospect.
