The Vancouver Canucks' dramatic week continues, with the aftershocks of the Quinn Hughes blockbuster trade still rippling through the organization. As the NHL's holiday roster freeze approaches on December 21, the team has signaled to the league that it remains open for business, potentially setting the stage for more moves before the deadline.
Open for Business: More Trades on the Horizon?
With the seismic trade of star defenceman Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild now complete, the Canucks' front office, led by President Jim Rutherford, is not done. Sources indicate the team has sent a memorandum to the league stating its willingness to listen to offers on a wide range of players. This includes not only pending unrestricted free agents but also key roster players like Marcus Pettersson, Conor Garland, Drew O'Connor, and others who possess various forms of trade protection.
The strategy appears clear: accelerate the rebuild by getting younger and acquiring assets. While players like Tyler Myers and Filip Hronek would have significant market value, their no-trade clauses give them ultimate control over their futures. Another area of focus is the goaltending tandem, which currently commands a hefty $13 million in cap space, though it remains uncertain if management can or will move either netminder.
Fantasy Trades and Realistic Scenarios
In the speculative world of NHL trade chatter, one intriguing "fantasy hockey" scenario has emerged involving the Buffalo Sabres. The proposed deal would see the Canucks acquire young defenceman Owen Power and forward Jack Quinn in exchange for forwards Conor Garland, Kiefer Sherwood, and Nils Hoglander.
This theoretical swap would align with Vancouver's youth movement, bringing in a potential top-pairing defender in the 22-year-old Power and a skilled winger in Quinn. For Buffalo, it would add proven NHL veterans to a skilled but playoff-starved roster. While such a blockbuster is considered a long shot, it underscores the type of transformative move the Canucks are reportedly seeking.
A more probable transaction involves forward Kiefer Sherwood. The physical winger, who started the season hot but has cooled recently, is drawing interest from playoff-bound teams like the Boston Bruins. Vancouver was initially seeking a first-round pick for Sherwood, but his recent production dip might see the return adjusted to a second-round selection, perhaps in 2026. His gritty, "hard to play against" style is viewed as a valuable commodity for the postseason.
The Persistent Practice Facility Problem
Amid the trade talk, a familiar and nagging issue for the franchise has resurfaced: the lack of a dedicated practice facility. Vancouver remains the only NHL team without a plan for its own training complex, a point highlighted once again by Quinn Hughes' comments about his new team's setup in Minnesota.
"It's a great facility," Hughes said of the Wild's arena. "Yeah, it's a beautiful facility for sure." This isn't the first time a departing Canuck has pointed out the disparity. Former head coach Rick Tocchet also cited Philadelphia's superior practice setup—with three sheets of ice—as an attractive tool when he left Vancouver last May. The Canucks currently split practice time between Rogers Arena and the University of British Columbia, a less-than-ideal situation that has been a recurring topic of criticism.
Up Next: A Date with Captain Bo
The Canucks (13-17-3), sitting last in the Pacific Division, now turn their attention to the ice, where they will face another former captain. The team travels to Elmont, New York, for a Friday matchup against Bo Horvat and the New York Islanders (19-12-3). Horvat has been instrumental for the Isles, playing so well that he's entered the conversation for a spot on Team Canada for the upcoming Olympics.
The Islanders are riding a five-game home winning streak into the contest. For the struggling Canucks, the game represents another tough test as they navigate a season now clearly focused on the future, both in the immediate trade market and in the long-term infrastructure of the club.
