NHL Trade Rumors: Vancouver Canucks Having Trade Offers Rejected

The Vancouver Canucks have been trying to upgrade their roster all offseason long, and so far, they haven't been able to close the biggest gap within their lineup, second line center.

Multiple reports have surfaced stating the Canucks didn't gauge the market properly and missed out on several free agents early in July, as they felt the trade route would be better suited to fit their needs, and it turns out that's not the case at all.

While Elias Pettersson may have bulked up and is ready for a bounce-back season in Vancouver, they are extremely thin down the middle of the ice. Evander Kane was acquired, but he's a winger who has no experience down the middle. Brock Boeser was re-signed, but again, a winger.

For now, Filip Chytil is set to be the Canucks' second-line center. After Chytil, their depth is going to be a topic of conversation throughout training camp as the lineup takes shape. On the free-agent market, Jack Roslovic is still available, and he does have some experience playing down the middle, however, his best seasons have come at the wing, including scoring 20+ goals last season in Carolina.

With training camp starting in less than two weeks, the Canucks want to get themselves back into the playoffs this season, but they may have to give up a prospect, or a reasonably high draft pick if they want to land some help up front.

With that said, as the trade talks have quieted down quite a bit at the moment, don't expect to see the Canucks pull the trigger before the preseason starts in two weeks, and they'll likely make a move once they give Chytil a chance to prove himself.