NHL Rumors: Canucks Linked to 7 Trade Targets
The idea is to target distressed assets, meaning underperforming veterans on awkward contracts who might bounce back with different usage, a different role, or just a different room.
In a cap world where pure talent is the scarcest thing, the Canucks sniffing around players other teams are frustrated with can be a sneaky way to add NHL help without paying the premium price of an obvious upgrade.
Warren Foegele, Los Angeles Kings
Foegele is the classic buy-low winger, as recent history says he can score at five on five, the current season says the production has fallen off a cliff.
If the Los Angeles Kings truly feel overloaded on the wing, and if they are motivated to move money or open spots, that is where Vancouver can pounce.
"Warren Foegele had a great year last year. He's been out of the lineup the last couple of games ... So, got to work the phones here" - Ken Holland
— Benchrates (@benchrates) February 8, 2026
Foegele faced a massive decline this season, and the change of scenery could help him. He produced 0.5 PTS/GP recently, he signed… pic.twitter.com/Uod65T3efE
The Canucks would be betting that Foegele’s even-strength impact comes back with steadier minutes and some puck luck, and if it does, he becomes either a useful middle six piece or a future flip when his value is repaired.
Ryan Strome, Anaheim Ducks
Strome is the center depth version of the same concept.
If the Anaheim Ducks have pushed him down the lineup and reduced his role, Vancouver could pitch the change of scenery angle and try to buy a rebound in usage and points.
The tricky part is cost. The Canucks cannot be paying meaningful futures just to take on a veteran cap hit, but if there is a structure where Vancouver moves something the Ducks want and Strome comes back as part of the math, it starts looking like a reasonable bet.
Barrett Hayton, Utah Mammoth
Hayton feels like the hardest one to actually land because centers get expensive fast, even when they are not firing on all cylinders.
If the Utah Mammoth are sorting out their own roster priorities and future contracts, Hayton is the type of player other teams will circle because he plays a premium position and still has runway.
🚨 Barrett Hayton power play goal! 🚨 pic.twitter.com/1Vr0zPUgzK
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) October 17, 2024
For Vancouver, this is more of a monitor situation unless a bigger deal opens the door and Hayton becomes the kind of piece that can come back in a larger trade package.
Andrew Mangiapane, Edmonton Oilers
Mangiapane is the cap crunch target.
If the Edmonton Oilers are forced into a dollar in, dollar out approach, they may need to move a contract that is not fitting cleanly, and Mangiapane has been the kind of name that can end up in that conversation.
Vancouver taking him on only makes sense if there is real value coming with him, such as a sweetener pick, because the Canucks are not one move away from a Cup run and do not need to donate flexibility to a rival for free.
Oliver Bjorkstrand, Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa is always looking for ways to optimize around its core, and if the Lightning decide they need to reshuffle the deck for another run, Oliver Bjorkstrand’s contract and current output could make him movable.
Vancouver’s angle would be if Tampa needs room and the market is soft, the Canucks can offer relief, then see if Bjorkstrand’s production pops in a new environment and a new role.
The prospect angle: Conor Geekie, Jiri Kulich, Ivan Miroshnichenko
Dayal and Drance also floated a more rebuild-minded lane, which is prying loose young talent from rival pipelines. That is the harder path, because teams rarely give away the types of prospects that actually move a rebuild forward.
Still, if Vancouver is willing to move a veteran that fits another club’s timeline, that is where names like Conor Geekie, Jiri Kulich, or Ivan Miroshnichenko become worth asking about.
Even if the answer is no, the Canucks are at a stage where pushing those conversations makes sense.
Photo Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
