Report: Canucks’ Drew O’Connor Drawing Trade Attention

Vancouver Canucks forward Drew O’Connor is a versatile mid-six forward who will attract plenty of interest this season, according to The Fourth Period, which ranked him No. 18 on its November Trade Watch List.

The Fourth Period wrote that contenders will come calling, but a move may not happen until closer to the trade deadline.

So far this season, he's at two goals and four points through 16 games played. He's also averaging a career-high 15:53 time on ice per game, up from 14:35 last year.

What O’Connor Brings

O’Connor stands 6-foot-4 and 209 pounds, and signed a two-year, $5 million extension with a $2.5 million cap hit shortly after Vancouver acquired him from Pittsburgh alongside Marcus Pettersson in 2025, which makes him a pending unrestricted free agent this summer.

He set a career high with 17 goals and 29 points in 82 games last season, and he was one of only three Canucks to play in every game.

Drew O'Connor gets the coring started in San Jose! https://t.co/PvdoMWHI0q

— Daily Faceoff Vancouver (@dfovancouver) October 30, 2026

Beyond the scoring, he was one of Vancouver’s most relied-upon penalty killers and logged heavy even-strength minutes, and NHL EDGE tracking has his top skating speed in the 96th percentile this season.

He's one of the biggest trade chips Vancouver holds heading toward the deadline, since a contender could add a speedy, physical depth forward without taking on any term beyond this season.

Vancouver’s Situation

Pagnotta reported recently that GM Ryan Johnson is open to trading veterans including O’Connor, Jake DeBrusk, Filip Chytil, and Luke Schenn while trying to add younger, NHL-proven talent.

The Fourth Period’s list also includes DeBrusk at No. 7 and Elias Pettersson at No. 20, which puts three Canucks on a 25-player list of those believed to be available.

#Canucks Three Canucks are featured in Chris Johnston's latest trade board. 9) Jake DeBrusk 19) Elias Pettersson 21) Drew O'Connor https://t.co/doZrERQKts

— Canucks News Summaries (@VCanucksNews) November 3, 2026

Vancouver is rebuilding and has been at the bottom of the standings, which has pushed the sell-off conversation around the roster.

O’Connor’s situation is like others on its list, with a move possibly waiting until closer to the deadline.

Over his seven-year career, he has amassed 53 goals and 108 total points across 339 games played.