With a commitment to a roster rebuild, the Canucks could act quickly or await the best-possible trade packages before the March 6 deadline<\/p>\n
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Published Feb 22, 2026 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated 3\u00a0hours ago \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 7 minute read<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n You can save this article by registering for free here<\/a>. Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n From international intrigue to roster reality.<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. 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Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events.Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account.The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Account<\/p>\n or<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n The Vancouver Canucks<\/a> were off Sunday to witness Canada\u2019s riveting gold-medal overtime setback to the U.S. that concluded competition in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. And now their attention shifts to the NHL roster freeze, which ends Sunday night.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n With a franchise commitment to a rebuild, as opposed to some sort of a re-tool, the hockey operations department could act quickly, or await best-possible trade packages before the March 6 deadline.<\/p>\n Either way, the obvious intrigue will trump what the NHL\u2019s last-place team hopes to accomplish in 25 remaining regular season games. It won\u2019t be pretty. More losses will pile up as Canuck veterans are moved, but all the fans really want is future hope, and that requires patience on every conceivable level.<\/p>\n Accumulating drafts picks and acquiring roster players or prospects 24 years of age or younger is the primary focus of this rebuild. You can sell that. As for the on-ice product, it will be harder when the club\u2019s condensed schedule resumes Wednesday against the Winnipeg Jets at Rogers Arena<\/a>.<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n The Canucks have the worst home-ice mark at 6-17-4 and there\u2019s an eight-game homestand in March. So, if you\u2019re looking for wins, maybe concentrate more on what the rebuild could eventually provide with a consistent level of competitiveness and success.<\/p>\n In the interim, there\u2019s monitoring the progress of blueliners Zeev Buium, 21, Tom Willander, 21, Elias Pettersson<\/a>, 22, and Victor Mancini, 23, plus intriguing left winger Liam Ohgren, 22, and centre Marco Rossi, 24.<\/p>\n However, the great trade wait is at hand to see how general manager Patrik Allvin shapes his roster in the next dozen days before the deadline. Here\u2019s a look at what he might or might not do:<\/p>\n Unrestricted free agents are often easiest to move depending on remaining salary, present or future worth, and where they\u2019re currently trending. The Canucks have a trio that should command draft picks.<\/p>\n Evander Kane: At 34, the feisty winger has more pugnaciousness than productivity, but scored in consecutive games last month and has a shown more push, playmaking and net presence. On Feb. 2 in Utah, he had five shots, six attempts, four hits and rang a shot off the crossbar on power play.<\/p>\n Canucks Report<\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n His 12 points (6-6) in a 21-game playoff run with the Oilers last season, and connection with Dallas head coach Glen Gulutzan, a former Edmonton assistant, could turn into a rental to finally get the Stars over the Western Conference final playoff hurdle after three-straight failures.<\/p>\n If the Canucks retain significant salary on his expiring $US5.125 million cap hit, they would probably land a third-round pick \u2014 or second, if bidding escalates. Colorado and others could also come knocking.<\/p>\n Teddy Blueger<\/a>: Sidelined with a knee injury Oct. 19, which morphed into a bigger concern and a 43-game absence, the veteran 31-year-old centre quickly shook off rust. He struck for four goals in a six-game span to increase his trade value. On Feb. 2, he had a goal, two shots, four hits, and won 50 per cent of his draws.<\/p>\n Blueger also suited up for Latvia in the 2026 Winter Olympics and won a Stanley Cup with Vegas Golden Knights in 2023. He\u2019s defensively sound, competent in faceoffs with recent 61, 56, and 55 per cent efficiencies, is a first-pairing penalty killer, but has just six points (2-4) in 37 playoff games.<\/p>\n Advertisement 5<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Blueger was key in the Canucks owning the third-best penalty kill last season. What\u2019s that worth? With an expiring cap hit of $1.8 million, Blueger is an easy fit as a rental and versatility may command a third-rounder.<\/p>\n David Kampf: Trade stock has moved up because the 31-year-old pivot was noticeable for Czechia at the Winter Olympics. Had a pair of assists in three games and was the second-line centre during the preliminary round behind Radek Faksa. Kampf also won 55.1 per cent of his draws.<\/p>\n However, he has just six points (2-4) in 34 games with the Canucks, but his 52.8 per cent faceoff efficiency might be attractive as a depth rental with just $1.1 million left on his cap hit. Return is fourth or fifth-round pick.<\/p>\n Elias Pettersson<\/a>: Despite a pledge by centre Elias Pettersson, 27, that he wants to remain in Vancouver, his enormous $11.6 million cap hit for six more seasons, a no-moment clause and no goals in his last 11 games, there remains trade interest.<\/p>\n Advertisement 6<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n I was told to check out the Detroit Red Wings, who are seeking a second-line pivot to complement captain Dylan Larkin. It would potentially give the rejuvenated club more even-strength push to challenge for the Atlantic Division title with a 33-19-6 record and not be a quick playoff out.<\/p>\n Remaining competitive and stable down the middle for several years is the goal. Teams believe Pettersson\u2019s responsible two-way play and potential to bounce back to 30-goal potential are worth the risk.<\/p>\n The Red Wings\u2019 general manager has always been pragmatic in assembling his roster and not swinging for the fences, but perhaps, it\u2019s time for that big cut.<\/p>\n A play for Pettersson would require a considerable return for the Canucks, and because the Wings are in a position where they can take on the contract, it\u2019s more than just kicking the tires.<\/p>\n From a Canucks\u2019 perspective, they would need centres and high draft picks in return. Filip Chytil\u2019s injury history, expected trade departures of Blueger and Kampf, leave Rossi, Max Sasson and Aatu Raty down the middle and Braeden Cootes as hope for the future.<\/p>\n Advertisement 7<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Would Yzerman part with centres Marco Kasper, 21, and prospect Nate Danielson, 21, plus a 2026 first-round pick and 2027 conditional first? Or, would he dangle an older pivot? After all, that\u2019s a lot of futures, but the Wings are now operating in the present. It\u2019s a new game in Hockeytown.<\/p>\n Of course, this could all be moot. Pettersson holds the trade hammer. But he might be enamoured by the Red Wings\u2019 encouraging direction and six Swedes on the current roster.<\/p>\n Conor Garland<\/a>: We know the story. Culture carrier, plays hard, total team guy. But at age 29, he\u2019s on the cusp of a six-year, $36 million extension, and doesn\u2019t have trade protection before it kicks in. Teams like the player but they don\u2019t like the term. Will something give? Ottawa Senators coach Travis Green is a big fan.<\/p>\n Jake DeBrusk: Gut feel is he might be willing to move. At 29, and four more years at $5.5 million cap hit, the streaky scorer admitted this year has been \u201cthe hardest year of my career\u201d. Had a 10-game goal drought and was a healthy scratch, and 11 of his 13 goals have come on the power play. And the Canucks need goals.<\/p>\n Advertisement 8<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Here\u2019s what awaits the Canucks this week on the ice:<\/p>\n Canucks vs. Jets<\/p>\n When and where: Wednesday, 7 p.m., Rogers Arena<\/a> What to watch: Two teams going nowhere isn\u2019t appointment viewing. The Jets aren\u2019t mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, but are a dozen points shy of the final wild-card playoff spot with five teams to pass. And the Canucks may make a trade in the next few days. So, how about watching Jonathan Toews, 37, possibly make his final appearance in Vancouver with an uncertain future as a pending UFA?<\/p>\n Who to watch: Winger Liam Ohgren<\/p>\n Young, fast, strong, fearless and potential-packed winger has moved up the lineup on merit. Two goals in his first four games after being acquired from Minnesota teased of future impact for 22-year-old. \u201cYou can see he\u2019s a horse,\u201d said Canucks head coach Adam Foote. \u201cHe has the speed and the power is going to come.\u201d Advertisement 9<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Canucks at Kraken<\/p>\n When and where: Saturday, 7 p.m., Climate Pledge Arena What to watch: The Kraken. They lost four of five games and then won six of eight before the Olympic break \u2014 including back-to-back, five-goal outings. Seattle sits third in the Pacific Divison and is 14-9-5 on home ice and lost 3-2 in overtime at home on Dec. 29 and won 4-3 in overtime in Vancouver on Jan. 2.<\/p>\n Who to watch: Centre Shane Wright<\/p>\n The fourth-overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft is in trade rumours. Reports that the pivot may be seeking a change of scenery surfaced, but a pair of two-goal games before the Olympic break either increased his trade value or willingness to stay. He has 22 points (11-11) in 56 games and 13:54 of average ice tie. Article content<\/p>\n Share this article in your social network<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Breadcrumb Trail Links SportsHockeyNHLVancouver Canucks With a commitment to a roster rebuild, the Canucks could act quickly or…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":493272,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[194298],"tags":[49,48,55],"class_list":["post-493271","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-vancouver","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-vancouver"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/493271","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=493271"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/493271\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/493272"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=493271"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=493271"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=493271"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"alt](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/png-0131n-patrickallvin-215.jpg\")
Vancouver Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin is at a pivotal place with the NHL club as the roster freeze ends and March 6 trade deadline nears. Photo by Jason Payne \/PNGArticle content<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/20.6.2\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-vp.svg\"){kind=logo}
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Zach Werenski of the Blue Jackets tries to keep winger Evander Kane in check during Nov. 8 meeting at Rogers Arena. Photo by Derek Cain \/Getty ImagesOBVIOUSLY: Trade away the UFAs<\/p>\n![\"Canucks](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/20.6.2\/websites\/images\/newsletters\/icon-vs-canucksReport.svg\"\/){kind=icon}
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Elias Pettersson moves puck against Utah defenceman Mikhail Sergachev during Feb. 2 game in Salt Lake City. Photo by Melissa Majchrzak \/APPOSSIBLY: Pettersson buzz, Garland dilemma<\/p>\n
TV: Sportsnet. Radio: Sportsnet 650<\/p>\n
Prediction: The Canucks could catch a break if Team USA Olympic hero Connor Hellebuyck gets a breather from backstopping his country run to gold medal. If so, Canucks take advantage, find a way to win 3-2.<\/p>\n
TV: CBC, Sportsnet. Radio: Sportsnet 650<\/p>\n
Prediction: The Kraken are rolling and the Canucks are looking for incentive but lack it and lose 4-2.
bkuzma@postmedia.com<\/a><\/p>\n