With Elias Lindholm most likely heading out, Patrik Allvin must get creative this summer. The Canucks needed more from Elias Pettersson during the playoffs. Still, the absence of top-six solid wingers and an injury prevented him from producing at the level everyone expected him. Allvin has made it known that he'd be looking to add speed and skills to his top six. The Canucks had been heavily linked to Jake Guentzel before he was traded from the Penguins to the Hurricanes, and he might just be what the Canucks need.
Allvin and Rutherford already have a strong relationship with Guentzel. Will it be enough to convince him to move up north? In 2023-2024, Guentzel scored 52 points in 50 games; he added 25 in 17 with the Hurricanes and was a heavy contributor to the Canes' success in the playoffs with 9 through 11.
If the Canucks intend on building a strong contender for years to come, adding Guentzel to a core made of Pettersson, Miller, Boeser, Hughes and Demko would be huge. Is it the right move, though? Guentzel will be commanding high-end money; projections have him being awarded a six-year $8M contract; would it be wise spending for the Canucks?
