Reunion? Former Vancouver Canucks defenseman looking for NHL return after offseason surgery

The Vancouver Canucks search for help on the trade and free agent markets will probably take a bit of a step back in the weeks to come, not only with injured players expected to return to the lineup, but also with the news that Patrik Allvin has made veteran players available amid what Jim Rutherford is calling a bit of a retooling period.

With that said, while Vancouver might not end up looking at top names on the market as they have been since the season began, there are some depth players that could intrigue Patrik Allvin & the management group as they'll need to fill some holes on the roster if they end up moving out their pending unrestricted free agents.

A report from NHL insider Elliotte Friedman on Tuesday said that a former Vancouver Canucks defenseman is looking to return to the league and many wonder if a reunion could take place.

In a post on social media, Elliotte Friedman shared that former Vancouver Canucks defenseman Travis Dermott is back at full health after having shoulder surgery in the offseason and has resumed skating in Mississauga, Ontario.

Friedman added that Dermott is actively looking for his next landing spot and is hoping to return to the National Hockey League in the months to come.

Dermott, a native of Newmarket, Ontario, has appeared in 348 games in the National Hockey League, 28 of which came as a member of the Vancouver Canucks during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons where he had three points, two penalty minutes and was a plus-one.



If the Vancouver Canucks happen to move on from pending UFA Derek Forbort and some others on the blue line including Quinn Hughes and Tyler Myers, perhaps there could be room for a reunion with Travis Dermott on a one-year deal around the league minimum, but we'll have to wait until early 2026 before that can be considered.