The Canucks are open to dealing their first- round pick this summer
Photo credit: The New York Times
The Vancouver Canucks are heading into a pivotal offseason. A disappointing 2024-25 campaign has left a bitter taste, Rick Tocchet has departed as head coach, and the countdown to Quinn Hughes ' free agency is officially underway.
The Canucks are open to dealing their found round draft pick this summer.
Noah Strang from DH Sports writes that the Canucks need to get their team back on track. They must present a clear path to contention, not only to convince Quinn Hughes to commit long-term but also to restore confidence among a restless fanbase.
"The problem is the Canucks don't have many assets they can use to improve their roster. They only have two blue-chip prospects, Tom Willander and Jonathan Lekkerimäki, and not much surplus talent they can dangle. Beyond that, it's just draft picks, and thus they might need to deal their first-round pick this year, which will likely be 11th overall." -Strang
Canucks GM Jim Rutherford comfirmed the news on the 100% Hockey podcast on Friday.
«This coming year is critical, so we'll keep an open mind as to what it takes to improve our team. We'll consider moving our first pick if it's for a player that's going to make a difference on our team.» -Rutherford
The Canucks didn't make a selection in the first two rounds of last year's draft and also lacked a first-round pick in 2021. As a result, their prospect pool has thinned considerably. Trading away another first-round pick would only deepen the problem.
"However, with Hughes having just two years left and the organization wanting to contend, dealing that pick would most likely make the team better next season. If the Canucks do decide to trade that top draft selection, it would almost certainly be for a centre. It's the biggest organizational need after the club traded J.T. Miller midseason." -Strang
By trading their first round pick, the Canucks could get better down the middle of the ice says Rutherford.
«The number one thing is to add a number one or number two centre, and then after that, things can get sorted out." -Rutherford
We'll have to wait and see what happens this summer.
| POLL | ||
MAI 4 | 773 ANSWERS The Canucks are open to dealing their first- round pick this summer Do you think the Canucks will deal their first round draft pick this summer? | ||
| yes | 625 | 80.9 % |
| no | 148 | 19.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
