Vancouver Canucks appeared to make big mistake by not trading for former top-ten pick in the offseason
Photo credit: Brad Penner - Imagn Images.
The Vancouver Canucks appeared to make a pretty big mistake in the offseason by not trading for a former top-ten pick that's now thriving with his new club.
During the offseason, the Vancouver Canucks were searching for a new second line centerman after the club parted with J.T. Miller earlier in the year in a trade with the New York Rangers.
Vancouver Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin searched high and low for help down the middle on both the free agent & trade markets, but wasn't able to bring any center help in until the 2025-26 season was well underway.
Since the puck dropped in October, the Canucks traded for Lukas Reichel from the Chicago Blackhawks, Marco Rossi from the Minnesota Wild and signed David Kampf as a free agent after he had his contract terminated by the Toronto Maple Leafs, however there was another target they had in the offseason that the club is probably regretting not making a harder push for.
Vancouver Canucks appear to make big mistake by not trading for former top-ten pick
Just days before the National Hockey League's Entry Draft, the Vancouver Canucks struck out on one of their center targets as after months of trade rumors, former top-ten pick Trevor Zegras was dealt to the Philadelphia Flyers where he's playing under Rick Tocchet.
The return for Zegras was quite underwhelming, especially if you're a fan of the Anaheim Ducks as they received Ryan Poehling and a pair of draft picks - second rounder in 2025 and a fourth rounder in 2026.
With his injury issues now behind him, Zegras has been able to have plenty of success in his first season with the Philadelphia Flyers as he leads the team in goals and points with 37 (15 G, 22 A) in 36 games.
During a recent appearance on Sekeres and Price, Tyson Cole of Canucks Army believes that Trevor Zegras is a player the Vancouver Canucks needed and one that got away.
"I mean absolutely. I wanted the Canucks to trade for him. I thought he was kind of exactly what they needed. They needed skill and they didn't have a lot of it and he was available. There wasn't a lot available this offseason, especially down the middle. Yeah and he went for a very low price. Second round pick, fourth round pick and Ryan Poehling. Like would you have done that if it was Aatu Raty, another young center, I probably would. Raty is finding it hard to get into the lineup right now and that was a low price to pay and you probably don't make that move to get Evander Kane if you do so." Cole said.
With Vancouver wanting to get younger amid their "hybrid retool" plan, Trevor Zegras would have been the perfect fit for this group and it's unfortunate the Canucks weren't able to put together a similar package to bring him to the Lower Mainland.
Previously on Vancouver Hockey Daily
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 28|1500 ANSWERS Vancouver Canucks appeared to make big mistake by not trading for former top-ten pick in the offseason Do you think the Vancouver Canucks regret not pushing harder to land Trevor Zegras? | ||
| Yes | 987 | 65.8 % |
| No | 513 | 34.2 % |
| List of polls | ||