March 2nd, 2026
Jaden Teja
It’s finally the week we’ve been waiting for as Canucks fans, trade deadline week. Us Canucks fans have gotten used to being sellers at the trade deadline, outside of 2024. But we are also used to doing the opposite of what we are expected to do, which is actually sell. This has always been infuriating because we’ve seen players who are “great locker room guys” go for a prospect and a second-round pick.
I expect this year to be different, and it has to be. Ever since the Quinn Hughes trade, we’ve been expecting more dominoes to fall to acquire additional assets for the future of this team, the rebuild, ... the “hybrid retool,” or our playoff push next season when we trade for Nico Hischier and sign a 34-year-old Vladimir Tarasenko in free agency. I’m kidding—I swear.
So far, it’s just been Kiefer Sherwood, but like most people, I believe that was just the start of the fire sale that’s expected to happen. I’ve seen multiple people say this is the most important trade deadline in franchise history, and it honestly might be. Given the state of this team, the fact we actually have a legitimate chance at the first overall pick, and the pressure the organization has faced for years from this fan base to rebuild, gathering assets for the next few years is more crucial than ever, especially with pretty much every player on this roster in play.
In this article, I’m going to be listing some of the players I think have a chance to be moved at the deadline and what we can expect to get in return.
Conor Garland: First-round pick, B-tier prospect — Potential teams: Edmonton, Vegas, Dallas, Colorado
As Canucks fans, we know how good Conor Garland is. He’s terrific on both ends of the ice, grinds in the corners, excels on special teams, and people hate playing against him. You want this guy on your team in the playoffs. He’s the Canucks’ best trade chip, and I think teams will be more than happy to give up a first-round pick and a prospect for him.
You may be thinking, “But his 6x6 extension is kicking in on July 1st with a no-move clause.” If anything, I think that increases his value because you have him locked up at what I believe is league value for a player like Garland. On an elite contending team, he’s a perfect third-liner who can drive play. But if needed, he can move up in the lineup and play on the power play. Garland can provide 20 goals in the regular season and be a nightmare for teams in the playoffs.
He’s someone the Canucks need to deal at this year’s deadline if they’re serious about building for the future.
Tyler Myers: Second-round pick — Potential teams: Detroit
This one might have already happened by the time this article comes out. Don’t you remember when we signed the chaos giraffe and how quickly he was turned into the whipping horse by fans while he was on his 6x6 contract? Then, once that contract expired, people actually wanted him back. He took a pay cut, and fans actually started to like him. How beautiful that was. The villain lived long enough to see himself become the hero.
I know Myers is loved by his teammates and has been a great veteran presence, but the 2010 Calder Trophy winner still has some value around the league. He’s great on the third pair and is right-handed, a scarcity in the NHL. Myers hasn’t played the last two games as he is weighing his options: continue playing for the 2025–26 Canucks or move to Detroit. Truly one of the hardest decisions a person can make in the NHL.
Teddy Blueger: Third-round pick — Potential teams: Colorado, Seattle
Blueger was traded for a third-round pick from Pittsburgh to Vegas at the 2023 trade deadline, and I think that’s where his value still lies. He’s been great for Vancouver since coming back from injury and has value as a faceoff guy and on the penalty kill. I could see a team like Colorado circling to Blueger if they strike out on a player like Robert Thomas to add depth, or a team like Seattle to strengthen their penalty kill for their playoff push.
Evander Kane: Third-round pick… please — Potential teams: NYI, Detroit
Remember when the Canucks traded for Kane because he’s big, physical, and supposedly built for playoff hockey? Let’s pretend he actually is, and hope some teams are also foolish enough to believe that. Kane could be seen as a positive asset on the wing for a playoff push. Even if the Canucks have to retain salary on Kane, that will be okay because he only has one year left at $5.1 million.
Getting a third-round pick for him would honestly be the biggest Canuck win of the season if they manage to pull it off.
Jake DeBrusk: Second-round pick, B-tier prospect — Potential teams: Edmonton, Pittsburgh
This is highly unlikely, but DeBrusk’s name has had some chatter around it recently. It’s no secret that he hasn’t had the greatest year so far, following a 28-goal campaign last season. That is largely due to the Canucks having a revolving door at centres throughout the season.
If I had a dollar for every time I saw DeBrusk, or really any of the top-six wingers playing with a new centre throughout the season, I’d be a very rich man. But when DeBrusk is on his game, he’s a player a lot of teams would want on the wing, especially for a guy who steps up in the playoffs. I could see Edmonton and Pittsburgh being viable options. More than likely, though, DeBrusk is staying put.
Elias Pettersson, Marcus Pettersson, and Brock Boeser: It ain’t happening, buddy — Potential teams: Seriously, do you think there are potential teams?
Regardless of how you feel about their play or contracts, the Canucks aren’t moving them. If they do, they’re going to get the type of offers you send to that one friend in your fantasy league who just joined because everyone else was in. You aren’t getting anything good in return.
Best-case scenario, you get a first- and second-round pick and maybe a B-tier prospect for Petey. Are you seriously going to be happy with that return? Especially knowing he might return to his 90-point self in a change of scenery?
Sure, you might get a quick fix knowing that the $11.6 million cap hit is off the books. But as always, the withdrawals are worse. I don’t see a current market for Marcus Pettersson right now, and there shouldn’t be, and don’t you remember what Patrick Allvin said about Brock Boeser at last year’s trade deadline? It’s a very safe bet all three of these guys will still be Canucks post trade deadline.
With all that said, I hope Allvin’s phone is busier than ever. Once the clock hits the deadline Friday, we should have acquired a lot more draft picks.