5 Canucks Trade Ideas as Vancouver Hits Rock Bottom in the NHL Standings

These are tough times in Vancouver. The Canucks currently sit in the basement of the NHL standings, and all signs point to an all-out collapse as their season seemingly slips away by the game, which has led to their captain appearing to be leaving sooner rather than later.

Even though many fans find it hard to accept, the franchise seems prepared to turn its attention to the future and making this team younger.

As the trade market starts to heat up and Vancouver willing to move off some of their veteran players, here are a few realistic trade proposals that could signal the start of a new era in Canucks hockey. 

Kiefer Sherwood to the Montreal Canadiens

The Trade:

Montreal Canadiens Receive: Kiefer Sherwood

Vancouver Canucks Receive: Owen Beck, 2026 2nd Round Pick, 2026 4th Round Pick

Based on all reports, it appears the Canucks’ first order of business will be to trade pending unrestricted free agent Kiefer Sherwood, who is enjoying a career year thus far. While there are plenty of suitors for Sherwood, the Montreal Canadiens are one of the teams most coveting him as they deal with a long list of injuries across their roster. Sherwood could fit into Montreal's middle six right away, while Vancouver, who is looking to get younger, would acquire a 21-year-old center in Owen Beck. Beck eventually develops into a dependable two-way center, and the Canucks gain some draft capital with the addition of two mid-round picks.

Evander Kane to the New York Islanders

The Trade:

New York Islanders Receive: Evander Kane (50% Retained)

Vancouver Canucks Receive: 2026 4th Round Pick

Simply put, the Evander Kane experiment in Vancouver has failed. This move is just a cap dump as the club is heading toward a reset. Adding Kane at 50% retention gives the Islanders, who recently lost Kyle Palmieri, cheap winger depth as they look to make a playoff push this season.

Tyler Myers to the Ottawa Senators

The Trade:

Ottawa Senators Receive: Tyler Myers

Vancouver Canucks Receive: Michael Amadio, 2026 3rd Round Pick

This deal reunites Myers with former Canucks head coach Travis Green, who is now in Ottawa. The Senators made the playoffs for the first time since 2017 last season, and in this wide-open Eastern Conference, you could argue they have a legitimate chance to contend for the conference title this season if they play their cards well. Myers is a veteran who adds much-needed experience and stabilizes their defense core as they look to make a run this spring. The return once again gives Vancouver more draft capital and a dependable depth in Amadio, which is exactly what they're looking for right now.

Jake DeBrusk to the Toronto Maple Leafs

The Trade:

Toronto Maple Leafs Receive: Jake DeBrusk

Vancouver Canucks Receive: Nick Robertson, Matias Maccelli, 2026 4th Round Pick

Although I don't believe Jake DeBrusk will be moved, this trade, I feel, makes sense for both parties.

Vancouver's goal in making this move is to get younger and rebuild their team with players who need fresh starts and could grow with the organization going forward.  Matias Maccelli has struggled the past two seasons, but he has shown flashes in the past with almost a 57-point season in the 2023-24 season and is still only 25 years old, and Nick Robertson has wanted out of Toronto for years and does have some scoring potential. For Toronto, they desperately need to find secondary scoring. In the midst of their sluggish start, DeBrusk provides the Leafs with a proven top-six winger who is under contract at a fair cap hit.

Quinn Hughes to the Philadelphia Flyers

The Trade:

Philadelphia Flyers: Quinn Hughes, Drew O'Connor

Vancouver Canucks Receive: Owen Tippett, Cam York, 2026 First Round, 2027 or 2028 Conditional First Round Pick (If Hughes Signs Extension with Philadelphia)

I know that Canucks fans will find this difficult to accept, but Hughes leaving feels inevitable. Moving their captain and franchise defensemen is the best indicator of a fresh start for the organization if he is unwilling to commit long-term and allows Vancouver to get serious on rebuilding. In this scenario, Hughes is reunited with Rick Tocchet, his favorite coach from Vancouver, who is in his first season behind the bench in the city of brotherly love. For Philadelphia, it's a huge swing that suddenly alters the future of their franchise, and with his relationship with Tocchet and their team's upward trajectory, the Flyers should feel like they would have a decent shot at re-signing the former Norris Trophy winner.

For the Canucks, Cam York is a 24-year-old two-way defenseman who can step into large minutes right away with Hughes gone. Tippett is a young, dynamic forward with the potential to become a top-line player for the team.

The Canucks get a package that speeds up their rebuild and gives them the ability to create a new core of players as well as get an additional first-round pick if Hughes signs an extension with the Flyers before his 2027 free agency.