Vancouver Canucks are still looking to improve their roster with less than two weeks until the March 7 trade deadline. One of the organization’s top priorities is adding a centre, and they are actively exploring options.
The Canucks made a major move by trading away one of their two top-six centres J.T. Miller to the New York Rangers. In return, the organization added centre Filip Chytil, Victor Mancini and a 2025 conditional first-round draft pick. Although Chytil has shown promise in his six games with the club—scoring a goal and posting three points—his concussion issues raise concerns about his ability to be a long-term second-line centre.
However, the Canucks have a few trade targets who could fill that spot and provide insurance at centre. The club has three potential trade targets over the next two weeks.
Dylan Cozens
The Canucks and the Buffalo Sabres held talks surrounding a deal involving Elias Pettersson and Dylan Cozens. Now with Miller traded, it is unlikely the Canucks move Pettersson. However, Cozens is still a player Buffalo wants to move and the Canucks are among the teams that are interested in him.
Cozens posted a career-high 31 goals and 68 points in 81 games during the 2022-23 season. However, the 24-year-old’s production has declined over the past two seasons. Still, the 2019 seventh-overall pick brings a lot of promise with his 6-foot-3, 205-pound frame and offensive upside. The Canucks could once again have another solid look up the middle with Pettersson, Cozens and Chytil in the lineup.
With Pettersson off the table, acquiring Cozens becomes more challenging. The previous trade discussions included Bowen Byram, suggesting that the asking price for Cozens may now be lower. Therefore, a deal including Brock Boeser going to Buffalo for the centre is possible. Boeser is an unrestricted free agent this offseason and the Canucks might not match his asking price. Boeser is likely seeking a contract around $8 million per year, and the two teams could work out a one-for-one hockey trade.
Jared McCann
Could the Canucks bring back Jared McCann? Sportsnet’s Jacob Stoller has reported that McCann could be available before the trade deadline. The organization drafted the forward with the 24th overall pick in the 2014 NHL Draft and he played one full season with the organization before getting traded to the Florida Panthers before the 2016-17 season.
McCann has now played 10 years in the NHL, playing with the Panthers, Pittsburgh Penguins and the Seattle Kraken. Although it took him time to find his game, McCann has thrived since joining the Kraken. Over the last four seasons, he has scored 111 goals and 225 points in 292 games. He also recorded a career-high 40 goals and has scored 27 or more goals in two other seasons.
Related: Revisiting Canucks’ Trades for Motte, Highmore & Lammikko
McCann carries an average annual value of $5 million until the end of the 2026-27 season. The return would likely include a first-round pick, which the Canucks could use in a trade. If they move Boeser for a first-round pick, they could flip it for McCann.
Sam Bennett
With Matthew Tkachuk potentially sidelined for some time, the Florida Panthers may be looking to add a winger. Boeser might be the solution they need. The Canucks could send their pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) forward to the defending Stanley Cup champs for Florida’s pending UFA centre in Sam Bennett.
Bennett is unlikely to return to the Panthers next season, especially with Anton Lundell signed until 2030 at a $5 million cap hit. Therefore, they could offload the second-line centre for some immediate help instead of losing him for nothing this offseason.
For the Canucks, Bennett is a proven competitor and reliable second-line centre, having played a key role in the Panthers’ Stanley Cup win and Canada’s victory at the 4 Nations Faceoff. With Miller’s departure, the Canucks could benefit from Bennett’s grit.
Canucks Could Improve Centre Depth
If the Canucks add another centre to complement Pettersson and Chytil, they could boast one of the strongest centre groups in the league. Cozens is a player who can re-discover his game with a trade to Vancouver and could become a promising 1b to Pettersson. Meanwhile, bringing back the 28-year-old McCann would give the Canucks a centre with strong finishing ability. Lastly, Bennett would bring a nasty edge which is needed in the club’s lineup, along with offensive ability.
