In this edition of the Vancouver Canucks News & Rumors, the organization didn’t trade Brock Boeser, but their asking price for the forward is revealed. Meanwhile, Elias Pettersson is hoping to turn his game around in the late stretches of the season. Also, the Canucks were interested in acquiring Josh Norris.
Canucks Wanted First-Round Pick for Boeser
The trade deadline has passed, and the Canucks made one trade during the week. The club moved defenseman Carson Soucy to the New York Rangers for a 2025 third-round draft pick, originally belonging to the San Jose Sharks.
The Canucks also had Brock Boeser and Pius Suter as trade candidates, as both forwards are pending unrestricted free agents. However, general manager Patrik Allvin said the organization wasn’t offered enough for Boeser.
“If I told you what I was offered for Brock Boeser, I think I would have to run out of here because you would not believe me.”
Boeser has 18 goals in 55 games this season, a noticeable drop from his career-high 40-goal campaign last year. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that the Canucks were seeking a first-round pick in return for the forward.
It is surprising that Vancouver could not receive such an offer, considering some of the other returns around the league. The Pittsburgh Penguins acquired a second-round pick from the Washington Capitals in a swap of 2025 second-round selections, while the Winnipeg Jets surrendered a second-rounder for Brandon Tanev. Given the market, it’s questionable whether the Canucks overvalued Boeser or simply weren’t willing to lower their asking price.
Additionally, the team failed to move Suter, a center approaching the 20-goal mark with a cap hit under $2 million. The organization likely could have secured a draft pick in return for him, but instead opted to keep most of its roster intact in hopes of making the playoffs.
Pettersson Ends Goal Drought
In Vancouver’s game against the Minnesota Wild, Elias Pettersson ended his 16-game goal drought. The Swedish forward has struggled this season, scoring just 12 goals and recording 36 points in 56 games, averaging 0.64 points per game— a stark contrast to the past two seasons when he produced at over a point-per-game pace.
“I’m not perfect. I know this hasn’t been my best season, but it can’t change it, and I’m just trying to get better every day.”
And today was a good day. We got a win, I had a goal… and good practice tomorrow to get ready for Sunday.”
Pettersson has been working toward turning his season around, and Allvin noted that the forward has taken accountability for his struggles.
“It’s a process for him to become a star player in the league. The work that he’s putting in, it’s not a finished product yet.”
Related: Canucks Should Have Traded Brock Boeser
Meanwhile, head coach Rick Tocchet has challenged the Canucks’ highest-paid forward to move his feet and shoot the puck more often. Pettersson has been staying after practice and putting in extra work off the ice.
“I think there’s pockets of his game you’re seeing that you really like. Now he’s got to sustain it,” Tocchet said. “I know it’s a broken record, but another good day tomorrow, and you just continue that way.”
Pettersson rebounding in the late stages of the season is Vancouver’s best hope for both making the playoffs and having any success in the postseason. With J.T. Miller gone, the Canucks don’t have as much top-end talent, making Pettersson’s resurgence more important than ever.
Canucks Were Interested in Josh Norris
The Ottawa Senators traded Josh Norris and Jacob Bernard-Docker to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Dylan Cozens, Denis Gilbert, and a 2026 second-round pick.
TSN’s Darren Dreger reported that the Canucks had strong interest in Norris, which makes sense given his close friendship with franchise defenseman Quinn Hughes and Vancouver’s need for a center. However, the Canucks were also in discussions with Buffalo about a potential deal involving Pettersson for Cozens and Bowen Byram earlier in the season.
Vancouver ultimately failed to get a deal done and will have to address its center depth in the offseason. While Norris would have been a solid addition, his injury history raises concerns—especially considering Filip Chytil’s own concussion history and Pettersson’s recent inconsistency. Stability down the middle remains a major priority for the organization moving forward.
