The Vancouver Canucks are reportedly in the market for a center, but face an uphill battle due to a shortage of available players and increasing desperation. General Manager Patrik Allvin has been actively searching for center depth since the second half of last season, and the urgency has grown due to recent injuries to key players like Filip Chytil and Teddy Blueger.
Chytil's injury, a likely concussion sustained from a hit by Tom Wilson of the Washington Capitals, has further complicated the Canucks' situation. Chytil has a history of concussions, making his return uncertain and creating a significant void in the lineup.
According to reports, the Canucks are open to various options, including depth centers. However, the current list of healthy centers includes Elias Pettersson, Aatu Raty, Max Sasson, and Nils Aman, with the latter three having limited NHL experience and offensive production. This lack of depth has intensified the need for external reinforcements.
Despite the Canucks' efforts, the center trade market is notably thin. As Frank Seravalli of Frankly Hockey reported, the available options are limited, and Elliotte Friedman noted that the Canucks are aware of the scarcity. This situation has driven up the asking prices for potential trade targets, as other teams recognize the Canucks' urgent need. One executive told Friedman that teams are more likely to throw the Canucks "an anvil" rather than "a life preserver".
The Canucks' pursuit of a second-line center isn't new. They had previously shown interest in Dylan Cozens before he was traded to the Ottawa Senators and also pursued Marco Rossi during the summer, but Rossi re-signed with the Minnesota Wild. Jesperi Kotkaniemi of the Carolina Hurricanes and Pavel Zacha of the Boston Bruins have also been mentioned as potential targets. In the past, names like Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Alex Wennberg have also been speculated as possible targets. Nazem Kadri of the Calgary Flames, is another potential target, but is signed for four more years at $7 million per season.
The organization has roughly $2 million in cap space, which restricts their ability to make immediate, impactful moves. However, this cap space could increase to nearly $19.4 million by March, potentially allowing for a significant acquisition closer to the trade deadline.
In the meantime, the Canucks may need to rely on internal solutions and hope for improved performance from their existing players. Elias Pettersson's offensive struggles and faceoff percentage have added to the team's challenges. "The first job is to find a way to get through the next game," Allvin told Sportsnet, highlighting the immediate focus on navigating the current situation. Allvin added, "There's urgency, but we have to look at what makes sense long-term".
Given the current circumstances, the Canucks' best course of action might be to persevere and await more favorable conditions in the trade market.
