The Vancouver Canucks’ offseason is shaping up to be as frustrating as their 2024–25 campaign. According to insider Rick Dhaliwal, the front office has been busy making calls, but with little to show for it. Earlier this week, on the Donnie and Dhali show, it was reported that the Canucks took a run at Marco Rossi, but never got close. They kicked tires on Jack Roslovic, only to back off. And Mason McTavish? They’d love him in Vancouver, but the price tag is sky-high.
“They went after Rossi, didn’t get close, they went after Roslovic…decided to back off; Mason McTavish they would love to get in Vancouver, but he’s too pricey,” said Dhaliwal.
On paper, this looks like a series of failures. After a season that ended in disappointment, fans were hoping for bold moves to reset the roster. Instead, it feels like déjà vu with management chasing players they can’t land, while rivals strengthen around them.
The Rossi miss especially stings in Vancouver. At 23, he’s exactly the kind of young, play-driving center who could grow with the Canucks’ core. Roslovic isn’t as flashy, but his speed and versatility might have added depth to a lineup that often looked flat. It may not be too late for him, seeing that he remains an unrestricted free agent with training camps opening early next week.
And McTavish? He’s already blossoming into the kind of two-way forward who could change the complexion of the team in Vancouver.
I mean, these are players who could have made a real difference, but the Canucks fell short.
So where does this leave the Canucks? Unless management finds a creative way to upgrade, it could mean another year of relying heavily on their stars, notably Borck Boeser, Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes, and hoping for internal growth.
For a fanbase desperate for progress, this isn’t going to cut it anymore and the Canucks better show they can rally despite the misses of the offseason.