With the season now two months old, some teams are starting to figure out where they stand in the league’s hierarchy this season. While the Carolina Hurricanes are firmly entrenched in battles at the top of the division and conference, the Vancouver Canucks are already fighting to stay afloat in many respects.

Entering play on Tuesday, the Canucks own the second fewest points (25) and the second worst points percentage (.431), better only than the Nashville Predators. It has led to massive amounts of speculation about what the future holds for many of their top stars. With many big names potentially available, all eyes are turning their attention to what Vancouver will do next.

At the top of the list is defenseman and captain Quinn Hughes. With one year remaining before he becomes a free agent in 2027, rumors have been fierce regarding where Hughes could land if the Canucks opt to trade him. I’ll be up front in saying that I don’t believe Carolina is his future destination, so he won’t be on this list, though he appears destined to be traded to an Eastern Conference team.

The three Canucks I have listed vary in their likelihood to be traded. I think one of them is almost certain to be traded by the trade deadline, while the other two feel more likely to be moved during the offseason. That being said, this Hurricanes’ front office is known to be aggressive, so it wouldn’t be remotely surprising if they tried to take a big swing during the campaign.

Thatcher Demko

This one is for all of the people who want the team to get a better goalie. The Canes’ goalie situation remains a tad frustrating. Frederik Andersen hasn’t looked like himself this season. Pyotr Kochetkov has been good when he’s in the net, but he has been hurt for most of the season. Brandon Bussi has been the Canes’ best goalie, but he’s not who I want to hedge the team’s postseason life on just yet.

Let’s get the obvious negative out of the way first. Thatcher Demko, for as good of a goalie as he is, has struggled to stay healthy over the last four seasons. While he played 51 games in 2023-24, he has failed to play 40 games in the seasons around it. Demko is currently dealing with a lower-body injury, though the team is hopeful he’ll return on Thursday night.

However, Demko’s play when he’s healthy put him amongst the best in the league. A two-time All-Star, Demko was a finalist for the Vezina Trophy in 2024, finishing second. Demko makes $5 million this season, but he signed a three-year extension during the offseason, bumping his cap hit to $8.5 million over the next three seasons. His new contract also comes with a No-Movement Clause.

At just 30 years old, Demko should still have some runway. A move before his new contract would make more sense, especially with the impending clause. His injury history is worrisome, though I think we’ve grown accustomed to not have our full complement of goalies. If the Canes can swing a trade for an upgrade in the net, I wouldn’t be opposed. Plus, a Demko-Kochetkov tandem wouldn’t be bad.

Kiefer Sherwood

Of these three players, Kiefer Sherwood is the one I think is most likely to be traded before March. Assuming he hasn’t inked a new deal with the Canucks before then, Sherwood will be viewed as a hot commodity. It’s a bit of a shock, considering that he didn’t really break out until last season, scoring a career-high 19 goals and 40 points after previously topping out at 10 goals and 27 points.

Sherwood has continued to provide good offense for the Canucks this season. He’s the only player on the team with double-digit goals, leading the group with 12, while sitting tied for third in points (16). Sherwood is used in all situations, too. He’s getting time on Vancouver’s power play, and he has a short-handed goal this season.

Along with his scoring abilities, Sherwood is a physical force. Standing at 6′ and listed at 194 lbs., he broke the NHL’s single-season record for hits a year ago, laying 462 over 78 games, or nearly six per game. He’s right back near the top this season, currently second to Minnesota’s Yakov Trenin with 124.

While he’s playing second-line minutes with the Canucks right now, Sherwood would likely be on the third or fourth line with the Hurricanes. His greatest asset would be his physicality, which is something the Canes have noted to lack at times in previous postseason against teams like Florida or New York. His scoring touch would be an added bonus.

Elias Pettersson

If the front office wants to go big-game hunting, this is the player they would be going after. Coming off the worst season of his career, Elias Pettersson has rebounded well during a healthy start to the season. He’s already produced half of his totals from last season (15-30-45 in 64 games) through 28 games this season, putting him tied for the team lead in points (22) with Hughes.

While it’s good to see his numbers improving, it’s still a far cry from where they were during the two seasons prior. During a pair of All-Star seasons in 2022-23 and 2023-24, Pettersson finished with 102 and 89 points respectively. He’s also a three-time 30-goal scorer, with one of the purest shots in the NHL when he has time and space.

To make a deal work, there are a lot of other variables at play. Pettersson is currently in the second year of an eight-year deal that pays him $11.6 million per season. This makes him a free agent in 2032. He’d be making nearly $2 million more than anyone else on the team (Aho- $9.75 million).
Along with his exuberant cap hit, Pettersson’s contract includes a No-Movement Clause.

Another thing we’d probably need to come to terms with is that the deal would likely require a big name to go the other way. Andrei Svechnikov has been floated around before, and I think he’d be the most likely player included in a potential trade. The team also has to deal with a scarcity in draft picks this season, likely leaning on prospects and future picks to accomplish anything, should it materialize.