Photo credit: Bob Frid – Imagn Images.
A National Hockey League insider has given an update on the Vancouver Canucks and their trade plans ahead of the roster freeze for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Wednesday afternoon at 12 p.m. PT will mark the start of the National Hockey League’s roster freeze for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina, Italy and teams are scrambling to see if they can get a deal done before then.
“According to several sources, the Vancouver Canucks have let it be known that – in an effort to get younger – they are willing to listen to offers on ‘veteran players.'” Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said in November.
NHL insider gives update on Vancouver Canucks’ trade plans before the Olympic roster freeze
On Monday, Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman was a guest on Donnie & Dhali with Don Taylor & Rick Dhaliwal and he was asked if anything is heating up in terms of a trade involving the Vancouver Canucks.
Friedman shared that things are a bit quiet around the Vancouver Canucks at hte moment and it doesn’t appear that General Manager Patrik Allvin will be able to swing a deal before the Olympic roster freeze goes into effect on Wednesday.
He went on to add that Evander Kane, who has seen his name in the rumor mill over the last couple months, is most likely to be trade following the NHL’s return from the Winter Olympics, with the roster freeze concluding at 8:59 p.m. PT/11:59 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 22nd.
“Elliotte Friedman on possible Canucks trades : Don’t think anything is hot with the Canucks, Evander Kane trade is most likely post Olympic.” Rick Dhaliwal shared on X.
This update from Elliotte Friedman probably doesn’t sit well with Vancouver Canucks fans, which is understandable as a couple of their pending unrestricted free agents – Teddy Blueger and David Kampf – are heading to the Winter Olympics later this week and if they happen to get injured, Patrik Allvin is going to have a very difficult time trying to move them.
Meanwhile for Evander Kane, who’s agent has permission to facilitate a move, it’s not ok too surprising that it’s taking longer than expected to get a deal done, but with a number of Western Conference teams interested, it’s almost a guarantee that he’ll be on the move well before 12 p.m. PT on Friday, March 6th.
Previously on Vancouver Hockey Daily
POLL
1 HOUR AGO|83 ANSWERS
Vancouver Canucks trade approach before the roster freeze raises serious concerns among fans
Are you surprised the Vancouver Canucks likely won’t make a trade before the Olympic roster freeze?