4 second-line centres the Vancouver Canucks could target in a trade
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The Vancouver Canucks have a clear need for another top-six centre on their roster.
Management was clear that adding another pivot was at the top of their list of priorities for this summer when they spoke at year-end exit interviews on Monday. It sounds like a trade is more likely than a big free agent signing.
“It’ll be expensive, but it will also be very expensive not to get one,” said President Jim Rutherford about getting another centre. “So we’re going to be open to doing whatever it takes, and probably on the trade market, to get that player.”
Centres are always expensive on the trade market and the Canucks are clearly ready to pay a huge price to get someone who can slide into their top six. With pieces like Tom Willander, Jonathan Lekkerimäki, Nils Höglander, and a variety of potential draft picks available, the Canucks can put together an intriguing package.
Here are four players they could target in a trade to fill that roster gap.
1. Mathew Barzal, New York Islanders
- 2024-25 stats: 30 GP, 6 G, 14 A, 20 PTS
- Age: 27
- Contract: $9.15 million through 2030-31
The Coquitlam-born Mathew Barzal is a three-time NHL All-Star who only played 30 games this past season due to a lower-body injury. Before this year, he’d managed seven straight seasons with at least 0.75 points-per-game, a streak made more impressive considering the Islanders are usually one of the lower-scoring teams.
Barzal has spent nine seasons on Long Island, and the franchise is going nowhere fast. They recently fired Lou Lamoriello and seem set to enter a transitional phase. This could be the perfect time for Barzal to return to his home province, potentially with some high draft picks and a top prospect going the other way.
Barzal is right-handed and has good size, standing at six feet one. He struggles in the face-off circle and the Islanders often have another player on his line take draws, which could cause some issues for the Canucks, but Barzal’s offensive talent is undeniable and makes up for his shortcomings.
2. Jared McCann, Seattle Kraken
- 2024-25 stats: 82 GP, 22 G, 39 A, 61 PTS
- Age: 28
- Contract: $5 million through 2026-27
Jared McCann played his rookie season for the Canucks back in 2015-16. He was then traded to the Florida Panthers as part of a package to get Erik Gudbranson and has since developed into a strong offensive player, scoring at least 60 points in each of the last three seasons.
McCann scored 40 goals for the Seattle Kraken in the 2022-23 season, but usually ends up between 20 and 30. While the Kraken surely appreciate his scoring, they need elite talent and may covet a package including top prospects or high draft picks instead.
While the Canucks have cap space to spare, McCann is on a very team friendly contract. It’s another bonus reason why he would fit so well in Vancouver.
3. Dylan Larkin, Detroit Red Wings
- 2024-25 stats: 82 GP, 30 G, 40 A, 70 PTS
- Age: 28
- Contract: $8.7 million through 2030-31
Dylan Larkin would be the dream addition to this Canucks roster. The 28-year-old has spent his whole career with the Detroit Red Wings, where they’ve wasted quality season after quality season. He has at least 30 goals and 69 points in each of his past four seasons and is a very strong two-way player. He’s defensively responsible and wins roughly 55% of his face-offs.
If acquired by the Canucks, Larkin would instantly be one of the best second-line centres in the league. He would create a strong one-two punch with Elias Pettersson.
Larkin was clearly frustrated at his year-end press conference and was critical of Red Wings management for not adding at the deadline. It’s possible his patience could be wearing thin, and if he wanted out, the Red Wings could maybe be enticed by Willander and some high-end draft picks.
4. Pavel Zacha, Boston Bruins
- 2024-25 stats: 82 GP, 14 G, 33 A, 47 PTS
- Age: 28
- Contract: $4.75 million through 2026-27
While not as sexy as the other names on this list, Pavel Zacha could be the under-the-radar pickup that makes the most sense. He had just 47 points this past season, but his team struggled as the Boston Bruins finished near the bottom of the standings. In the two years before last, he’s got at least 20 goals and 50 points.
Zacha can play in all situations, including on the power play and the penalty kill. He’s 6-foot-3 and alongside Pettersson and Filip Chytil would give the Canucks a very solid looking centre depth chart.
The Bruins are ageing out of this core and need to get younger. Could Zacha be a player they look to move to accomplish that goal? If so, he could make a lot of sense for the Canucks.