Vancouver Canucks trade Nils Höglander to Nashville
Nils Höglander’s time with the Vancouver Canucks has come to an end after seven years with the franchise.
New general manager Ryan Johnson has made his first trade, dealing Höglander to the Nashville Predators in exchange for a 2029 third-round draft pick.
“We would like to thank Nils for his time in Vancouver, and we wish him the best with his new team Nashville,” said Johnson. “Picking up another draft pick is important for us as we continue to try and accumulate assets for our rebuild.”
A second-round pick by the Canucks in 2019, Höglander looked like a steal in the years that followed. The Bocktrask, Sweden, native made his NHL debut at age 21, scoring 27 points in 56 games during the 2020-21 season. Then in 2023-24, the 5-foot-9 forward scored a career high in goals (24) and points (36).
It’s been downhill ever since.
Höglander probably needs a change of scenery. (Bob Frid/Imagn Images)
Höglander’s goal production dropped from 24 in 2023-24 to eight in 2024-25, to two last season, albeit in just 38 games.
Johnson appeared to foreshadow a deal like this on Thursday, when speaking to reporters at Rogers Arena.
“I don’t want to just sit with the same group. I think by even small changes, you add a different energy and excitement,” he said. “Do I want to keep rolling it back with the same? Preferably not.”
Höglander is entering the second year of a three-year contract that carries a $3-million cap hit. While that’s widely viewed as poor value given his production, the salary cap is rising, and there aren’t a lot of good options available in free agency this summer.
“We are excited to add Nils Höglander to our mix,” said Predators president of hockey operations and general manager Chris MacFarland. “He is a 25-year-old experienced winger who is known for his relentless, high-energy style of play, bringing a consistent motor to the lineup night after night. We believe the player can come in and have a key role.”
This was the first of two trades made by the Canucks on Monday, as Brendan Gallagher is on his way to Vancouver.