7 Vancouver Canucks trades that almost happened but didn't

Western Family and the Vancouver Canucks teamed up to create Bar Down Blast, a limited-edition ice cream. Vanilla flavoured blue ripple ice cream and caramel-filled mini chocolatey pucks.

It only takes one phone call to change the trajectory of a franchise. Just ask Tyson Barrie.

The retired NHL defenceman recently confirmed a rumour about him potentially joining the Vancouver Canucks via trade at the 2019 NHL Draft.

That deal didn’t transpire, and the Canucks traded for J.T. Miller instead. Could you imagine if they ended up landing Barrie instead of Miller?

In honour of Barrie’s story, here are seven massive trades that almost happened involving the Canucks.

1. Canucks nix deal with Gretzky

Wayne Gretzky never played for the Canucks, but he almost joined the team on two occasions.

The Canucks were in the mix for Gretzky in 1988, before the Edmonton Oilers eventually traded him to the Los Angeles Kings, along with Mike Krushelnyski and Marty McSorley, in exchange for Jimmy Carson, Martin Gelinas, three first-round picks, and $15 million in cash.

According to Brian Burke, who was the Canucks’ director of hockey operations at the time, the Oilers wanted Greg Adams, Kirk McLean, three first-round picks, and $25 million in cash.

“I went back the next day, and I said to Pat [Quinn] and Arthur [Griffths], I said, ‘We can’t do this. I can’t recover the money, for one thing. But I can’t justify the price,’ and Arthur agreed. He’s like ‘no, that’s too much.’”

Gretzky almost joined the Canucks a second time as a free agent in 1996. Contract talks were progressing in the right direction, but late-night pressure tactics from former team president Stan McCammon and the Canucks killed the deal.

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2. Kadri for Luongo

Roberto Luongo himself said he was “shocked” that he wasn’t traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs back in 2013.

Years after the near-trade between the Leafs and Canucks, Brian Burke spilled the beans on what the trade may have looked like.

Burke, who was the Leafs’ general manager up until Jan. 10, 2013, said that the Canucks were asking for Nazem Kadri, Jake Gardiner, and two first-round picks.

After Burke was fired, his replacement, former Canucks GM Dave Nonis, nearly acquired Luongo for the lesser price of goaltender Ben Scrivens and two second-round picks. However, Nonis felt that the price was too steep.

3. Schneider for former sixth-overall pick

Could this trade have avoided the whole Cory Schneider/Luongo controversy of the early 2010s?

Back in 2013, former Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Doug MacLean shared a story about getting a call from Nonis, who suggested a potential Schneider for Gilbert Brule deal.

At the time, Brule was tearing up the Western Hockey League with the Vancouver Giants, which prompted MacLean to turn down the deal.

Brule ended up suffering multiple injuries and never lived up to his potential as the sixth-overall pick in the 2005 NHL Draft. Schneider was spectacular during his 98 starts for the Canucks, winning 55 games while holding the club record with an all-time save percentage of .927.

4. Richards and the 2008 deadline

The Canucks’ decision not to acquire Brad Richards worked out for the team, although it cost Dave Nonis his job, according to longtime Vancouver sportswriter Ed Willes in his book, Never Boring.

Richards was four years removed from winning the Conn Smythe Trophy at the 2008 trade deadline. With the Canucks falling out of the playoff race, Nonis was talking with the Tampa Bay Lightning about trading for Richards.

The package originally started with Ryan Kesler and Schneider. Then, Alexander Edler and a first-round pick became part of the ask.

Nonis got fired after the Canucks missed the playoffs, which led to Mike Gillis’ hiring.

5. Flames outbid Canucks on Kiprusoff

If the Canucks ended up getting Mikka Kiprusoff, would Luongo have become a Canuck?

Likely not.

In November of 2003, the Calgary Flames traded a second-round pick to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Kiprusoff.

“Vancouver was in on him too, big time,” former Flames coach Darryl Sutter said on Sportsnet 960 back in May 2024.

Perhaps if the Canucks strike that deal, history would be completely altered. The Flames defeated the Canucks in overtime of Game 7 during the first round of the 2004 playoffs.

6. Canucks nearly get Norris

The Canucks were still in search of a centre-ice upgrade at the 2025 trade deadline.

And apparently, they almost acquired one of Quinn Hughes’ best friends.

TSN’s Darren Dreger reported on Sekeres and Price that the Canucks almost traded with the Ottawa Senators for the talented but oft-injured Josh Norris, in exchange for Filip Chytil and a draft pick.

Josh Norris ended up being traded to the Buffalo Sabres, along with Jacob Bernard-Docker, in exchange for Dylan Cozens, Dennis Gilbert, and a second-round pick.

7. Kesler almost dealt to Penguins

The 2014 trade deadline revolved around a potential Kesler trade. Specifically, a trade to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Kesler didn’t get dealt at the deadline, and instead was traded to the Anaheim Ducks at the draft a few months later, in exchange for a first-round pick, Nick Bonino and Luca Sbisa.

Reporting about Kesler’s near deal to the Penguins suggested that the package was multiple draft picks and Brandon Sutter, who was acquired by the Canucks a year later.

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