4 players Vancouver Canucks could trade before their no-move clauses kick in
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If the Vancouver Canucks plan on seriously shaking up their roster this offseason, their options will become somewhat limited by the end of the month.
The beginning of NHL free agency on July 1 signals a new NHL season in terms of contracts.
In the case of four Canucks players, their contracts are changing to include a full no-movement clause.
Heading into next season, the Canucks will have six players on their roster with no-move clauses, as Jake DeBrusk and Tyler Myers already have those built into their contracts. In 2024-25, only four teams had six or more no-movement clauses on their books.
- Boston Bruins: 6
- Toronto Maple Leafs: 6
- Minnesota Wild: 7
- Edmonton Oilers: 9
So, which four players on the Canucks are set to have no-movement clauses kick in? And, could the Canucks trade any of them before July 1?
1. Elias Pettersson
In the blink of an eye, Elias Pettersson has gone from one of the best players in the NHL to one of the most overpaid. At least, that’s the case based on his production last year.
Pettersson is about to enter the second year of his eight-year, $92 million contract that he signed in March of last year. However, July 1 will represent the first year that his no-movement clause kicks in, and it’ll be in place for the duration of his contract, which expires in 2032.
The case for trading him: Pettersson looked broken for much of the 2024-25 season, and really hasn’t looked like himself since January 2024, when he was named the NHL’s third star of the month after scoring 14 goals in 13 games.
Since then, Pettersson has scored just 23 goals in his last 109 games, including playoffs.
You could make the argument that Pettersson could use a change of scenery.
Why he’s likely to stay: Whether the Canucks trade or keep Pettersson, their future likely hinges on his bounce back. Because the Canucks are likely to get pennies on the dollar if they trade him, their best course of action is likely to keep him and hope that he bounces back.
2. Filip Hronek
Hronek is entering the second season of an eight-year deal that he signed in 2024, and his contract includes a no-movement clause that kicks in on July 1.
Unlike Pettersson’s deal, Hronek’s trade protection does change from a no-movement to a 15-team no-trade list in the final four years of his contract.
The case for trading him: Hronek was essentially acquired by the Canucks in return for Bo Horvat. With the Canucks desperate for a centre-ice upgrade, could they once again flip Hronek to boost the top-six?
During Hronek’s two seasons in Vancouver, he’s held down a top-pairing role as a right-shot defencemen. Those are valuable commodities in the NHL, and his $7.25 million cap his isn’t cumbersome. He also didn’t look out of place as the Canucks’ top defencemen for a stretch this season while Quinn Hughes was injured.
Why he’s likely to stay: While Hronek might be one of the Canucks’ most valuable trade chips, dealing him would leave the Canucks with Tom Willander, Tyler Myers and Victor Mancini as the three defencemen available on the right side, barring another trade or signing.
If Willander had clear top-pairing potential, then trading Hronek would make more sense. However, we won’t know that until after Hronek’s no-move protection kicks in.
3. Marcus Pettersson
The Canucks were so enthralled with their acquisition of Marcus Pettersson back in January, that they signed him to a six-year, $33 million extension just six days later. That extension includes a no-move clause for the first three years of the contract, which changes to a 15-team no-trade list in the final three years of the deal.
The case for trading him: When the Canucks acquired the 29-year-old blueliner, rookie defencemen Elias Pettersson had played just two NHL games. “Junior” ended up playing 28 last year, and certainly looks like he has top-four potential in the not-too-distant future.
If that’s the case, do the Canucks really need Marcus Pettersson long-term?
Why he’s likely to stay: The optics of the Canucks trading an unprotected first-round pick for Pettersson, extending him, all just to trade him within the span of five months would border on bizarre. Even if he’s a luxury piece, and even if the Canucks just should have signed him as a free agent on July 1, he’s arguably the least likely among these four players to be moved.
4. Kevin Lankinen
The Canucks signed Kevin Lankinen off the street last September, and he nearly saved their season.
General manager Patrik Allvin then rewarded Lankinen with a five-year, $22.5 million contract. The deal includes a no-movement clause for the first two seasons of the contract before converting to a 15-team no-trade list in the final three years of the deal.
The no-move clause is fascinating because the Canucks have a pretty big decision to make on Thatcher Demko’s future over the next two seasons. Demko is currently set to be an unrestricted free agent next summer.
The case for trading him: The Canucks likely need to trade one of their three goalies before the beginning of next season. AHL sensation Arturs Silovs would require waivers to be sent to the minors in 2025-26, and the likelihood that he would clear dwindles as he continues to dazzle in the AHL playoffs.
Much of the decision on whether to trade Lankinen before the no-move protection kicks in could hinge on negotiations with Demko.
Why he’s likely to stay: Lankinen arguably has the lowest-ceiling among the Canucks three netminders, but he also represents the most stable option they have in the crease. The Canucks would be taking on a ton of risk if they roll into next season with Demko and Silovs in net.