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Canucks could trade middle-six forward and prospects in pursuit of star player, per NHL analyst


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Daniel Lucente
November 23, 2025  (9:57)
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Vancouver Canucks' Conor Garland skates with the puck vs. the Dallas Stars
Photo credit: Edit from Canucks Army

NHL analyst Patrick Johnston believes the Canucks could look to package Conor Garland and some prospects in order to bring in an impactful star player.

The addition of David Kampf hasn't pushed the Vancouver Canucks out of the centre market.
The club is believed to still be on the lookout for a legitimate second-line pivot with Filip Chytil out and Lukas Reichel failing to meet expectations, per Patrick Johnston of The Province.
It's an awkward spot for Vancouver. Chytil looked like a perfect fit early, posting three goals, 15 shots, and a 47.4 per cent faceoff rate in his first six games.

Injuries and underperformers have led the Canucks back into the trade market

But another upper-body injury has paused that momentum, an issue that has plagued him for three straight seasons. Reichel, acquired to help cover the gap, hasn't delivered either, posting one assist and a minus-six in 13 games.
Those struggles have pushed Vancouver back into the market. Kampf and Aatu Raty are currently carrying the load behind Elias Pettersson, but adding a trade target such as Nazem Kadri, Pavel Zacha, or Alexander Wennberg would greatly stabilise the top-six.
Centres are in high demand early this season, which could elevate acquisition costs, but giving consistent support to wingers like Brock Boeser and Evander Kane may justify the price.
As Johnston notes, Vancouver could use both roster pieces and prospects to make something happen.
"Garland could be a candidate to be moved to a club looking for a veteran presence. Vancouver could also begin to tap into their prospect pool to swing a deal, potentially dangling high-upside prospects like Kirill Kudryavtsev, Danila Klimovich, or Anthony Romani. Any of the three, packaged alongside draft capital, should be enough to land Vancouver an impactful veteran who can step right into the top-six."

- Patrick Johnston

Why prospects could come in handy for the Canucks

High-ceiling prospects such as Kirill Kudryavtsev, Danila Klimovich, or Anthony Romani, combined with draft assets, and a middle-six player such as Conor Garland, may suffice to bring in a difference-making veteran centre star player.
If the Canucks don't get a star in return, they need at the very least a steady presence to help solidify the top of their lineup. With a 3-6-1 stretch over their last 10 games and no internal solution emerging, pressure is beginning to mount.
A proactive move might be required to help get the season back on track.
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NOVEMBRE 23   |   228 ANSWERS
Canucks could trade middle-six forward and prospects in pursuit of star player, per NHL analyst

Should the Canucks trade Conor Garland and prospects to bring in an NHL star player?

Yes10646.5 %
No12253.5 %
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