Canucks set to trade or waive former first-round pick today, per NHL insider
NHL insider David Pagnotta said the Canucks will be waiving Lukas Reichel today, unless they manage to trade him before the 2 PM ET waivers deadline.
Yesterday, the Vancouver Canucks traded captain Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for centre Marco Rossi, winger Liam Ohgren, defenceman Zeev Buium, and a 2026 first-round pick.
Hughes, 26, spent his entire eight-year career with Vancouver after being selected seventh overall in the 2018 NHL Draft and was named team captain in September 2023.
The Orlando, Florida, native has 61 goals and 432 points in 459 games and won the Norris Trophy as the NHL's best defenceman in 2023-24. This season, he has two goals and 23 points in 26 games.
Hughes has one year remaining on his six-year, $47.1 million contract with a $7.85 million cap hit.
What Quinn Hughes told the Canucks about his future plans
According to Darren Dreger, the Canucks were aware Hughes would not sign an extension beyond next season.
The New Jersey Devils, where Hughes' brothers Jack and Luke play, were given a chance to make a deal, along with other Eastern Conference teams. Wild general manager Bill Guerin engaged the Canucks a week ago to complete the trade.
That may not be it for the Canucks, as Vancouver will likely make another roster move today.
The expected roster move the Canucks will make later today
NHL insider David Pagnotta reports the Canucks have been shopping Lukas Reichel and are expected to place him on waivers today if no trade materializes by the 2 PM ET waivers deadline.
Reichel, acquired from Chicago on October 24, 2025, for a 2027 fourth-round pick, has struggled in Vancouver with just one assist in 14 games, compared to two goals and two assists in five games with the Blackhawks.
This trade marks a major shift for Vancouver under GM Patrik Allvin and head coach Adam Foote, as the Canucks prepare for a new chapter without their star defenceman.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 13 | 366 ANSWERS Canucks set to trade or waive former first-round pick today, per NHL insider Are you disappointed that the Canucks are planning to get rid of Lukas Reichel? | ||
| Yes | 65 | 17.8 % |
| No | 301 | 82.2 % |
| List of polls | ||