Elliotte Friedman Links Two Key Vancouver Canucks Forwards in Trade Rumors

Vancouver might not be done this offseason because they're still stuck right up against the salary cap ceiling.

Both Dakota Joshua and Teddy Blueger have been mentioned in rumors of being traded, so there are probably still some eyes being cast, per NHL insider Elliotte Friedman.

The Canucks re-signed Brock Boeser, Connor Garland, and Thatcher Demko, plus brought in Evander Kane, and signed some of the youth RFAs to bridge deals.

But for the moment, though, Vancouver only has below $1 million of available projected cap space, even though the lineup is incomplete.

A trade that sends away either Teddy Blueger or Dakota Joshua can be a trimming of some unwanted money for something better. Many of the team's young forwards aren't even going to be a virtual lock for a roster spot on opening night.

Joshua, on a three-year contract for $3.25 million AAV with a 12-team no-trade clause, had a rough season with a 14-point campaign. As talented a tough guy as he is, he now resembles a third-liner at best.

Blueger, on a one-year, $1.8 million contract, previously put up 26 points last year and will be the third-line center.

Losing a guy like J.T. Miller and Pius Suter, and having possible injury concerns for Filip Chytil or Elias Pettersson, Vancouver can't be this thin at center without a replacement.

To date, the offseason hasn't provided a lot of optimism, especially after the team traded away one of their promising young netminders in Arturs Silovs, for barely anything in return.