Elliotte Friedman reveals the real reason the Canucks dismantled their core
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman revealed that personality clashes within the Canucks locker room were the reason to blame for all of the recent trades.
The Vancouver Canucks are two games into their mid-December road trip, posting wins over the New Jersey Devils (2-1) and New York Rangers (3-0). So far, they've faced four former players and could see five more by the trip's end.
The theme that seems to surround the Canucks constantly over the last few seasons
The theme remains the same: Vancouver has been actively trading its core. Quinn Hughes was recently sent to Minnesota, and NHL insider Elliotte Friedman points to personality clashes as the main reason the team's previous core didn't stay intact.
Re Canucks: "The bottom line is, the main reason that core had to be dismantled was personality clashes; that's the #1 reason that group didn't last together longer."
- Elliotte Friedman
- Elliotte Friedman
J.T. Miller, a standout in Vancouver for nearly six years, played against his former team for the second time Tuesday as the Rangers' captain. Vancouver traded Miller to New York, the team that originally drafted him 15th overall in 2011, in January 2025.
Carson Soucy was traded to the Rangers just before the 2025 trade deadline, with the Canucks receiving a third-round pick that became center Kieren Dervin.
Soucy had joined Vancouver in July 2023, recording five goals and 11 assists over 99 games.
Nikita Zadorov, acquired from Calgary during the 2023-24 season, moved to Boston in the 2024 off-season, joining former Flames and Canucks teammate Lindholm.
Why Nikita Zadorov was a fan-favorite in Vancouver
Zadorov quickly became a fan favorite in Vancouver for his intense play and personality.
Rick Tocchet, now the Flyers' head coach, spent nearly three years leading the Canucks, guiding them to a Game 7 in the second round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Tocchet finished with a 108-65-27 record (.608 points percentage) in Vancouver and currently holds a 17-9-6 record with Philadelphia.
Vancouver's roster changes, combined with lingering personality clashes, show a franchise still reshaping its identity as it navigates a challenging stretch of the season.
Previously on HockeyLatest
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 17 | 308 ANSWERS Elliotte Friedman reveals the real reason the Canucks dismantled their core Did the Canucks really have internal personality problems? | ||
| Yes | 279 | 90.6 % |
| No | 29 | 9.4 % |
| List of polls | ||