A new report from NHL insider Elliotte Friedman has revealed that the Vancouver Canucks lost out on one of their top free agent targets before the market even opens. The Vancouver Canucks are expected to be aggressive adding talent to their roster through free agent and trades this summer. After the departure of J.T. Miller in-season and the <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/vancouver-canucks/nhl-insider-gives-an-update-on-extension-talks-between-brock-boeser-and-the-canucks-as-free-agency-approaches' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>expected departure of Brock Boeser in free agency</a> the Canucks are going to need major reinforcements up front next season. One of the biggest holes on the Canucks roster currently is a reliable second line center. With free agency just a few days away, the Canucks were expected to be a major player for Matt Duchene but have lost that chance after he re-signed with the Dallas Stars. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/dallasstars/status/1935710439934927145'><div style='border:1px solid #CCCCCC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;width:300px;'>Loading from Twitter ...</div></a></blockquote></div> After signing the extension NHL insider Elliotte Friedman has now revealed that the Canucks were devastated by this news as they were one of the teams looking to land Duchene. <h3>Canucks Lose Out On Top Free Agent Target Before The Market Opens</h3> According to Friedman, before he decided to return to Dallas the Canucks were planning to offer Duchene more money on a shorter contract if he made it to July 1st. Vancouver was very interested in Matt Duchene, but he never wanted to leave Dallas, Friedman wrote. There were teams prepared to offer more AAV on a shorter term - the Canucks one of them - but the heart wants what the heart wants, and the Stars made it work. - Elliotte Friedman <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/buckfoston_/status/1936260615724843296'><div style='border:1px solid #CCCCCC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;width:300px;'>Loading from Twitter ...</div></a></blockquote></div> This report confirms what Rick Dhaliwal had been hearing about the situation shortly after Duchene signed the extension. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/donnieanddhali/status/1935775842539372919'><div style='border:1px solid #CCCCCC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;width:300px;'>Loading from Twitter ...</div></a></blockquote></div> Now, the Canucks ,led by Patrik Allvin and Jim Rutherford, will need to quickly pivot to a new option to fill the massive second line center spot.