After a whiplash of a year—surging in the 2023-24 postseason, then stumbling hard in 2024-25—the Vancouver Canucks find themselves in a precarious but urgent position. With core stars like Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes in their primes, management is under pressure to pivot fast and decisively.
Enter General Manager Patrik Allvin, who may be tempted to part with a first-round pick to acquire a legitimate second-line center—one of the team’s most pressing roster holes. Free agency offers flexibility without sacrificing future assets, but the trade market could provide more impactful upgrades. Here are three compelling trade targets if Vancouver is serious about dealing from the top of their draft cupboard.
1. Dawson Mercer (New Jersey Devils): The Two-Way Wild Card
Dawson Mercer might not be the prototypical second-line solution, but he brings versatility, strong defensive instincts, and penalty-killing acumen. Drafted as a center but often used on the wing, Mercer’s hybrid skillset has made him valuable—but also a bit of a mystery—in New Jersey’s evolving forward core.
While Mercer alone may not command a first-rounder, he could be part of a larger package. The Devils’ GM Tom Fitzgerald recently called his group “underachievers” and hinted at sweeping offseason changes. Mercer, with a manageable $4-million cap hit, could be an enticing fit in Vancouver’s middle six—especially in a more structured role.
If the Canucks and Devils were to engage, it could be a blockbuster—potentially involving names like Simon Nemec or picks both ways. Mercer wouldn’t be the crown jewel of such a deal, but he could be the glue.
2. Trevor Zegras (Anaheim Ducks): The High-Risk, High-Reward Swing
Still just 24 years old, Trevor Zegras’ future in Anaheim remains unclear. Though he’s shown dazzling skill and game-breaking potential, his recent injury-shortened season (32 points in 57 games) and rumored friction with Ducks’ leadership has led to persistent trade speculation.
The arrival of a veteran bench boss—likely Joel Quenneville—could signal a shift in Anaheim’s direction. With a glut of young centers emerging, Zegras might be the odd man out.
His $5.75 million cap hit isn’t cheap, but as the salary cap rises, the gamble could pay off. If Zegras finds chemistry in Vancouver’s top six, he could evolve into a cornerstone player. Anaheim might need to retain salary or include sweeteners, but the upside for Vancouver is hard to ignore.
3. Mika Zibanejad (New York Rangers): The Veteran Power Move
This would be a headline-maker. Mika Zibanejad, a longtime face of the Rangers, has seen his production slide—62 points last season, his lowest since 2017-18—and speculation is swirling around a potential shake-up under new coach Mike Sullivan.
At 32, Zibanejad remains a top-tier two-way center when healthy and engaged. While he holds a no-move clause, whispers around the league suggest he might be open to change, particularly if the Rangers look to restructure their leadership group.
For the Canucks, this is a bold but logical play. With Brock Boeser’s departure freeing up cap space, there’s room to absorb Zibanejad’s $8.5 million contract. He brings playoff experience, leadership, and skill—and he could be just the kind of stabilizing force Vancouver needs behind Pettersson.
Final Thoughts: Is It Worth the First?
Whether Allvin pulls the trigger on a trade depends on how aggressive Vancouver wants to be in the short term. A first-rounder is a hefty price, but if the return is a legitimate top-six center who can help maximize this competitive window, the risk could be justified.
The Canucks have a chance to correct course—and if they swing big, it could set the stage for a deep playoff run in 2025-26.
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