Report: Carolina Hurricanes interested in Canucks’ Nils Höglander in Ethan Bear trade talks

The Vancouver Canucks and Carolina Hurricanes appear to have a mutual interest in players from each other’s teams, Rick Dhaliwal reported on Thursday’s edition of Donnie & Dhali — The Team on CHEK TV.

While the Canucks’ interest in Hurricanes defenceman Ethan Bear is well-known by this point, Dhaliwal indicated the Hurricanes are intrigued by Canucks forward Nils Höglander.

“[Höglander]’s name is popping up in the Ethan Bear talks,” Dhaliwal said Thursday. “I talked to Ethan Bear’s agent last night, they’re just waiting. They’re waiting. Bear told his agent that he’s in the greatest shape of his life and he’s ready to go, they’re just waiting, Donnie, for Carolina to pull the trade.”

Bear, 25, emerged as a top-four defenceman with the Edmonton Oilers in 2019–20 but found himself on the bubble of the Hurricanes’ lineup after being traded to Carolina in 2021. The 5’11” right-handed defender scored five goals and 14 points while averaging 16:05 in 58 games last season.

Höglander, 21, is in a similar boat. He exploded onto the scene with the Canucks in 2020–21 but has seen his usage decrease in the two seasons since. In five games with Vancouver this season, Höglander has just one assist while averaging 13:19 per night.

“The Canucks, obviously, are in the mix. They’re talking, they have talked to Carolina about Bear,” Dhaliwal said. “I did hear yesterday that the Höglander interest from Carolina, Donnie, didn’t happen in the past week or two.”

Höglander’s ELC expires at the end of this season, so he will need a new contract for next season.