The Canucks appear to have taken a step towards addressing their logjam on left defence, choosing not to tender an $840,000 qualifying offer to 24-year-old Derrick Pouliot.

An extension is still a possibility, with Sportsnet’s Rick Dhaliwal noting that both parties have interest in getting a deal done nevertheless. By the looks of it, Pouliot will likely have to take a pay cut from the $800,000 he earned last year to stay with the Canucks organization.

One can assume that the selection of fellow undersized offensive defenceman Quinn Hughes impacted the decision not to retain Pouliot’s rights. Should Hughes crack the NHL roster for the upcoming season, it’s unfathomable to imagine both Pouliot and Troy Stecher also coexisting on the blueline. Stecher holds an advantage with his right-shot handedness and two-way defensive acumen, so it’s no surprise to see Pouliot on the chopping block instead.

Pouliot was acquired from the Penguins last fall for Andrey Pedan and a 2018 4th round pick.