It’s the eve of US Thanksgiving, a point in the NHL season when teams really take a hard look at where they are at, both in the standings and in their own locker rooms.

You will hear trade talk start to pick up significantly – especially for the Vancouver Canucks – over the next few weeks, with every GM trying to improve their team. Dave Pagnotta and I had President and GM of the Columbus Blue Jackets, Don Waddel, on DFO Rundown Insider on Wednesday, and he said that with so much parity in the NHL this season, it has changed the outlook on needs, wants and who the buyers and sellers may be. Translation: a lot of teams think they can win this thing.

On Monday, Elliotte Friedman reported Jim Rutherford has made it clear the Canucks are open to trading any of their “veteran players.” Rutherford sent a memo out to 31 other teams saying this. Calls have started pouring in, and at least a handful have asked about the availability of Quinn Hughes. No offers, no serious discussions, and teams are being told he isn’t available – whether that changes in the next couple of months is going to be up to Quinn Hughes. The Canucks are, and will be, prepared to extend an offer in the summer that would likely make him the highest-paid player in the league. We’re talking silly numbers.

It sounds like Kiefer Sherwood is garnering a lot of interest around NHL circles. Why wouldn’t he? Dude has 12 goals this season, can play anywhere in the lineup and hits everything that moves. Oh yeah, and he makes $1.5 million. Obviously due for one hell of a raise, but he’s a guy that can give a contender exactly what they need in a bottom-six role to put them over the edge. I don’t believe the Canucks want picks back; they’re going to want younger players they can put into the lineup now. If I were to guess, Sherwood won’t be a Canuck for too much longer.

Then there’s Evander Kane, Conor Garland and Tyler Myers – other veteran guys who could help teams.

Unfortunately, the Evander Kane experiment doesn’t seem to be working too well in Vancouver. There hasn’t been a real fit in the lineup, and he only has three goals. Sure, he plays a lot every night, but it’s what you’re doing to be effective in those minutes that is important. On too many nights, Jeff Paterson and I are on RinkWide Vancouver post-game talking about Evander Kane taking a penalty and being ineffective.

Conor Garland’s new contract with his no movement clause kicks in on July 1^st, 2026. It’s a six-year, $36 million contract. For a guy who’s often the hardest worker on the ice every single night, it’s a helluva deal. I agree with Elliotte Friedman when he said he isn’t convinced Garland is the guy they’re trying to move. But it won’t be for a lack of trying from other teams.

Then, there’s Tyler Myers. Full NMC this season, then it turns into modified with a 12-team no-trade next season. Talked to a couple of people with other teams who seem to suggest the interest is there for Tyler Myers, but they’re not sure how much of an interest he has in leaving Vancouver.

Teddy Bleuger being hurt probably (no pun intended) hurts his chances of being traded here in the short term. He needs to play. Meanwhile, Derek Forbort, who has been out for quite some time, is suffering from some sort of groin/ab issue that has taken a lot longer to heal than both parties would have wanted.

When it comes to guys with full NMCs: Elias Pettersson, Brock Boeser, Jake DeBrusk, Filip Hronek and Marcus Pettersson, I can’t see a pathway for any of these players being moved.

Hronek’s agent, Allan Walsh, took to X to let everyone know he has a full NMC, so he’s out. Brock Boeser had a couple of options in the summer before signing in Vancouver, so if he wanted to leave after last season, he would have. Don’t see the Canucks asking him to waive. Jake DeBrusk is in year two of seven, which pays him $5.5 million per season. Is there a team that could come along and really like what he has to offer? Sure. But, if you are looking to get younger and players that can play now, what is Jake DeBrusk going to fetch you if you’re the Canucks. You’ll hear Elias Pettersson’s name come up again because everything is on the table for the Canucks. If a GM were to call Vancouver, they wouldn’t be doing their job if they didn’t ask about every player. But with their extreme lack of depth at the centre ice position and how well he has played in the month of November, Elias Pettersson ain’t going anywhere.

As always, thanks to everyone for reading, watching, liking, interacting and sharing your thoughts on the team. They don’t go unnoticed, and we appreciate the hell out of you.

Until next time.

Peace and love,
Irf.