It’s been a story since before the 2025 offseason even began: The Vancouver Canucks would like to add a centre. Despite the team not adding one over the offseason, management hasn’t changed its tune about wanting to improve down the middle, with Jim Rutherford repeating his stance on the matter less than a month ago.

To this point, most have assumed the Canucks’ search for a centre has focused primarily on the need to add a true top six centre. And as we know by now, there just weren’t many centres available this offseason, and the ones that were would have come at costs the Canucks simply didn’t want to pay. But following the most recent injury to Filip Chytil — whose previous concussion history is well-documented — the Canucks may have to cast a wider net for their search.

After all, they’re about to roll out a centre corps of Elias Pettersson, Aatu Räty, Max Sasson, and Nils Aman Tuesday night in Pittsburgh, with Teddy Blueger doubtful to play. That’s a thin-looking group in a position the organization has already identified as needing improvement.

Speaking with Sportsnet’s Iain MacIntyre, Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin admitted that the injury to Chytil, which the 26-year-old centre has already flown back to Vancouver for further evaluation on, has caused the club to “take a different view” in their search for a centre.

“The first job is to find a way to get through the next game. Depth-wise, I think we’re good at the bottom of the lineup. It’s more how you get the skill guy for the top six that is the challenge. I think there’s always been an urgency (to add that player) and that’s been something we looked into all summer. I would say this probably makes me look at other things I might not have looked at before. Just take a different view. My job is to look at the options, short-term and long-term and what makes sense for us.”
-Patrik Allvin via Sportsnet

Now, this quote from Allvin could mean a few different things. Does “a different view” mean the team will now be willing to part with prospects that they weren’t previously eager to budge on? Or does it mean that the Canucks will look to add a player who might be considered more of a third-line centre than a second-line centre, just to improve their overall depth at the position? Only time will tell, and it will be interesting to see what route the Canucks take to navigate this unfortunate situation.

Recent articles from David Quadrelli

Canucks place forward Lukas Reichel on NHL waivers as Hughes trade pieces join the team

Rutherford: Canucks had indication Hughes wouldn’t re-sign prior to trade

Canucks trade captain Quinn Hughes to Minnesota Wild; Marco Rossi and more headed to Vancouver

READ NEXT: 7 immediately available centre trade options for the Chytil-less Canucks

Recent articles from David Quadrelli

Breaking News