The Vancouver Canucks have traded forward Dakota Joshua to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for a 2028 fourth-round pick.
General Manager Patrik Allvin announced today that the #Canucks have acquired a 4th round pick in the 2028 NHL Entry Draft from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Dakota Joshua.
DETAILS | https://t.co/1RN12Vv1zE pic.twitter.com/Wwb65BRum2
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) July 17, 2025
Joshua signed with the Canucks in the 2022 offseason, inking a two-year, $825,000 average annual value (AAV) contract. He primarily played fourth-line minutes – averaging 11:31 minutes per game – in his first year in Vancouver, registering 11 goals and 12 assists for 23 points in 79 games.
Entering a contract year, Joshua was promoted to the third line, opposite of Conor Garland. The duo became two-thirds of what was known as one of the best third lines in hockey, centred by Teddy Blueger.
The 6-foot-3 winger exploded offensively, scoring a career high in goals (18), assists (14), points (32), plus/minus (+19), shots on goal (84) and time on ice (14:23) in just 63 games. Joshua suffered a hand injury after a fight in mid-February against Chicago Blackhawks forward MacKenzie Entwistle that held him out for 19 games.
During the Canucks’ 2023-2024 postseason run, Joshua continued his breakout campaign, scoring some timely goals. None bigger than his third period goal to give the Canucks their first lead in Game 1 of Round 1 against the Nashville Predators, just 12 seconds after they tied the game.
DAKOTA JOSHUA GIVES THE CANUCKS THE LEAD!! #Canucks | #Preds
📽️: Sportsnet | NHL pic.twitter.com/PxpwBbpoCb
— CanucksArmy (@CanucksArmy) April 22, 2024
Joshua added the empty-net goal in that game to seal the Canucks victory. The power forward finished the postseason with four goals and four assists through two rounds and 13 games. These efforts earned him a four-year, $13 million extension, with a $3.25 million AAV to stay in Vancouver.
However, after undergoing successful testicular cancer surgery in the offseason, Joshua had his 2024-2025 season put on hold. The Deadborn, Michigan native missed the first month of the season before re-joining his team on November 14, against the New York islanders. He would finish the season with just seven goals, seven assists and 14 points in 57 games.
The Maple Leafs originally drafted Joshua in the fifth round (128th overall) of the 2014 NHL draft. Toronto was reportedly interested in Joshua had he hit the free agent market last summer.
