On today’s episode of Canucks Conversation, David Quadrelli and Harman Dayal discussed the Vancouver Canucks’ options for addressing their centre depth this offseason if they’re unable to land a top target in free agency.

Harm noted the lack of top-tier centre talent in this offseason’s free agency class, with several potential targets having been traded mid-season and are expected to remain with their new clubs.

“A couple of names like Josh Norris and Dylan Cozens already got shipped out,” said Harm. “Marco Rossi could be available, but I don’t know how appealing he’d be to Canucks management because he’s an undersized guy. If Sam Bennett is available, I imagine they’ll try and make a run for him in free agency, but right now, the trade market looks thin. Even a guy like Brayden Schenn, who we thought might be available – all of a sudden, the Blues are red hot, and Schenn turned it around, so it would be shocking if he was available.

“There’s a scenario where Ryan O’Reilly shakes loose, but even then, he’s getting up there in age. He can play second-line centre minutes, but is he a high-end name at this stage in his career? I don’t love his foot speed or fit, just throwing names out there.”

Quads’ hot take of the day is that because the Canucks failed to get assets for Brock Boeser or Pius Suter at the trade deadline, they may be inclined to re-sign both.

“I predict the Canucks re-sign both Boeser and Suter,” Quads said. “They got no assets for either of those guys, so you’d rather not trade to replace them. All you have to show for your work is the third-round pick you got for Carson Soucy, which will help, but that’s all it is.

“Whether they could have gotten at least a second for Boeser and a third for Suter, those are assets that would help you make a trade and get a guy you need. To lose both those guys and see a pretty thin UFA market where you can go after Sam Bennett — but a lot of teams are going after Sam Bennett — if you lose out on him, then what do you do? You look at the trade market, but they don’t have many assets to use for an offer sheet, so their only option, it would seem, is to try and sign someone. If you miss out, you don’t have assets to flip in a trade, so I see them re-signing both Suter and Boeser.”

Harm also suggested that the Canucks should at least explore the possibility of acquiring Mason McTavish from Anaheim, though he acknowledged it would be a difficult move to pull off.

“McTavish is an RFA, and the Ducks already have plenty of centre options, especially with Leo Carlsson being their franchise guy,” Harm explained. “It’s a long shot that he’s available, but he’s stagnated this year and didn’t take the big step a lot of people in that market were hoping for. I’d be making that call if I’m the Canucks; I doubt the Ducks are interested in moving McTavish, but you have to make that call and see if they’d be willing to listen.”

With limited options in free agency and a tight trade market, the Canucks may need to get creative to address their need for a top-six centre.