After a disappointing season filled with drama and roster turnover, it’s no question that the Vancouver Canucks need to improve their top six this off-season. Since trading star forward JT Miller to the New York Rangers last season, the Canucks have a sizable hole in the center position behind forward Elias Pettersson. The Vancouver Canucks hold the 15th overall pick in the 2025 NHL draft, but are rumored to be open to moving the pick for an impact roster player.
The Canucks continue to burn the phone lines and may be working deep into the night tonight. They’ve had multiple discussions regarding the 15th overall pick.
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) June 27, 2025
Here are five trades the Canucks could make on day one of the NHL draft.
Marco Rossi would be the perfect player for the Canucks
Rumours have been circulating this off-season that the Minnesota Wild are looking to trade 23-year-old Marco Rossi. Despite being drafted 9th overall in 2020 and putting up solid numbers in his first two seasons, Rossi’s name continues to surface in trade rumours.
Rossi put up 60 points in 82 games last season with the Wild, and would provide an instant boost to the Canucks top 6, likely filling in the center spot on the Canucks second line.
It's not very often a 23-year-old center becomes available via trade, let alone one with the regular-season production Rossi has. The Canucks will have to step up their offer to acquire Rossi, as they reportedly offered the 15th overall pick and a roster player for Rossi, which the Wild declined.
Jason Robertson would thrive alongside Elias Pettersson
No doubt, the biggest potential trade target left on the board. Robertson isn’t a centre, but he’s a top-scoring forward and would add immediate impact to any team he is traded to.
For what it’s worth, I don’t think Dallas wants to trade the former 40-goal scorer. The reality is, Dallas, like most teams, is crunched against the cap. At the time of writing, the Stars have less than a million dollars in available cap space, while still needing to re-sign a number of key players. Not to mention, Robertson is a Restricted Free Agent next season and is likely due for a large pay raise.
Robertson would be a nice addition to the Canucks alongside Elias Pettersson, but he wouldn’t come cheap. The Canucks would have to pony up a package along the lines of the 15th overall pick, Jonathan Lekkerimaki and Artur Silovs.
It may seem like quite a package from the Canucks end, especially since Artur Silvos is the reigning AHL Playoffs MVP. With a Demko extension likely to be announced in the coming days, the Canucks have three goalies under contract, making Silvos the odd-man out.
Adding a top 15 winger to the Canucks who is capable of putting up 30+ goals would do wonders for the teams top 6.
From the Dallas perspective, they add a top 20 pick that they could easily flip for impact roster players; they also add a former top 15 pick in Lekkerimaki and a young goalie in Artur Silovs, who can continue to develop behind Jake Oettinger.
Bowen Byram wants to be a Canuck
The Sabres have already made headlines before the draft, sending forward JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoths in exchange for Defencemen Michael Kesserling and Forward Josh Doan.
It appears the Sabres will remain busy heading into the draft. Numerous teams including the Vancouver Canucks have been linked to Sabres D-man Bowen Byram. While the Canucks priority is bolstering their top 6, the team has at least inquired about Vancouver native Bowen Byram in the past.
The Canucks new look defence was solid last season, but the addition of another puck moving defencemen like Byram would help spark more offence for the team.
The acquisition of Byram could also be a contingency plan with the uncertainty surrounding a contract extension with Captain Quinn Hughes. Byram also reportedly wants to become a member of his home town Vancouver Canucks.
Will the Canucks finally acquire Josh Norris?
The Canucks were linked to Josh Norris at last seasons deadline before he was dealt to the Buffalo Sabres.
Many things make Norris an appealing player for the Canucks. Despite suffering from injury issues in the past, Norris, when healthy, is a consistent 20-25 goal scorer. His friendship with Canucks captain Quinn Hughes also makes him an appealing trade target, which could be used as an incentive for Hughes to sign long-term in Vancouver.
Norris is currently in the 4th year of a 7.5 million dollar contract he signed with the Ottawa Senators back in 2022, so the Canucks would likely have to send some salary the other way.
Could the Canucks actually reacquire Bo Horvat?
The New York Islanders have been the busiest team on the trade market coming into the draft. Following the Noah Dobson trade, the Islanders hold three first-round picks, including the first overall pick. It is believed the Islanders are looking to snag both Matthew Schaefer and James Hagens. Where do the Canucks fit into all this you might ask?
The Canucks traded Horvat to the Islanders on January 30th 2023 due to the alleged feud between Miller and Horvat. With Miller now on the Rangers, fans have begun to speculate if the Canucks could reacquire Horvat to fill the second line centre role for the Canucks.
If a deal between the Islanders and Canucks materializes, it’s likely the 15th overall pick would be in play, which would help the Islanders move up in the draft.
It’s unknown if Horvat would even be willing to return to the Canucks, but it would undoubtedly be a trade that would take the hockey world by storm.
Tune into the NHL draft on June 27th starting at 4 PM Pacific to see the next generation of NHL players and follow along with all the action!