The Vancouver Canucks must take note of three observations and exploit them. Firstly, superstar players are not signing long-term contracts. Secondly, several stars are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents (UFAs) on July 1, 2027. Thirdly, teams are starting to spend more on players' salaries, and cap space has become far less plentiful, especially for contending teams.
As a result, the Canucks should make it known that they intend to offer one of these superstar UFAs a one-year, $22.7 million (maximum allowed) contract, with the understanding that they will be traded at the deadline to a Stanley Cup contender and 50 percent of their salary retained. The return would be substantial, the rebuild dramatically shortened, and the process completely disruptive to the league.
The UFAs on July 1, 2027
Sidney Crosby, Nikita Kucherov, Jason Robertson, Cale Makar, Quinn Hughes: Hall-of-Fame-calibre players who have contracts that expire at the end of this season. All five will be coming off long-term, team-friendly contracts except for Robertson, who, instead of salary arbitration, signed a one-year, $12 million deal earlier this offseason.
The Canucks are not permitted to approach any of these players or their agents with this proposal before July 1, 2027, but there are ways to "talk around" such specifics. Because these future UFAs are eligible to sign extensions with their current team right now, it is important to somehow "legally" make them aware of this "theoretical" opportunity.
The benefits to the player
On the surface, a one-year deal with a rebuilding team is of no interest to these talented UFAs. However, there are many factors that make this contract intriguing.
It's hard to dismiss $22.7 million, the highest annual salary in the history of the NHL. Their current contracts have been paltry for years. The frustration from seeing less talented and less productive players sign more lucrative contracts could be leveraged.
They are all highly competitive players who want to win the Stanley Cup. They could try to sign a contract with a contending team. However, they are unlikely to get paid the maximum, and if they do, the team's ability to add more talent will be significantly hampered.
By "agreeing" to trade the player around the deadline and retain 50% of the salary, most contending teams should be able to accommodate the pro-rated deadline salary cap hit of $11.35 million (approximately $2.7 million in real money) and maintain the versatility to do more if needed.
Serious injury aside, a contract for the 2027-28 season won't affect these players' future earnings. At the conclusion of that contract, Crosby will be 41 years old and Kucherov 35 years old. Should they wish to continue their careers, age will be the biggest factor in their next contract. Hughes, Makar, and Robertson will be 30 years of age or younger and still have the same negotiating power as before.
This offer is the best way for these superstars to make up for the money they've "left on the table" and have a legitimate chance to win the ultimate prize without compromising their future income.
Cost-effective for the Canucks
The Canucks are buying the highest-valued assets at a premium price to then sell them at the deadline to the highest bidder. At 50 percent salary retention, with an assumption of 20 games left to be played after the deadline, the cost to the Canucks is approximately $20 million.
In order to estimate the return, the Mikko Rantanen trades offer the best and most recent comparisons. Rantanen was traded from the Colorado Avalanche to the Carolina Hurricanes in January 2025 for emerging star Martin Necas, fourth-line centre Jack Drury, along with second- and fourth-round picks.
When Rantanen was flipped a few weeks later to the Dallas Stars (with an extension in place), the Hurricanes received two first-round picks, two third-round picks, and young middle-six winger Logan Stankoven.
Therefore, the minimum return expected for any of these preeminent soon-to-be UFAs is three first-round picks (or equivalent).
The average cost for a first-round pick using this strategy is $20 million divided by three, or $6.67 million (5.8% of the salary cap). This is better value than what the Montreal Canadiens paid for Sean Monahan ($5 million / $82.5 million salary cap, or 6.1%) and what the Hurricanes paid for Marleau ($6.25 million / $81.5 million salary cap, or 7.7%).
In addition to their trade value, a veteran of this pedigree would be incredibly influential to the many young players and prospects projected to be on the roster. Examples of such exemplary leadership and proven excellence would be hard to find elsewhere.
Avoiding a "Mark Messier" scenario
The Canucks franchise is in a much different position now compared to the Summer of 1997 when Mark Messier was signed. After a disappointing season for a veteran-laden team that included Trevor Linden, Pavel Bure, and Alexander Mogilny, Messier's presence changed the entire dynamic and culture. After a horrible start to the regular season, Linden was traded, Tom Renney and Pat Quinn were dismissed, and Mike Keenan was hired. His three seasons as a Canuck are considered some of the worst in franchise history.
Not exactly along these lines, but given the circumstances of how Hughes departed, it is not realistic from either his or the Canucks perspective to reunite. The others, however, are ultra-competitive, relentless, and inspiring. They would be entering a locker room of prospects who want to be just like them; vastly dissimilar from the Messier era.
First come, first serve
The Canucks will not have unlimited cap space, nor will ownership want to offer more than one such contract. So without tampering, the Canucks messaging must be clear. The first of these superstar UFAs to agree to a one-year, $22.7 million deal is the winner.
But make no mistake. With this deal, everyone is a winner.
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