The Vancouver Canucks may be rebuilding, but they should still be open to adding to their roster.
This is especially the case if the Canucks have an opportunity to add young players who could help them beyond this season. Now, the NHL waiver wire has a very intriguing former first-round pick who Vancouver would be very wise to take a chance on.
According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, the Winnipeg Jets have placed forward Brad Lambert on waivers. He is exactly the kind of youngster whom the Canucks should consider taking a gamble on through a waiver claim.
Lambert, who was selected by the Jets in the first round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, has had trouble breaking out at the NHL level. Yet, with the 6-foot-1 forward being only 22 years old, he is still young enough where he could change that. Perhaps getting a chance to play for a rebuilding team like the Canucks could help him take that next step.
There would be zero risk in the Canucks claiming Lambert off waivers, too, as they would not need to give up any assets to do so. Thus, it would make sense if Vancouver decided to take a chance on him as they continue to struggle this season.
Lambert could break out on the Canucks
Lambert has had a quiet start to the season with the Jets. In 11 games this campaign, he has recorded just one assist. This is after he had three goals and six points in 25 games for the Jets during the 2025-26 season.
Overall, Lambert has had trouble tapping into his potential at the NHL level. However, he has shown some promise in the AHL and could be worth taking a flier on for Vancouver because of it. This was especially the case during the 2023-24 season, as he had 21 goals and 55 points in 64 games with the Manitoba Moose.
If the Canucks claimed Lambert and gave him an opportunity in their top nine and on their power play, he could end up being a sneaky good addition to their roster. Perhaps getting a much-needed change of scenery could help him take that next step and emerge as an impactful NHL forward.
Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see if the Canucks end up claiming Lambert off waivers from the Jets. When noting that he is a skilled and young former first-round pick, there would be no harm in them doing so.
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