Vancouver Canucks sell low on $13 million forward in trade with Maple Leafs

The Vancouver Canucks sent Dakota Joshua to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday afternoon, NHL.com reported.

The Canucks got a fourth-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft. The underwhelming return signals the Canucks sold low on Joshua after he failed to live up to his four-year, $13 million contract extension.

Vancouver was hoping Dakota Joshua could replicate his 18-goal, 32-point campaign from 2023-24. However, the 29-year-old’s production plummeted to just seven goals in 57 games last season.

That situation prompted the Canucks to move on from Joshua. The Maple Leafs will now take on Joshua’s $3.25 million cap hit in full.

The fourth-round pick is virtually a token offer from Toronto. While the Canucks could certainly find a valuable player with that pick, it could be years before the Canucks ever see a decent return from that pick.

Of course, there’s always the chance that pick becomes part of a broader package that lands Vancouver another player. So, selling off Joshua for whatever the team can is nothing more than a cap dump. The move could clear the way for a larger contract, if the Canucks are inclined to do so.

It remains to be seen if this trade is a precursor to a larger move. The Canucks could certainly use another top-six forward, especially a center, after the team lost Pius Suter to free agency this summer.

Canucks clear much-needed cap space with Joshua trade

The Canucks cleared much-needed cap space by trading Dakota Joshua to the Maple Leafs. The Canucks now have a little over $4 million and could be looking to land a center. As it stands, the Canucks center depth features Elias Pettersson on the top line, with Filip Chytil on the second unit. Aatu Raty and Teddy Blueger take up the third- and fourth-line center spots, respectively.

While not bad, the Canucks could be looking for an upgrade, especially on the third line. Raty has been inconsistent for the most part. He made the team out of camp last season, but then found himself back in the AHL.

The move could also clear a roster spot for Jonathan Lekkerimaki to finally stick with the club. There’s also Chase Stillman, who came over from Pittsburgh in the Arturs Silovs trade. Both players could be in the mix for full-time roles next season.

If so, the extra cap space could allow the Canucks to add a couple of veteran players to bolster the club’s depth. There are still some viable free agents on the block, like Jack Roslovic. So, the additional cap space gained by trading Joshua could go a long way toward adding much-needed depth this upcoming season.