NHL Rumors: Vancouver Canucks – Free Agent Targets, NHL Draft, Zucker, And Their Top-Six Need
The Vancouver Canucks are interested in Jason Zucker.
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Potential free agent targets for the Canucks

Rick Dhaliwal: Sources (Monday) from the draft combine saying the Canucks will go after unrestricted free agent defensemen Jake Gardiner or Tyler Myers.

A couple of draft prospects could be brought in

Rick Dhaliwal: The Canucks could look at bringing in two or three potential draft picks next week. A BCHL source said that Alex Newhook of the Victoria Grizzlies could be one of the players they bring in.

Canucks interested in Zucker?

TSN Radio Vancouver: Mike Halford on TSN 1040 from a source: “I’m hearing Vancouver is all over Jason Zucker. There are multiple trade offers on the table”

The Canucks could use a top-six forward

Ben Kuzma of the Vancouver Sun: Apparently the asking price for Minnesota Wild winger Jason Zucker is Brock Boeser. That isn’t going to happen.

The Canucks and RFA Boeser will eventually agree on either a short- or long-term deal.

“I’m looking to add support for our young players so they can keep developing and get to another level,” Benning said Monday. “The thing I’m up against when I talk to other teams is they all want our best young players. I’m trying to rebuild and we’ve got pieces in place.

“They’re going to be our core group, so I’m not interested in moving them out.”

Zucker would be a nice addition though. He has four years left at $5.5 million and a modified no-trade clause.

The Canucks don’t have many ‘big’ assets that they could move in a one-for-one deal.

They aren’t moving Brock Boeser, Elias Pettersson, Bo Horvat or Quinn Hughes.

What is GM Benning willing to package in a trade?

Thatcher Demko is a part of that (untouchable) group and Olli Juolevi has had injury problems, but has the ability to be a very good player for a long time,” added Benning. “If I have to package guys I will, but I think Jake (Virtanen) is an important player for us. You have to be patient with this type of player and the power forward game he plays.

“You watch the playoffs and you see the size, strength and speed and as he continues to mature, he’s going to be a valuable guy. That’s not saying I wouldn’t move him, but it would have to be a good deal to include him.

“If we could add somebody to pay with Pettersson and Boeser or somebody to play with Pearson and Horvat — depending on what it takes — we’ll look at it.”

RFA defenseman Ben Hutton could be a trade candidate. Someone might be interested in Jake Virtanen as well.