4 Reclamation Projects the Canucks Could Trade for this Summer
Could a change of scenery be just what these players need?
The Vancouver Canucks new management group has a big task ahead of them: transform an organization which has sputtered for 15 years into a Stanley Cup contender.
It will be a long process. The Canucks are starting with virtually nothing — as well-documented by The Athletic’s Thomas Drance — but there is hope. They have 10 selections in this year’s draft and seem committed to a proper rebuild.
“To do this as fast as possible, we’ve got to be very careful and go slow,” said new co-president of hockey operations Henrik Sedin at his introductory press conference.
The Canucks will likely be terrible for the next few years but that short term pain should result in long term gain. While most of their future building blocks should be acquired through the draft, that doesn’t mean they should ignore the trade market. With low expectations and cap space to burn, the Canucks are perfectly positioned to give struggling players a second chance and perhaps snag a future contributor for cheap.
Here are four players who fit that bill the Canucks could trade for this summer.
1. Brad Lambert, Winnipeg Jets
Position: Centre/Wing
Age: 22
Contract: ELC until 2027 summer
2025-26 stats: 25 GP, 3 G, 3 A, 6 PTS (NHL) / 34 GP, 6 G, 7 A, 13 PTS (AHL)
The Winnipeg Jets dropped 34 points last season and while they have a top-10 pick this summer, they’ll be looking to maximize their current window of contention built around veterans Mark Scheifele, Connor Hellebuyck, and Josh Morrissey. Because of that, the Canucks might be able to pry out a young player by offering immediate help. Brad Lambert could be that player.
Lambert fell on draft day in 2022 before the Jets selected him with the 30th pick. The 6-foot-1 centre had a great start to his professional career, scoring 21 goals and 55 points in 64 AHL games during the 2023-24 season. He was named to the AHL’s All-Rookie team as a result. Since then, his progression has faltered and his production has dropped.
He finished this past year with just six goals and 13 points in 34 AHL games and six points in 25 NHL games.
While the stats are concerning, there’s no denying Lambert’s talent. He’s a dynamic offensive player — he’ll likely be a winger at the NHL level — who has shown flashes of high-end creativity and skill. He’s not a bottom-six player and playoff teams will not want to give him high-end minutes. The Canucks could offer him an intriguing role as soon as next season.
The Jets granted Lambert’s agent permission to seek a trade back in November per Frank Seravalli. While a deal didn’t happen then, Lambert finds his name on many trade boards heading into this summer and could be dealt in the next few months.
Lambert was always seen as a boom-or-bust prospect and his recent seasons are trending towards the bust outcome. The Canucks can afford to take a long shot bet and add a risky forward prospect to a pool that could always use another talented player.
2. Olen Zellweger, Anaheim Ducks
Position: Defence
Age: 22
Contract: RFA this summer
2025-26 stats: 76 GP, 7 G, 15 A, 22 PTS (NHL)
The Anaheim Ducks are one of the NHL’s most exciting young teams and took a major step forward this year, making the second round of the playoffs. They’re looking to take that next step to become a perennial contender and a few of their promising players are falling out of their future plans. One of those is left-handed blueliner Olen Zellweger.
Zellweger isn’t a traditional reclamation in that he’s performed poorly but he is instead being pushed out of the Ducks’ lineup. With Jackson Lacombe and Pavel Mintyukov impressing on the left-side already — plus John Carlson taking first-unit power play duties — Zellweger isn’t getting the best opportunities.
The Ducks scratched Zellweger for nine of their 12 playoff games this spring, although he did have two points in the three contests he played.
The 22-year-old would be another exciting piece on the backend for the Canucks who are building an impressive cohort of young D-men. However, as an undersized lefty, Zellweger’s profile isn’t the most desirable.
There were just 13 (including Zellweger) left-handed defencemen under six-feet tall who played at least 41 games last season. It’s not an archetype that teams usually value and the Canucks already have Kirill Kudryavtsev in the system, although it remains to be seen what type of player he’ll be.
If they don’t target Zellweger, centre Mason McTavish could be another interesting buy-low candidate from the Ducks.
3. Scott Morrow, New York Rangers
Position: Defence
Age: 23
Contract: RFA this summer
2025-26 stats: 29 GP, 0 G, 6 A, 6 PTS (NHL) / 34 GP, 5 G, 14 A, 19 PTS (AHL)
Scott Morrow was once seen as one of the best defence prospects in the sport and was a key piece in the K’Andre Miller trade last summer. But the former NCAA star is now 23 years old and still struggling to establish himself in the NHL, playing fewer than 30 games at the highest level this season.
The Rangers had a terrible year but seem more set on pulling off a retool than a full rebuild like the Canucks are exploring. Because of that, they might be willing to deal one of their prospects to speed up their timeline, although Morrow’s impressive resume means he won’t come cheap.
Morrow is a great offensive talent and can put up points with his deceptiveness and strong skating. He just hasn’t done so at the NHL level yet.
While the right-handed blueliner has struggled to turn his strong counting stats at lower levels into NHL success, there are reasons for optimism. Morrow had a 50.67% Corsi share this year, and the only other Rangers’ blueliner above 50% was Adam Fox.
Rangers coach Mike Sullivan was honest in his assessment of Morrow throughout the season and outlined both positive and negative aspects of his game. He hasn’t shown enough trust to give Morrow a big role but the Canucks could as they won’t worry about wins and losses next season.
If the Rangers are set on keeping Morrow, the Canucks could pivot to Braden Schneider, a player they’ve shown interest in before.
4. Hendrix Lapierre, Washington Capitals
Position: Centre, Left Wing
Age: 24
Contract: RFA this summer
2025-26 stats: 74 GP, 4 G, 12 A, 16 PTS (NHL)
Hendrix Lapierre is already 24 years old and thus older than ideal for the Canucks but could be an interesting add to the forward group. The 2020 first-round pick has 158 NHL games under his belt but is trending in the wrong direction, scoring fewer points in 74 games this year than he did in 51 games in his rookie year.
Lapierre has been handed chances with the Washington Capitals and hasn’t taken full advantage. He is still trying to carve out a role he thrives in and the Capitals have several forwards who have passed him on the depth chart.
“I think he did get some opportunities higher up with some better players, and I think probably he’d admit that he didn’t do as well as he would have hoped with that,” said Capitals GM Chris Patrick.
“I think for him, he’s shown that he can play in this league and play a solid veteran-type game, limit his mistakes, and now he needs to show that he can produce and be a point-getting guy with his skill set.”
The Canucks are going to have holes in their forward group — especially if they trade veterans like Jake DeBrusk, Brock Boeser, or Elias Pettersson — and they need NHL level talent to fill them. Lapierre is someone who has proven they can stick around at the top level and might even have another gear he can reach.