Three Top Centers Emerge for the Vancouver Canucks As Trade Seems Inevitable

Following the trade of J.T. Miller to the New York Rangers at the end of January, the Vancouver Canucks have been searching for help down the middle and with the deadline only nine days away, the clock is ticking for Patrik Allvin to make a move.

In an article on The Hockey Writers, Sartaaj Bhullar took a look at three potential options down the middle that Patrik Allvin and the Vancouver Canucks could consider ahead of March 7th.

Those three options are Dylan Cozens of the Buffalo Sabres; former Vancouver Canuck Jared McCann, who's now in Seattle; as well as Sam Bennett of the Florida Panthers.

Jared McCann, who was drafted in the first round, 24th overall by Vancouver in 2014, might be the most realistic of the three names mentioned, after he was reportedly placed on the trade block earlier this month.

The Stratford, Ontario native has two years remaining on his contract following the 2024-25 campaign and comes with a cap hit of $5 million, which is pretty reasonable given his production in the last few years.

While his production this season is down a bit when compared to the 70 and 62-point campaigns he had in the last two years, respectively, McCann has put up 43 points (15 goals, 28 assists), 14 penalty minutes and is a plus-five in 60 games for the Kraken in 2024-25.

As for Dylan Cozens, while he has generated interest on the trade market, including from the Vancouver Canucks, but it would cost quite a bit to pry him away from Buffalo.

In 56 games this season, the native of Whitehorse, Yukon has just 30 points (11 goals, 19 assists), which is likely disappointing from the Sabres point of view after locking him up to a seven-year deal worth $7.1 million per season, which hasn't worked out for either side.

Florida Panthers centerman Sam Bennett would be a target for many teams around the National Hockey League, including Vancouver, but the odds Bill Zito moves him are less than 1%.

Given where Florida is in the standings - second in the Atlantic Division - there's no way they'd trade their second line centerman as they chase back-to-back Stanley Cups, even though he's an unrestricted free agent on July 1st.

It's going to be interesting to keep an eye on Patrik Allvin and the Vancouver Canucks over the next nine days to see what additions he makes to the roster as they continue their push for a wild card spot in the Western Conference.

Source: Sartaaj Bhullar/The Hockey Writers
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