Realistic Forward Targets I Think The Canucks Should Sign This Summer

With the 2024-25 NHL regular season over, I think it is fair to say there were not many teams more disappointing in the NHL this season than the Vancouver Canucks. A year after winning the Pacific Division title with 109 points and being one win short of the Western Conference Finals, Vancouver had a season full of drama, injuries, and inconsistent play, which led to the team missing the playoffs.

The 2025-26 season, I think, will be one of the more important Canucks seasons in recent memory, as in the summer of 2026, Canucks captain Quinn Hughes will be eligible for a contract extension, and if the team fails to make the postseason once again, there is no guarantee Hughes will want to commit long-term to this franchise, which could lead to some very uncomfortable conversations about his future in Vancouver.

If next season is all about satisfying their captain and getting back to the playoffs, the work starts this summer. With a decent amount of money and cap space to work with this summer, here are realistic signings I think the Canucks should make that could help them return to the playoffs next season. As the Canucks defense core mainly looks in place for next season, these signings will focus on the forward group and how they can improve that area of the roster.

Jamie Benn, Left Wing, Dallas Stars

While it is tough to imagine Jamie Benn playing for another team, it looks more and more likely that Benn and the Stars could be parting ways after 16 years. Based on the team's limited cap space, if the Stars captain does leave Texas, I think a return to his home province could make sense for both Benn and the Canucks. Benn may not be the player he once was, but he is still an impact power forward and a body type the Canucks just don't really have up front. Having a bigger body on a line with Elias Pettersson could help open the ice for the Canucks #1 center as he hopes to have a bounce-back season in 2025-26. Benn has always had a nose for scoring those greasy goals in front of the net, and adding a forward who can play top six while throwing his body around could be a great signing for the Canucks on a short-term deal.

Potential Contract: 2 years, $10 million dollars ($5 million AAV)

Mikael Granlund, Center/Winger, Dallas Stars

I promise this isn't an only Dallas Stars players who should join the Canucks article, but as Dallas has been one of the better teams in the league for years now, it's probably not a bad idea to bring in some of their impact players.

After trading J.T. Miller during the season, Vancouver has a major hole at the center position, and it must be addressed this offseason if the Canucks want any chance of doing anything next season. Granlund has rejuvenated his career over the last two seasons in San Jose and Dallas with back-to-back sixty-point campaigns and has shown he can be a reliable 2C on a good team. Not to mention, he would be a great addition to the Canucks power play, which simply needs to be better next season.

Potential Contract: 3 years, $16.5 million dollars ($5.5 million AAV)

Victor Olofsson, LW/RW, Vegas Golden Knights

While the Canucks top forwards may not have played up to standard or expectation this season, I think the forward group did show that there are some reliable depth pieces the team can work with, and adding Olofsson could be another great depth scoring piece for the Canucks.

Last summer, Olofsson signed a 1-year deal with the Vegas Golden Knights, and this season in Vegas, he did show he can be a solid piece on a playoff team by scoring 15 goals in 56 games. Olofsson is the type of player who can play up or down your lineup; you throw him in the top six, and he can keep up, or you throw him on the third or fourth line, and he can thrive in a depth scoring role. In the 2022-23 season, he scored 28 goals for the Sabres, and his season in Vegas has shown that he can still make an impact after a down year in 2023-24. I think the 29-year-old would be a great addition to this Canucks forward group.

Potential Contract: 1 year, $2.75 million dollars ($2.75 million AAV)