โ๐ฐ๐ปโ๐บ ๐จ ๐ป๐ถ๐ผ๐ฎ๐ฏ ๐ช๐จ๐ณ๐ณโฆโ: Vancouver Canucks in Cap Crunch as Two Fan-Favorite Forwards Face Uncertain Futures Amid Aggressive Offseason Moves
As the Vancouver Canucks push forward with ambitious offseason plans aimed at bolstering their roster, a harsh financial reality is beginning to set inโthereโs simply not enough room under the NHLโs salary cap to do everything they want. That dilemma has now put two important forwardsโDakota Joshua and Teddy Bluegerโsquarely in the crosshairs as potential cap casualties.
With just under $800,000 in cap space remaining following a flurry of early signings, General Manager Patrik Allvin faces an uphill battle. The Canucks re-upped All-Stars Brock Boeser and Thatcher Demko with multi-year deals, and fan-favorite Conor Garland also received a vote of confidence via an extension. But despite those moves locking in top talent, theyโve left very little financial flexibility to address other pressing needs.
According to the trusted cap-tracking site PuckPedia, the Canucks currently sit at just $795,000 in available space. Boeserโs new contract alone carries a $7.25 million average annual value (AAV), which significantly contributed to tightening the teamโs financial leash. And while Vancouver has done well to fill out the rest of the roster with league-minimum deals since free agency opened on July 1, that strategy can only go so far.
What it means is simple: if the Canucks want to make another major addition this summerโvia free agency or tradeโsomeone (or more likely, someones) has to go.
And the names surfacing as possible trade bait arenโt fringe players. Both Dakota Joshua and Teddy Blueger, key pieces in Vancouverโs bottom-six forward group, are now rumored to be on the chopping block.
NHL insiders Thomas Drance and Rick Dhaliwal noted that Joshua, despite being a valuable physical presence with offensive upside, could be moved to create breathing room under the cap. Heโs also been dealing with a lingering hip injury that dates back to the latter half of last seasonโsomething that could impact his value but may also make the decision to part ways a little easier for Vancouver.
“Joshua has a 12-team no-trade list,” the insiders revealed. โHeโs also dealt with a lingering hip injury, originally sustained in the latter half of this season.โ
Teddy Blueger, a versatile two-way forward known for his penalty-killing and defensive reliability, is in a similar situation. His name has also been floated in trade talks, and it appears the Canucks are actively shopping both players as part of a broader effort to open up salary space.
Though nothing has been finalized yet, the writing appears to be on the wall. Vancouver is looking to make room to chase one or more of the remaining big-name free agents on the boardโand the targets are intriguing. Among them are Jack Roslovic and Victor Olofsson, both of whom could add dynamic scoring punch to a lineup that, at times last season, struggled to generate consistent offense beyond its top line.
Roslovic, with his speed and offensive vision, and Olofsson, a proven sniper with a lethal shot, are exactly the kind of players who could elevate the Canucks’ attack. But landing either would require more than just interestโit would require cap space that the team currently doesn’t have.
According to league sources, Vancouver is โactively workingโ to free up those dollars and hasnโt slowed down at all despite the quieter mid-summer atmosphere across the NHL. โThe front office isnโt โoff to the cottageโ just yet,โ one insider joked, referencing the traditional lull that occurs after the early-July free agency frenzy.
In fact, the Canucks may be one bold move away from dramatically reshaping their forward group.
Still, the situation isnโt without its risks. Losing Joshua or Bluegerโespecially bothโwould have a ripple effect on the teamโs depth and chemistry. Joshua brings grit, forechecking, and underrated offensive upside. Blueger, meanwhile, has been a reliable utility man who contributes in all three zones, especially on the penalty kill.
Both players played important roles throughout the 2024-25 season, and fans have come to appreciate what they bring to the table. But in a league with a hard salary cap, tough choices have to be made. If Vancouver is serious about taking the next step in their rebuild-turned-contender storyline, sacrifices may be necessary.
Thereโs also the looming concern about injury risk and long-term performance.
Joshuaโs hip issue, while not deemed catastrophic, has lingered. That uncertainty, combined with his salary and limited trade protection via a 12-team no-trade list, puts him in a precarious position. Blueger, although healthy, is entering the final year of his deal and could be seen as expendable if younger, cheaper options are waiting in the wings.
Itโs worth noting that Vancouver isnโt alone in this kind of cap-crunch scenario. Several NHL teams are currently facing similar financial tightropes, especially those whoโve recently handed out big extensions. The difference with the Canucks, though, is that theyโve made it clear they arenโt finished building yet. They see an opportunity this summer to upgrade furtherโand they intend to seize it.
Whether that means acquiring a top-six winger like Roslovic or a power-play weapon like Olofsson, remains to be seen. But if Vancouverโs front office can pull off the cap-clearing moves itโs working on, fans might want to brace themselves for more fireworks before the puck even drops on the 2025-26 campaign.
In the end, this could mark the end of the road in Vancouver for either Dakota Joshua or Teddy Bluegerโor both. While itโs never easy to say goodbye to well-liked, hardworking players, this is the business side of hockey in full display.
So, for now, Canucks fans can only wait and watch as management juggles contracts, trade calls, and cap calculators in an effort to position the team for success in a make-or-break season. The clock is tickingโand the next big move might be just around the corner.
