The Vancouver Canucks will be looking to bounce back after their disappointing 2024-25 season. However, when looking at their roster, it is clear that they have more work to do.
After losing Pius Suter to the St. Louis Blues in free agency, they need another skilled center. With it being this late into the summer, there are not too many potential unrestricted free agent (UFA) targets left. However, the New York Islanders have an interesting trade candidate in Jean-Gabriel Pageau.
Heavy Sports has a trade proposal that has the Islanders moving Pageau to the Canucks.
Canucks Get:
- Jean-Gabriel Pageau
Islanders Get:
- 2026 Second-Round Pick
- Teddy Blueger
- Arshdeep Bains
Jean-Gabriel Pageau Has Created Chatter as Trade Candidate
Pageau was the subject of trade rumors leading up to the 2025 NHL trade deadline. While the Islanders did not trade him, questions about his future on Long Island have carried over to this summer. A notable reason for it is that he is entering the final year of his six-year, $30 million contract.
Due to this, The Fourth Period gave Pageau the No. 10 spot on their 2025 Summer Trade Watch List.
“The previous regime on Long Island explored the trade market on Pageau, and new GM Mathieu Darche may do the same as Pageau is going into the last year on his contract,” The Fourth Period reported. He does, however, own a 16-team no-trade list.”
If the Islanders are open to moving Pageau, the Canucks should certainly consider targeting him. He would give their roster a nice boost before the season begins.
Why Pageau Makes Sense as Trade Target For Canucks
If the Canucks acquired Pageau, he would undoubtedly improve their strength at the center position. He would give the Canucks another option for their second-line center spot if acquired besides Filip Chytil. Yet, even if Pageau was not used as their 2C, he would at least offer them an upgrade for their third-line center spot.
Furthermore, due to his strong two-way play, Pageau would be an obvious fit for both their power play and penalty kill. He would also give the Canucks another veteran on their roster to help mentor their young players, which certainly would not be a bad thing.
In 79 games this past season with the Islanders, Pageau recorded 14 goals, 28 assists, and 42 points. This was the fourth time in his career that he posted at least 40 points.
Why Canucks Could Land Pageau With This Trade Offer
With Pageau being an impactful middle-six center coming off a solid season, his trade value is higher right now. However, the Canucks offering their 2026 second-round pick, Teddy Blueger, and Arshdeep Bains could be enough to get a deal done.
The main pieces of this deal would be the second-round pick and Bains for the Islanders. With this, they would get another solid draft pick and an intriguing prospect in Bains. Bains is still trying to cement himself as an NHL player, but has had success at the AHL level. This includes during this past post-season with the Abbotsford Canucks, as he had 24 points in 24 games.
As for Blueger, the Islanders would be landing a two-way center for their bottom six. Moving Blueger’s $1.8 million would also help the Canucks be able to afford Pageau’s $5 million salary. This is because Vancouver currently has $3.27 million of cap space available, according to PuckPedia.
New Canucks Trade Pitch Lands $30 Million Center