Canucks Might Trade Away Promising Young Winger

Nils Hoglander could be an "under the radar" trade target for another team, per reports.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 9:55pm

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The Vancouver Canucks are in sell mode and could look to trade away 25-year-old winger Nils Hoglander, who has shown promise but has struggled to earn consistent playing time. According to The Athletic, Hoglander's speed, forechecking, and skill make him an intriguing "buy-low" option for another team, despite his $3 million cap hit over the next two seasons.

Why it matters

The Canucks are in the midst of a rebuild and may look to move out younger players who haven't fully realized their potential in Vancouver. Hoglander could be an interesting trade target for teams looking to acquire a talented forward on a relatively affordable contract.

The details

Hoglander, a 2019 second-round pick, has shown flashes of his potential in the NHL, but has been limited to around 15 minutes of ice time per game. The Athletic notes his "defensive warts" have kept him from earning a larger role with the Canucks. With the team entering sell mode, Hoglander could either get more playing time or be traded to a team willing to give him a "longer leash" to showcase his skills.

  • Hoglander was held out for more than a month at the start of the 2026-27 NHL season.

The players

Nils Hoglander

A 25-year-old winger for the Vancouver Canucks who has shown promise but has struggled to earn consistent playing time in his NHL career so far.

The Athletic

A sports media company that reported on the possibility of the Canucks trading away Hoglander.

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What they’re saying

“Höglander's speed, forechecking tenacity and skill all point to a player who should be a consistent top-nine player, especially because his underlying play-driving metrics have always been strong, but his defensive warts have meant that his ice time and role have always been limited; the 15:27 per game he averaged in his rookie season under Green is by far the highest of his NHL career.”

— Harman Dayal and Chris Johnston, The Athletic writers

What’s next

The Canucks will likely continue to evaluate their roster and look for opportunities to move out players as they enter a rebuilding phase.

The takeaway

Nils Hoglander's combination of skill and affordable contract could make him an intriguing trade target for teams looking to acquire a young, talented forward with upside. The Canucks' decision to move Hoglander or keep him will be an interesting storyline to follow as the NHL trade deadline approaches.