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NHL Analyst Links Oilers Star Forward to Canucks in Offseason Blockbuster Trade

Originally posted on Hockey Latest | By Daniel Lucente | Last updated Jul 12, 2025 12:08 PM ET

NHL analyst Stephan Roget has linked Oilers' Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, as well as Flames' Nazem Kadri, to the Canucks in a blockbuster offseason trade.

Can Vancouver Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin turn the dog days of summer into a dogged pursuit of desperately required centre depth?

Thus far, all has been peaceful. But Allvin has a history of doing late-summer deals, such as Pius Suter two summers ago and Daniel Sprong last summer.

In their own words, the Canucks would rather have a more definitive solution at 2C in training camp than Filip Chytil or Aatu Raty.

The challenge? Most of the best trade chips and free agents are off the board. The ones that are left aren't going anywhere, at least not cheaply or painlessly. One intriguing, but unlikely name, is Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, per NHL analyst Stephan Roget.

The experienced Oilers winger saw his point total plummet from 104 to a paltry 49 during the regular season, then bounced back with 20 points in 22 playoff contests.

Edmonton could use a shakeup, and if a defenseman like Darnell Nurse or Mattias Ekholm is not departing, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins could be used as a trade chip. Could his 'hometown-ish' of Vancouver be the destination if he waived his no-move clause?

Maybe. But with his cap-friendly salary and worth to Edmonton, it's doubtful they would trade him, not to mention within their own division.

Nazem Kadri is the more realistic option for the Canucks

A more realistic, although pricey option, per Stephan Roget, is Nazem Kadri. At 34, Nazem Kadri is still a highly productive player and could be on the move while Calgary retools. He's a competitor, veteran, and clearly enjoys playing in Canada.

But the Canucks would likely need to give up a first-round draft pick for him, and they'd need to be confident he can sustain an elite level of production the next couple of years.

Bottom line: there aren't a whole lot of options, it's an expensive ask, but if the Canucks are interested in a legitimate 2C, perhaps a trade is still in their sights.

This article first appeared on Hockey Latest and was syndicated with permission.

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