Vancouver Canucks Block Defenseman From Speaking to Other Teams Ahead of Free Agency

The Vancouver Canucks need to make some big moves this summer, and now they've blocked a key blue liner from talking to other teams ahead of free agency.

2024/25 was a tough season for the Vancouver Canucks, and after plenty of change, they've now got some big decisions to make over the off-season to get back into Stanley Cup Playoffs contention, and perhaps more importantly, work on convincing Quinn Hughes to stay with the team.

However, their latest ploy may not be the best one, as Rick Dhaliwal has revealed that the Canucks blocked defenseman Noah Juulsen from talking to other teams ahead of unrestricted free agency, citing their potential desire to keep him depending on other moves.

'The reason it was denied is because the Canucks may or may not need Juulsen. It depends on if they trade a right-shot defenceman for top-six forward help. If the Canucks move a Victor Mancini or a Tom Willander for a second-line center, the Canucks may have to re-sign Juulsen to be that six-seven guy.'

According to Dhaliwal, the team may look to move a young player for help up the middle, and if that involves moving a talented right side defenseman, they may need to bring back Juulsen as depth, and as a result, they don't want him talking to other teams.

'Juulsen supplies depth the Canucks may badly need. He'll have interest on July 1st. But do not rule him out, depending on what happens here. The fact that his contract negotiation request was denied tells you that they still like Juulsen and they might need him.'