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Vancouver Canucks Walk Away from Jack Roslovic, Eye Shocking Trade to Solve Centre Problem

Originally posted on Hockey Latest | By Daniel Lucente | Last updated Aug 19, 2025 12:38 PM ET

NHL insider Thomas Drance has provided a big update on the Canucks-Jack Roslovic front, and the team has now walked away from him and is eyeing a big trade instead.

Summer vacation is all but behind us, and back-to-school season is approaching, which means hockey time is coming. The Vancouver Canucks are a month away from training camp in Penticton and the start of the 2025-26 season.

When we last reported on the Vancouver Canucks' late-summer free agent contemplations, the team was pondering the Joshua Dakota trade fallout.

Yes, former Winnipeg Jet Jack Roslovic was definitely among the possibilities, but the front office never did think of him as the long-term solution for centre-ice depth.

That thinking hasn't really changed, although the club has since finished more due diligence on available options and spoken with head coach Adam Foote to survey internal possibilities.

In the end, Vancouver is counting on a healthy Filip Chytil and Aatu Räty's late-game heroics. The team no longer views Jack Roslovic, or any other free agent deal, as the answer.

The Canucks are Done Signing Free Agents and Would Rather Upgrade via Trade

Instead, the Canucks have cooled significantly on free agency and are looking for a trade to bring in their biggest need: a consistent middle-six centre, per NHL insider Thomas Drance of The Athletic.

'Hearing the Canucks have cooled off on pursuing late summer UFA Jack Roslovic.
Club wants a full-time centre upgrade, and doesn't see that player available in the UFA bargain bin. It's going to take a trade.'

- Thomas Drance

And from sources within the team, the Canucks are poised to move quickly if the right opportunity presents itself, even if the player they bring in is defensive-preferring rather than offence-oriented.

But experience has shown us that patience may be the best policy. The team made it a priority to trade on Canadian Thanksgiving in three successive years, capitalizing on opponents' difficult roster decisions around opening night.

In the meantime, though, the message is clear: Vancouver knows that a centre upgrade is required, but the solution will practically inevitably be by way of trade. The real activity needs to begin warming up as October approaches.

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

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