What happened: Pending unrestricted free agents Filip Chytil, Paul Cotter, and Drew O'Connor top the Vancouver Canucks' list of potential trade candidates before 2027, per The Hockey News. Moving at least two of those forwards for a pair of top-64 draft picks plus two additional selections is viewed as the benchmark for a successful deadline, though Ryan Johnson is not expected to execute another deal prior to Nov. 26.

Why it matters: Even with the club struggling to bank standings points and defenseman Filip Hronek regressing early in the 2026-27 campaign, forward Elias Pettersson has backed up the organization's patience in its rebuild by producing at a point-per-game pace and leading the NHL in faceoffs taken. Goaltender Leevi Merilainen and defenseman Elias Pettersson have also stood out early, with Merilainen making a case to start while long-term questions surround Thatcher Demko and Kevin Lankinen and prospect Ty Young develops.

What to watch: Vancouver looks to stabilize its record before the 25-game mark while Merilainen pushes for primary starting duties to snap the skid. Trade discussions involving the club's expiring forwards are projected to pick up between late November and the end of 2026.