Should the Canucks make a big trade or stand pat?

The Vancouver Canucks have been marred with inconsistency and behind-the-scenes drama for most of the 2024-25 regular season, with much being made about the relationship between forwards Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller. Despite all that and being 3-3-4 in their last 10 games, the team is 18-12-9 with 45 points, currently fourth in the Pacific Division and holding on to the second Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.

Now midway through the season, there’s questions as to whether this club sees themselves as a true Stanley Cup contender, or if they should avoid trading assets and focus on the long-term health of the team.

On Thursday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Frank Seravalli and Tyler Yaremchuk discuss the Canucks’ struggles and if it’s worth it to make trades before the March deadline.

Tyler Yaremchuk: Obviously a lot of the trade chatter around the Canucks is based on Miller and Pettersson, Pettersson and Miller, or one or the other. Is there any chance that you think this front office that, we’ve said it 100 times, is traditionally very, very aggressive, is there a chance Jim Rutherford and Patrik Allvin just say, “You know what? Let’s keep everyone and add, let’s go for it,” or do they stand pat at the deadline?

Frank Seravalli: I tend to lean more towards the latter, because I just don’t think this team, as currently assembled, is a true Stanley Cup contender. I think they’re a playoff team, I think they could do some damage if everyone is healthy and in the right position, but there’s too many question marks for me about this defense corps. Unless it drastically changes, which the Canucks have been trying to do since training camp broke in September, and realized how short they were at the position.

You can watch the full segment and the rest of the episode here…