After enduring a tough season, missing the playoffs after winning the Pacific Division the year before, the Vancouver Canucks were relatively quiet this offseason, mostly retaining their own free agents
Adding insult to injury, they also missed out in their chase for targets in free agency.
Who Have the Vancouver Canucks Targeted, and Why Didn’t They Get Them?
On the “Donnie and Dhali” show, Vancouver insider Rick Dhaliwal detailed how the Canucks have been unsuccessful in their pursuit of stars.
“They went after (Marco) Rossi, didn’t get close. They went after Roslovic and decided to back off. Mason McTavish they would love to get in Vancouver, but he’s too pricey,” Dhaliwal said.
Rick Dhaliwal: Re Canucks offseason: They went after Rossi, didn’t get close, they went after Roslovic…decided to back off; Mason McTavish they would love to get in Vancouver, but he’s too pricey – Donnie and Dhali (9/9)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) September 10, 2025
Marco Rossi made headlines two weeks ago when he signed a three-year contract with the Minnesota Wild. The center previously ranked first on the Wild with seven power-play goals, second in points and assists, and third in goals. Rossi also recorded career highs in points (60), goals (24), and assists (36) during the 2024-25 season. Additionally, he was the Wild’s nominee for the NHL’s Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy following the 2023-24 season.
That is why the Wild recognized his value and gave him the $15 million contract, which carries a $5 million average annual value. The deal did not come cheaply. Minnesota, which drafted him with the No. 9 pick in 2020, clearly feels Rossi is worth it.
Since then, Rossi has recorded 101 career points (22 on the power play) across 45 goals and 56 assists.
This past year also saw Rossi make his playoff debut, in which he recorded three points in six games.
Marco Rossi breaks the ice for the @mnwild! 🧊 pic.twitter.com/pj24Nsqhwr
— NHL (@NHL) January 12, 2025
Meanwhile, when it comes to McTavish, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman said a deal with Vancouver is unlikely mainly because the Anaheim Ducks may not be ready to move him, and even if they were, Friedman questioned whether the Canucks have the assets to pull it off.
Minnesota Not Done After Rossi Move?
Wild general manager Bill Guerin said Rossi is a strong addition to the roster.
“His production kind of fell off on the back end of last season, but he was still a good player,” Guerin said according to ESPN. “When you’re in a playoff series, you’re constantly adjusting and not really worried about who’s playing with who. You’re worried about winning games.”
Rossi’s name surfaced in trade rumors around last season’s deadline and into the offseason, and he was previously a restricted free agent before this latest deal.
After securing Rossi, Guerin is also working to extend his 28-year-old star winger, Kirill Kaprizov. The left winger and his representatives reportedly turned down an eight-year, $128 million contract with Minnesota on Tuesday.
