JJ Peterka, Bowen Byram and 2C puzzle: Offseason plan in Vancouver Ganaks – Hockey Writer – Vancouver Canucks
With the off-season momentum in the NHL, the Vancouver Canucks find themselves at another familiar crossroads – ambitious, tight hat space, facing some key rosters that need to be inserted. This week, Halford and Brought welcomed NHL insider Frank Seravalli to the show, discussing the Canucks’ early stages in the trade and free agent markets.
The market is heating up, but adding humans is not in the network yet (not yet)
Seravalli acknowledged that while the goalkeeper market began to ignore activities, Canucks has not been involved in the conversation, at least not yet. Teams like the Philadelphia Flyers, the New Jersey Devils and the Utah Mammoth have been reporting to laugh at Crease for help. But in the case of Vancouver, the real work is happening elsewhere.
Related: Abbotsford’s Lekkerimaki shows why Canucks is the top prospect
“I do think there are a few teams poking around the goalkeeper market all the time,” Seravalli said. “But in terms of the busyness of the Canucks, … I think they are very active in a few interesting aspects.”
Peterka File: New Scoring Wind?
One name that appears in the conversation is JJ Peterka, a skilled winger at Buffalo Saber. According to Seravalli, Canucks’ general manager Patrik Allvin showed interest and “followed” Peterka’s situation. There was a call between the Karnak and the front office in the Saber, and Peterka’s name reportedly played a role in “various scores.”
Related: How Quinn Hughes Avoids the Mistake of Dividing Adding People
Peterka ended the 2024-25 season after suffering a lower injury, scoring eight goals and nine assists in his last 16 games. He completed the season with 27 goals and a career-high 68 points in 77 games, adding 173 shots, 30 hits, 34 minutes of free throws and a minus one. At only 23 years old, his offensive ceiling may rise. He could be a steady scorer with 60 to 70 points.
Introducing Peterka would be an interesting idea. He will speed up and offensive punches for the Canucks mid-six, and he is young enough to grow with the core. Whether the buffalo is serious about entertainment or just listening remains to be seen, but Vancouver is blending.
Bowen Byram: Rebuilding the blue line?
Another name for Canucks is Bowen Byram. The restricted free agent defender of the Saber has previously been linked to Vancouver, and Seravalli confirmed that the team continues to explore what a potential deal might look like.
The 24-year-old left-ball defender, from Cranbrook, British Columbia, enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2024-25, earning a career-best number with 38 points in 82 games and having seven goals and 31 assists. Byram played the full season for the first time and also posted 46 minutes of free throw time and a strong 11 ratings. His ability to skate and hockey is strong, and his confidence in these three areas has become increasingly confident. If he can stay healthy, Byram hopes to be a reliable top four with room for upside, and he’s just starting to reach his potential.
Related: Canucks can learn about leadership and locker room chemistry from Blake Wheeler
Brahm will address long-term demand on the left side of the Canucks and potentially become the top four fixture. But, as always, costs will be the issue – all taking a hit on abandoned assets and blocks. Still, connection is more than speculative; it sounds like a real conversation is happening.
2C Hole: Vancouver’s biggest problem?
But the big question of hovering in Vancouver remains unanswered for all the potential movement around the edge: What will they do in the second-tier center?
“It’s undoubtedly a huge hole,” Seravalli said. “That part has been going on…I think we’re still working on how they solve it.”
Whether through trade, free agency or internal promotion, the Canucks can afford such an important position for next season. Elias Lindholm comes and goes, and while there are options, none of them are cheap or risky. This is expected to be the main storyline for the next few weeks.
What’s next for the Canucks?
All in all, the Canucks are active, but the action has not happened yet. From calling Peterka to feeling the price of Byram, General Manager Allvin tries to stay ahead, but the balance is tricky. The hat space is tight and the demand is urgent, and fans are paying close attention.
Related: Canucks News & Rumors: Suter, Boeser, Rossi, Calder Cup Finals, Olympics, etc.
Before the storm, we were in a state of calm. With the NHL draft approaching and free agent windows starting to open, Vancouver could be one of the more aggressive teams, especially when they can clean up rooms or find creative ways to build deals.
Canucks fans should pay attention to the latest information on Peterka and Byram’s situation and how the team prioritizes the elusive second-tier center. The Garners knew it was time-but pulling them all together could take a week or two of quiet grinding.
