Dakota Joshua’s departure from Vancouver didn’t just catch fans off guard—it raised red flags within the hockey community. Just two weeks after the Vancouver Canucks dealt the gritty forward to the Toronto Maple Leafs for a future draft pick, voices around the league are questioning whether the move could come back to haunt the franchise.
While the trade cleared cap space, many questioned the decision to part with a player who consistently energized the lineup. Joshua, who had battled through a frustrating season, welcomed the fresh start in Toronto but didn’t shy away from acknowledging how hard it was to get back into rhythm last year. “Just starting from behind I couldn’t really get my game to where I wanted it to be… But I’m happy to put it behind me and get a fresh start here,” he said recently, according to canucksdaily.com.
The 28-year-old Michigan native isn’t just aiming to blend in. “I’m just looking to hit the ground running when camp starts,” Joshua added, signaling a new chapter in his career as he joins a star-studded roster led by Auston Matthews.
Will Canucks regret trading Dakota Joshua?
Among those voicing concern is Frank Corrado, former Canucks defenseman and current analyst, who didn’t hold back during a recent appearance on Sekeres and Price. While acknowledging Vancouver’s need to manage its cap, Corrado questioned the front office’s strategy in prioritizing other areas over Joshua’s unique skill set.
“I think the Joshua one [hurts] more than the Silovs one, because they’re still pretty well hedged in net,” Corrado said, referencing another recent move that sent goaltender Arturs Silovs to Pittsburgh Penguins.
For Corrado, Joshua’s impact—both seen and unseen—could be difficult to replace. “Change the temperature of the game and frustrate you with what he’s doing away from the puck, and then frustrate you because he can actually score… and kind of finish the job.”
That two-way presence and playoff-ready mentality are what made Joshua so valuable to the Canucks’ bottom six. His ability to grind down opponents and still chip in on the scoreboard isn’t easily replicated, particularly in high-stakes postseason games where momentum swings often dictate outcomes.
A costly cap moves or a calculated risk?
The Canucks’ front office made the trade with a clear objective: free up money to address depth needs at center. Yet, the optics of letting go of a fan favorite in exchange for a fourth-round pick in 2028 prompted criticism, especially considering the team’s desire to build a competitive roster now.
SURVEY Do you agree with Frank Corrado’s warning to the Canucks about trading Dakota Joshua to the Maple Leafs?
Do you agree with Frank Corrado’s warning to the Canucks about trading Dakota Joshua to the Maple Leafs?
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Whether or not the move pays off remains to be seen. But one thing is clear—the shadow of Dakota Joshua’s departure will linger long into the Canucks’ 2025 campaign.