Still, it’s never zero, and players with 100-point seasons under their belts don’t grow on trees around the league. If offered for the right price, there may be a strong market for Pettersson, though his contract could raise other questions.

“I think there are teams that believe in a fresh start situation that they can get more out of [Pettersson],” Chris Johnston said on The Athletic Hockey Show. “And there’s just not a lot of ways to get centers.”

Pettersson is signed through the 2031-32 NHL season at a steep price. His fully protected contract carries an $11.6 million cap hit. If Vancouver wants to trade the Swedish centerman, it must be willing to retain a large portion of his salary. Otherwise, the Canucks won’t be headed anywhere in trade negotiations.

Pettersson could be an option in thinned-out market

Trading Pettersson may no longer be profitable for the Canucks, who would have to clear several hurdles, and the end reward may not be worth it. However, it might be an option on the table.

Johnston noted the lack of centers available. Well, that aged poorly, as Dylan Larkin has flipped the market upside down with a trade request in Detroit. Still, the fact remains: aside from Larkin, Vincent Trocheck, and possibly Alex Tuch, teams in need of centers are dealing with a very thin catalog.

Canucks could accept trading Pettersson

Considering the organization has undergone several changes at every leadership level, parting ways with Pettersson is a possibility worth exploring, at the very least. For the time being, though, anything can happen in Vancouver.

The same argument could be used to make the case that the Sedins and GM Ryan Johnson will stick with Pettersson, and to suggest that the Canucks will ask their former fifth-overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft to waive his full no-movement clause (NMC).

Many will point out Vancouver should’ve thought better when it gave Pettersson such a deal and decided to stand by it through the final day before the no-trade clause kicked in. However, that was a different organization. For Henrik and Daniel Sedin, they must lie in a bed they didn’t make.

In the event the Canucks decide to trade Pettersson (the forward, not Marcus nor Elias’ defenseman namesake), there are a series of obstacles. And quite frankly, the end goal may not be worth going through so much trouble. If the Canucks won’t retain a portion of Pettersson’s salary, any trade speculation will only lead to a cul-de-sac.

“I have no doubt that [Pettersson] is tradeable, and likely at full bore. Now the thing is if you’re taking on that full contract, I don’t think the Canucks can expect to get much back in return,” Chris Johnston said on The Athletic Hockey Show.

Canucks trust Pettersson can find his footing

Although he led the team in points, Pettersson’s 2025-26 NHL season was nothing to write home about. His value around the league is nowhere near as high as it once was, and any offer the Canucks may get might be considered a waste of time.

Moreover, Daniel and Henrik Sedin, the new co-presidents of hockey operations, general manager Ryan Johnson, and head coach Manny Malhotra may all be willing to try their luck with Pettersson. The revamped front office and the organization’s new leading voices will at least roll the dice. Even if it’s buried deep inside him, somewhere within Pettersson there’s still that fire that led him to a 102-point season in 2022-23.

It can feel like a long time ago, but that was only three years ago. The Canucks believe Pettersson can still reconnect with his best hockey; he isn’t past the point of no return yet. At least they hope so. That’s why they didn’t trade him when they had the chance and the path was clear for such a move. Vancouver is clinging to hope, even if only a sliver remains.

Canucks must live with their decision

Vancouver made a bold commitment to Pettersson when handing him an eight-year, $92.8 million contract. Furthermore, it doubled down on its stance by sticking with him past June 30, 2025. On July 1 of last year, Pettersson’s contract added a full no-movement clause (NMC).

Through the first year of his extension, such a clause wasn’t a part of his deal, giving the Canucks complete freedom to explore Pettersson’s market. In the end, they chose to keep him in town. It was a brazen move then, and one the ‘Nucks may be having cold feet about now. Unfortunately for them, it may already be too late.

There appears to be a no-return policy on this service, and Vancouver may be stuck with Pettersson unless it’s willing to go any distance, including trading him for peanuts and eating up a large portion of the $11.6 million cap hit. Considering there are six more years left on the contract, it doesn’t look like the Canucks would accept such terms.

Vancouver is in trouble

With no easy way out of this pickle, the Sedins and Johnson will carry the can for the old administration’s decisions. The bed was made, and the new front office must now lie in it.

And as most signs point out, it seems like Pettersson will be in Vancity to witness it all unfold. That is, unless the Canucks acknowledge they made a mistake, shop their former fifth-overall pick, find a suitable offer, and Pettersson waives his NMC.

Many chips must fall into place. Considering Vancouver’s luck, it may be easier to simply lie in bed.

What’s more, Pettersson could welcome a fifth different head coach during his time in Vancity. According to a report, the Canucks are set to replace Adam Foote, who in turn had taken over after Rick Tocchet’s exit last offseason. Vancouver may already know who its top candidate is. In fact, it’s someone already within the organization.

“We all think that there’s going to be a new coach in Vancouver, and Manny Malhotra makes the most sense,” Jeff Marek said during an appearance on the Sekeres and Price Show.

Pettersson, Canucks can’t enjoy stability

Last year, the Canucks bet on promoting Foote to the main job. Foote is the fourth different head coach Pettersson has had in Vancouver. If he is indeed fired and Malhotra hired, the 27-year-old center would witness the fourth formal coaching change since he made his NHL debut in 2018.

So far, Pettersson has been under the instructions of Travis Green, Bruce Boudreau, Rick Tocchet, and Adam Foote. Needless to say, such instability within the club is a recipe for disaster. And there may not be a better word to describe the Canucks’ recent years than that.

With such seasons strung together, it’s only logical that so much speculation has surrounded the Canucks. Pettersson is constantly under scrutiny, and his future is always up in the air. It starts at the top. Unless Vancouver finds its footing and establishes a clear direction, things will remain the same.

New faces in Vancouver

Perhaps, with the new administration led by general manager Ryan Johnson and co-presidents of hockey operations Henrik and Daniel Sedin, Vancouver finally sees the light at the end of the tunnel. Things must change around town, and the front-office overhaul may only be the first domino to fall.

There wasn’t a single improvement during the 2025-26 NHL season for the ‘Nucks. They finished with the worst record in the league, and as luck would have it, they didn’t even come away with the first-overall pick in the upcoming draft. Selecting first overall could have been a lifesaver for the organization. By no means is picking third a bad position considering this year’s class, but it still hurts.

However, if the Canucks indeed promote Malhotra to the NHL head coaching job—Malhotra is currently the head coach of the AHL affiliate Abbotsford Canucks—they could form a father-son duo. Manny’s son, Caleb, is considered the top center prospect in the upcoming draft class and could very well be selected by Vancouver with the No. 3 pick.

Caleb Malhotra: Newest Canuck?

If Malhotra (father) becomes the head coach, it may be very telling that Malhotra (son) will be the Canucks’ first selection in the 2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft. Vancouver changed the trajectory of its franchise in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft by selecting Daniel and Henrik Sedin with the No. 2 and No. 3 picks. Over two decades later—with the Sedins inside the organization again—the Canucks could bet on a family tree once more.

Perhaps it’s the decision that changes the tune, because as things stand, it’s one Pettersson and the rest of the team are growing sick and tired of. Maybe the fourth head coaching shake-up is the charm for the Canucks.

In a city accustomed to adverse weather year-round, Vancouver has struggled to find a silver lining for a long time. The Malhotras could arrive to change things.

“There is no player in this Draft that is clear cut, No. 1,” Craig Button said during an appearance on Frankly Hockey. “There just isn’t, in my view. The margins are razor thin.“

If that’s the case, the 2026 NHL Draft could be more of a crapshoot than a sure thing. As a result, the Rangers and Canucks could come away with the most coveted player in the upcoming class—even if he doesn’t end up being selected first overall. The odds may not be in their favor, but both New York and Vancouver know odds can be deceiving. They favored both teams in the Draft Lottery, and everybody knows how that turned out.

Top prospects in 2026 class

Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg are often considered the top—and perhaps only—candidates to be drafted first overall in 2026. However, both are wingers, and that may raise concerns for the Maple Leafs. Centers are more valuable in the NHL, and because of that, a prospect like Caleb Malhotra could be favored by Toronto.

More likely than not, if the Buds settle on Malhotra as “their guy,” they would swap spots on the board with an organization like New York or Vancouver. If the Maple Leafs decide on Stenberg, taking him first overall makes much more sense and wouldn’t be considered nearly as much of a reach—if at all. Still, it would raise eyebrows across Ontario.

Although some Maple Leafs fans have already gone ahead and ordered McKenna jerseys, until the pick is in, anything can happen. It’s no secret the Buds need defensive help more than anything else ahead of the 2026-27 NHL season. If they decide to address that need, prospects like Chase Reid, Carson Carels, and Keaton Verhoeff could all be on their radar.

Leafs could trade down with Rangers, Canucks

The trade route is a very appealing one for the Leafs. If it opens up, the Canucks and Rangers would waste no time sending their offers. Toronto is well aware it could get a king’s ransom—from New York, Vancouver, and even Chicago—to move down a couple of spots. The Maple Leafs may have finished 28th in the league last season, but they are much closer to contention than the Blueshirts, ‘Nucks, and Hawks are. At least on paper they are.

As long as the Leafs have Auston Matthews, they may only be a few pieces away. Those pieces could very well arrive in The Six through a trade involving the No. 1 selection. If they trade down or pass on McKenna, the hardest part to deal with would be the noise within the city. It would follow the Buds through every corner of Toronto.

For John Chayka and Mats Sundin, making such a move just months into their new jobs would certainly send a message. It might even become the kind of decision that lays the foundation for future statues outside Scotiabank Arena—but it could just as easily become the perfect way to speedrun their path to getting fired.

Toronto may not be able to afford such a bet

For Chayka, the stakes are simply too high to take that kind of risk. Even if the organization would rather select Ivar Stenberg, Caleb Malhotra, or a blueliner, drafting McKenna is the only route that won’t have fans lighting torches and marching down Yonge Street calling for their heads.

As things stand, the Maple Leafs hold the fate of the 2026 NHL Draft in their hands. The Rangers and Canucks are behind the eight ball and can only hope to move up the board through a trade. The likelihood of such a move happening depends on who you ask around the league.

Still, for the time being, McKenna is up for grabs. Until the first overall pick is announced at KeyBank Center on June 26, no one can take the beacon of hope away from the Big Apple or Vancity. And who knows? Maybe the entire league is in for a surprise courtesy of the Chayka-Sundin administration in Toronto.

“Vancouver would definitely want a center in return for him,” insider Elliotte Friedman commented on Pettersson’s trade talks during an appearance on the Dmase, Vingan, and Daunic podcast.

While the Canucks’ intention would be to get an immediate replacement in the event of a Pettersson trade, it remains uncertain whether a one-for-one exchange would be enough. Perhaps the NHL organization in Vancity will ask for an even bigger package.

Pettersson’s numbers

Last season, Pettersson finished as the Canucks’ points leader with 51 points in 74 appearances. Considering the former fifth-overall pick in 2017 once put up a 102-point campaign, the fact he led the team with exactly half that production only underlines the crisis in British Columbia.

Moreover, Pettersson’s 51 points were the fewest by a leading scorer in Vancouver during an 82-game season since Henrik Sedin led the Canucks with 50 points in 2013-14.

Pettersson has had concerns surrounding both his game and personality, but when he’s at his best, he is still a force to be reckoned with in the NHL. Despite its beleaguered present, Vancouver will demand proper compensation.

Pettersson’s contract

The Canucks signed Pettersson to an eight-year, $92.8 million extension (through the 2031-32 season) back in March 2024. Vancouver made a bold decision by opting to keep Pettersson in town before the start of the new league year last summer. As soon as the clock struck midnight on July 1, Pettersson’s contract included a full no-movement clause (NMC). If the Canucks wanted full freedom to explore his trade market, the start of July took that option off the table.

As a result, the ‘Nucks are now fully dependent on Pettersson. If he wants to leave British Columbia, he can cooperate and virtually handpick his next club. But if he wishes to stay, he has the power to veto any trade proposal that lands in the front office’s inbox.

Pettersson may accept trade

Considering the Canucks are only at the dawn of a rebuilding process, it’s likely Pettersson would agree to waive his full NMC—which went into effect during the 2025-26 season—if Vancouver comes across an offer too good to pass up.

Of course, before making any move, the Canucks’ front office must first figure itself out and officially announce how the organization will be managed and who will be at the helm. Jim Rutherford is expected to transition into an advisor role following the 2026 NHL Draft, in which Vancouver will select third overall after the Draft Lottery wasn’t particularly kind to the franchise, either.

With the standings in a tightly packed stretch run and Edmonton battling for seeding stability, every result carries immediate consequences. A win for the them would help solidify their place in the playoff bracket.

They are in a position where just one point in this matchup would secure the No. 2 spot in the Pacific Division, while a regulation loss could see them slip to No. 3 or even into a wild-card position if both the Kings and Ducks win their games.

What happens if Oilers beat Canucks today?

If the Edmonton Oilers beat the Vancouver Canucks, they earn 2 standings points and significantly improve their chances of finishing higher in the Pacific Division and securing a better playoff seed.

In the NHL standings system, a regulation, overtime, or shootout win always awards 2 points, while the losing team gets 0 in regulation or 1 point if the game goes beyond regulation.

That makes this matchup crucial for their final positioning in a tightly packed Western Conference race. With a stronger finish, they would be positioned to face the Anaheim Ducks in the first round.

It also strengthens tiebreaker control. Edmonton currently benefits from regulation wins (ROW), a key NHL tiebreak rule used when teams finish level on points, which can decide final playoff seeding.

What happens if Oilers and Canucks tie today?

If the game is tied after regulation and goes to overtime or shootout, both teams are guaranteed at least 1 point, while the winner takes 2 points and the loser earns 1 point. This is known as the “loser point” system in the NHL; once a game reaches overtime, the result splits into either:

• Winner: 2 points
• Loser (OT/SO): 1 point
• Regulation loss: 0 points

For Kris Knoblauch‘s team, this scenario still keeps them alive in the standings race, but it reduces their ability to climb the Pacific Division compared to a full regulation win.

What happens if Oilers lose to Canucks today?

If the Oilers lose in regulation, they earn 0 points, while an overtime or shootout loss still gives them 1 point, and both scenarios could impact their standings and lead to a tougher first-round playoff matchup depending on final results.

A regulation loss is the worst-case scenario in NHL scoring, because it allows rivals to gain ground while Edmonton gains nothing in the standings. Even though they have already clinched a playoff spot, seeding is still extremely volatile.

“I just feel like you’re so day-to-day, and the season is flying by. Like, so much has happened. You don’t even really think about it until it’s here,” Hughes commented on his return to Vancouver, via Rink Wide: Vancouver’s Jeff Paterson. “Probably won’t feel real until warmups. It’s been such a long year, you don’t even process everything that’s going on.”

Hughes was drafted by the Canucks with the 7th overall pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. He quickly became a franchise cornerstone and blossomed into arguably the best defenseman in the league. In the 2022–23 season, he won the James Norris Memorial Trophy. Now, he returns to an arena he used to call home, only this time he will be wearing a different jersey.

For Hughes, it will also be his first game on Canadian ice since winning gold with Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Whether that memory will play a role in how the home fans greet him at Rogers Arena remains to be seen. One thing is clear, though: the stage is set for an emotional return by all accounts.

Hughes’ numbers this season

With Vancouver spiraling out of control, it became clear that Hughes’ time with the organization would run out soon in the 2025-26 season. On December 12, 2025, the Wild acquired Hughes, and the defenseman has been nothing short of lights-out ever since.

Hughes had registered 23 points in 26 games with Vancouver this season. Since being dealt to Minnesota, he has put up 49 points (four goals and 45 assists) in 42 outings. Against the Canucks, Hughes will look to record his 50th career point with the Wild.

Clinching scenario for Wild against Canucks

The realities couldn’t be more different for Minnesota and Vancouver. As they go head-to-head, that contrast is on full display. The Wild can clinch a playoff spot with just one point against Vancouver, while the Canucks would lock in last place in the league standings with a loss of any kind.

There are other scenarios around the league that could lead to the same outcome, but that’s the bottom line. If Hughes and his new team walk away with a win in Vancouver, they will punch their ticket to the postseason while also ensuring the Canucks finish at the bottom of the standings—and, in turn, secure the best odds of landing the first overall pick in the NHL Draft Lottery.

The injury occurred during Colorado’s 9–2 win over Calgary, where he still managed to record three assists before exiting in the second period. He left that game early after taking a hit and did not return.

Reports indicate the concern stems from an upper-body issue, with early speculation ranging from minor discomfort to a possible shoulder injury, though multiple insiders have suggested it is not believed to be serious at this stage.

How did Cale Makar get injured?

Cale Makar suffered an upper-body injury after taking a hit during the Colorado Avalanche’s 9–2 win. The play occurred late in the second period when the star defenseman was checked by Flames forward Adam Klapka, after which he briefly stayed in the game but was visibly affected and did not return for the third period.

Before leaving the ice, the defenseman had already been one of the standout performers of the night, recording three assists and continuing his dominant offensive form from the blue line.

However, the hit led the team’s medical staff to pull him out for precautionary evaluation, and he was officially ruled out for the remainder of the game with what the club labeled an upper-body injury.

When could Cale Makar return to play?

Cale Makar is currently considered day-to-day, meaning his return to the Colorado Avalanche could come as soon as the next game, but it will ultimately depend on how he responds to treatment and pregame testing.

Medical updates suggest the organization is treating the situation cautiously, especially with the playoffs approaching and the Avalanche in a strong position in the standings.

For now, his status remains a true game-time decision heading into upcoming matchups, including the scheduled clash against the Vancouver Canucks, with final confirmation expected closer to puck drop depending on warmups and coaching evaluation.

How has Cale Makar performed this season?

Cale Makar is once again delivering a Norris Trophy–caliber season for the Colorado Avalanche, posting 66 points (19 goals and 47 assists) in 57 games so far in 2025–26.

The elite defenseman remains one of the most productive blue-liners in the entire NHL, ranking near the top among defensemen in both points and plus-minus while playing heavy minutes in all situations.

His offensive impact has been especially consistent in recent weeks, including multi-point performances that have helped the Avalanche maintain one of the strongest records in the Western Conference.

The Avalanche consistently control possession and scoring chances with him leading the breakout game and stabilizing defensive matchups against top opponents, reinforcing why he is considered a central piece of their Stanley Cup aspirations heading into the final stretch of the regular season.

With the NHL trade deadline (March 6) grabbing the spotlight around the league, the Canucks are not exempt from the noise. They may be dead last in the standings, but they can still hear the loud buzz from the basement. Moreover, as teams in the penthouse prepare for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, they look down at the disheartened Canucks in search of a diamond in the rough.

In that regard, Pettersson may very well be a key addition for any organization with Stanley Cup hopes. Still, his personality is often frowned upon around the league, and it could steer teams away from him. When asked about the rumors surrounding his name, Pettersson delivered a stern response—one that only reinforced that perception.

“I mean, it’s you guys who make the trade rumors so ask yourself,” Elias Pettersson told reporters after practice on Monday, via Adam Kierszenblat of The Hockey News.

Could Pettersson be traded?

It feels like there is always drama surrounding Pettersson in Vancouver. Last offseason, the Canucks’ front office made a choice they can’t take back. During the 2023-24 season, Vancouver re-signed Pettersson to an eight-year, $92.8 million extension—an $11.6 million annual cap hit running through 2032.

However, the Canucks had only a narrow window to move him without restrictions. By keeping him on the roster past July 1, 2025, they allowed his full No-Movement Clause (NMC) to kick in. Now, if Vancouver wants to ship Pettersson out, he must waive that clause for a trade to happen.

The Canucks had their chance to control the narrative, but now Pettersson is the one firmly in the driver’s seat. It feels as though the steering wheel was handed to him the moment J.T. Miller was traded and Rick Tocchet stepped aside. However, Vancouver has only headed downhill. If he wants out and the team is keen on moving him, a deal is possible. But if he’s content to stay in British Columbia, the front office is essentially powerless.

Some cases emerged from expansion imbalance, weak divisions, and formats that favored survival over excellence. The records were ugly, the margins thin, and the logic often questionable, with losing streaks telling the real story.

Years later, those playoff entries still stand out. They weren’t memorable for long runs or trophies, but for how low the bar once sat—and how the postseason occasionally welcomed teams that barely held it together.

The worst records ever to make the NHL playoffs

Vancouver Canucks (1978–79)

The 1978–79 Vancouver Canucks are a fascinating snapshot of how league structure can rewrite competitive fairness. In an era when nearly two-thirds of NHL clubs qualified for the postseason, they managed to earn a Stanley Cup Playoffs spot despite a 25-42-13 record (63 points).

Their qualification was less about success and more about the Smythe Division’s collective weakness; Vancouver’s point total was second only to division mate Chicago, whose own record was barely above .500.

On ice, they were an inconsistent outfit. Though Ron Sedlbauer cracked 40 goals and served as a rare bright spot, the team’s –74 goal differential reflected defensive instability and offensive stagnation against stronger opponents.

In the playoffs, Vancouver proved why their regular season results weren’t a fluke: they were eliminated in the preliminary round by the Philadelphia Flyers in a best-of-three, managing just one win before bowing out.

Oakland Seals (1969–70)

If early NHL expansion had a poster child for competitive futility, it would be the 1969–70 Oakland Seals. In just their third season, they limped to a 22–40–14 record (58 points) and finished dead last among playoff qualifiers — a team that, under modern formats, would have been nowhere near postseason contention.

But the context is key: the NHL’s post-1967 expansion divisions were notoriously uneven. Teams simply didn’t have enough talent depth to keep up with longstanding franchises, and the West Division in particular was an early battleground for instability.

Oakland’s offense sputtered (169 goals scored), their defense was porous (243 allowed), and the club’s roster featured few impact stars. Ted Hampson led the club with just 52 points, and Carol Vadnais paced the team with 24 goals — modest totals even for that era.

Their playoff run was short and bitter: swept 4-0 by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the quarterfinals. But the Seals’ mere presence in the playoffs remains one of the more surreal snapshots of how expansion growing pains could catapult underachieving teams into April hockey.

Los Angeles Kings (1968–69)

Two years before the Oakland Seals’ playoff appearance, the Los Angeles Kings of 1968–69 embodied the same paradox: a club with poor results but postseason access. Their 24–42–10 record and 58 points look bleak on paper, yet Los Angeles finished fourth in the West Division and qualified for playoff action.

This was a formative NHL era, shortly after the league doubled in size. Competitive balance hadn’t caught up to rapid expansion, and divisions like the West were composed of teams still finding their identities.

In a twist of fate, this Kings squad actually won a playoff game and pushed their quarterfinal series to seven games, an unexpected achievement given their regular season struggles, before an eventual defeat.

Toronto Maple Leafs (1987–88)

When discussing the worst teams to make the NHL playoffs, no story hits harder than the 1987–88 Toronto Maple Leafs. This club finished the season 21–49–10, accumulating just 52 points — the fewest of any team ever to reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs in a full season since the modern era began.

Toronto’s plight was a perfect storm of structural advantage and on-ice ineptitude. They were part of the Norris Division, widely viewed as the weakest in the league that year, and took advantage of a format that advanced four teams from each division regardless of overall performance.

Statistically, this Maple Leafs team was a sieve defensively (outscored 345–273) and scraped out wins only sporadically. Eddie Olczyk’s 42 goals were a lone offensive bright spot in a season most fans would rather forget.

They clinched their playoff berth by a hair, edging the Minnesota North Stars by a single point, only to be dispatched in the opening round. Even decades later, the ’87-88 Leafs are the benchmark for how low a seasonal win total can be and still result in playoff hockey.

Which teams have the most losses in the NHL playoffs?

Though many believed Hughes’ departure would only be the beginning of the end for the Canucks, goaltender Thatcher Demko still believes in Vancouver. According to a report around the NHL, the 30-year-old netminder has no plans to leave Pettersson and the Nucks.

“Demko made clear after the Hughes trade that he does not want out,” Rick Dhaliwal stated on the latest episode of Donnie and Dhali – The Team. Demko recently agreed to a contract extension with Vancouver.

Demko’s contract

As he was set to become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) in the summer of 2026, Demko and the Canucks committed to a long-term extension during the latest NHL offseason. Following the 2025–26 campaign, Demko’s new deal will go into effect.

The former second-round selection agreed to a three-year, $25.5 million contract extension ($8.5 million cap hit) with the Canucks, running through the 2028–29 season. Demko is currently playing the final season of his five-year, $25 million deal ($5 million cap hit).

Or forever hold your peace

Though Demko is staying put in Vancouver, he still has time to reconsider his stance. With the Canucks trending toward the NHL’s basement, now may be the best time to raise his hand and ask out of the organization. Any later may be too late.

Moreover, Demko’s expiring contract carries no trade protection, whereas his new deal for the 2026–27 season includes a full no-movement clause (NMC). Of course, that clause works in Demko’s favor, as he can waive it at any time. Still, it’s easier to work out a deal when such a provision isn’t in place.