The Vancouver Canucks have entered a rebuilding phase after trading franchise defenseman Quinn Hughes during the 2025-26 season.
Under new general manager Ryan Johnson and coach Manny Malhotra, who were hired in May and June, respectively, Vancouver has made moves geared toward building for the future and developing younger players.
One of the biggest questions remains at the center position, with star center Elias Pettersson once appearing to be the Canucks' long-term answer to the first-line role after recording 39 goals and 102 points in 2022-23.
However, Pettersson's production has since dropped to roughly a 55-point pace, despite carrying an $11.6 million annual cap hit on his eight-year, $92.8 million contract.
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This offseason, Pettersson has also been linked to the Pittsburgh Penguins, with Rick Dhaliwal reporting Pittsburgh has “some degree of interest” in the forward, and Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman floating the Penguins as a possible fit.
Against that backdrop, The Athletic’s Thomas Drance shared his view of Vancouver’s immediate plans for the top-line center role and pointed toward Marco Rossi above Pettersson.
“This season, I genuinely think the Canucks consider Rossi as their first-line centre,” Drance wrote. “He had legitimate chemistry with Brock Boeser, and I think that left wing spot is probably the best place to park Jake DeBrusk next season, if he isn’t dealt this summer.”
Drance believes Vancouver will give Rossi an extended opportunity in that role.
“My lean, given that Rossi will be 27 when his third contract kicks in, and that Vancouver’s next great first-line centre might be a half-decade out from arriving in any event, is that the optimal strategy is to let Rossi succeed and produce in a top-of-the-lineup role this season,” Drance wrote.
Rossi has two years remaining in his three-year, $15 million contract at a $5 million cap hit. He joined Vancouver in the Hughes trade and recorded 22 points (eight goals, 14 assists) in 33 games. After returning from injury in February, he produced 20 points over the final 25 games while handling the top power-play unit.
