It wasn’t long ago that Canucks winger Nils Hoglander looked like an important part of Vancouver’s long-term plans. But things haven’t gone as well this year for him and it appears that teams are starting to kick the tires to see if he’s available. ESPN’s Kevin Weekes reports (Twitter link) that the Capitals, Penguins, and Blue Jackets are among the teams who have explored the possibility of acquiring Hoglander.
Hoglander made an early impact with Vancouver, picking up 13 goals and 14 assists in 56 games in the shortened 2020-21 season. However, his output dipped in the next two seasons, capped off by him spending the bulk of the 2022-23 campaign in the minors with AHL Abbotsford.
However, Hoglander took a big step forward last season. The 23-year-old set new career highs in goals (24) and points (36) despite playing almost exclusively in the bottom six, averaging just 12:06 per game. Still, he was a regular throughout the season and the playoffs, restoring some value along the way.
That was enough for the Canucks to hand him a three-year, $9MM contract extension that will begin next season. While it walks Hoglander right to UFA eligibility at 27 in the 2028 offseason, it looked as if he was going to be a capable bottom-six option for them for a while.
But things haven’t gone anywhere near as well this season. He has been limited to just two goals and three assists in 21 appearances so far despite basically having the same role. Along the way, his shooting percentage has dropped from 20%, a mark that’s hard to maintain, down to 8.7% which is a little below league average.
While Hoglander’s price tag will be $3MM next season, it’s a much more manageable $1.1MM this season as he wraps up his bridge deal. That’s especially important for Washington, a team that is effectively capped out and well into LTIR. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh has ample cap space after moving Lars Eller to the Caps earlier this month while Columbus is at the bottom of the league in spending this season. All three teams make some sense for Hoglander’s services as a player to potentially help their bottom six group while being young enough to still be in the plans if those teams wind up having to pivot to a rebuild down the road.
Despite his slow start, there still should be a fairly strong market for his services beyond those three Eastern Conference teams should GM Patrik Allvin decide to make him available which could make his trade value higher than it might seem. If the Canucks decide to try to shake things up, Hoglander is a potentially viable candidate to move.
Pens aren’t buyers. So…if we are scouting Hoglander, it’s probably part of a deal that would involve one of Rust or Pettersson.
If Jimmy offered Hoglander and a first, that likely gets him either player.
Hoglander fits into the acquiring young players while flipping older 30+ guys like Rust/Rakell.
Acquire a pick and hoglander for one of them gets them younger and leaner on cap.
To your comment the other day on the 3 types of sell off I think it looks like Dubas is going the route of shipping out older players with longer deals for younger guys and guys who are change of scenery types while keeping Sid and Malkin at least.
If it works is another story. I prefer this to the reshuffling a few players and keeping 30+ guys and prefer it to a complete fire sale.
I hate this habit of dealing firsts – Benning’s last brutal trade resulted in Guenther in Utah & Canucks saddled with a painful OEL buyout. For Pettersson I don’t see a first going with Hoglander, maybe a second; for Jiricek it probably takes Hogg & a first but Canucks get a 3rd coming back…
Jackets would have to overplay their hand badly to end up settling for that offer from the Canucks.
I read blue jackets…I hear young d man who wants out…starts with J
Yes, top prospect Dman for your bottom 6 winger with 2 goals.
The jackets don’t need Highlander. We are perfectly fine without taking someone else’s excrement.