Vancouver Canucks forwards Brock Boeser and Conor Garland were trade candidates last season, but what about now?

Trade speculation dogged Vancouver Canucks forwards Brock Boeser and Conor Garland throughout last season. It was assumed one or the other would become cost-cutting candidates as management attempted to bolster the roster and free up some cap space.

Instead, the Canucks bought out Oliver Ekman-Larsson in June and traded winger Tanner Pearson last month to the Montreal Canadiens. They're also expected to place sidelined defenseman Tucker Poolman on long-term injury reserve before their season opener on Oct. 11 against the Edmonton Oilers.

Nevertheless, the Canucks still won't have much wiggle room to bolster their lineup. The Toronto Star's Nick Kypreos believes they'd prefer acquiring a defense partner for team captain Quinn Hughes before the start of the season “in a perfect world.”

Kypreos indicated that their trade chips remain focused around Boeser and Garland. He's heard the Canucks could be more willing to retain some salary on certain players compared to last season.

Boeser carries an annual average value of $6.65 million through 2024-25, while Garland's is $4.95 million through 2025-26. They both lack no-trade protection, giving management plenty of flexibility as to potential trade partners.

Considering the high number of teams maxed out on cap space this season, the Canucks would have to retain salary to move Boeser or Garland. Failing that, it would have to be a dollar-in, dollar-out deal.

It's unlikely the Canucks will peddle Boeser, Garland or any other potential trade chips anytime soon. Management will instead spend the opening weeks of the season gauging the club's performance before deciding if any significant moves are necessary.