BREAKING: Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin Liked What He Saw, As He Signed A Three-year, $9 Million Contract With Another Superstar

The life of a professional athlete can be unpredictable, shaped by both external factors and personal performance. Nils Höglander’s career is a prime example of this volatility.

Last season marked a breakthrough for Höglander, as he finally showcased his potential with the Vancouver Canucks. He set personal bests in several key areas, including 24 goals, 36 points, a 20% shooting percentage, a +23 rating, and 100 blocked shots.

This performance clearly impressed Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin, who rewarded Höglander with a three-year, $9 million contract extension ahead of the 2024-25 season. The deal will begin after the expiration of his current two-year, $2.2 million contract.

A strong start to 2024-25, then a setback…
Höglander’s positive momentum carried into the start of the current season, as he earned a spot in the Canucks’ top six forwards. In the first seven games, he played an average of 14:56 minutes per game, contributing two goals and one assist.

However, things took a turn during the Canucks’ eighth game against the Carolina Hurricanes. Höglander’s lackluster backchecking on the Hurricanes’ second goal led to him being demoted to the fourth line as a disciplinary measure. Since then, his performance has struggled. He lost his spot on the second power-play unit, his offensive production has dried up, and defensive lapses have crept into his game.

As a result, Höglander’s ice time has dropped significantly. Over the past seven games, he’s averaged just 11:46 per game, with a season-low of 9:23 in a recent matchup against the Calgary Flames. This has led many to believe that he’s in head coach Rick Tocchet’s doghouse.

Could a trade be on the horizon?
Given his current struggles, there’s growing speculation that Höglander could become a trade candidate. Writers like Thomas Drance and Harman Dayal from *The Athletic* suggest that Höglander could be valuable in a trade for help on the blue line, while Cam Lewis from *Oilers Nation* believes he might be a useful addition to the Edmonton Oilers.

However, it’s too early to consider trading Höglander. While his play has dipped recently, this is still the same player who excelled last season and showed promise at the beginning of this year. The 23-year-old winger still has the potential to be a reliable middle-six forward for Vancouver.

That said, he must address his ongoing mistakes—many of which are preventable—and work to earn back his coach’s trust. With his strong work ethic and energy, Höglander has the tools to turn things around. But if his struggles continue, speculation about a trade could intensify as the March 7 trade deadline approaches.