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Despite Vancouver Canucks retaining their key players during free agency, many former team members who departed before the 2024-25 season have signed with new teams. Below is a summary of where these ex-Canucks ended up, as they were not part of the 2024-25 roster.
Ethan Bear spent one season with Vancouver after being traded from the Carolina Hurricanes along with Lane Pederson. In 61 games, he contributed three goals and 13 assists. On July 1, 2025, Bear inked a one-year deal worth $775,000 with the New York Islanders.
Anthony Beauvillier joined Vancouver in 2023 via a trade that sent former captain Bo Horvat to the Islanders. Over 55 games, Beauvillier scored 11 goals and added 17 assists. After moving through several teams, Beauvillier signed a two-year contract with the Washington Capitals worth a $2.75 million average annual value (AAV).
Travis Boyd, claimed off waivers by Vancouver in March 2021, played 19 games and scored two goals. He later signed a one-year contract with the Arizona Coyotes, following three seasons with the Minnesota Wild.
Justin Dowling, who signed a two-year contract with Vancouver in 2021 and mostly played with the Abbotsford Canucks, moved on to the New Jersey Devils. Recently, he signed a two-year deal worth $775,000 AAV with the New York Rangers.
Adam Gaudette, drafted 149th overall by Vancouver in 2015, stayed with the team until 2021 before being traded to the Chicago Blackhawks. After a breakout season with the Ottawa Senators scoring 19 goals in 81 games, he signed a two-year, $2 million AAV contract with the San Jose Sharks on July 1.
Matthew Highmore was part of the return trade for Gaudette. He appeared in 64 games for Vancouver, scoring eight goals and nine assists. After stints with Ottawa and St. Louis, he signed a one-year deal with the Islanders for $775,000.
Curtis Lazar signed a three-year deal with Vancouver in 2022 but was traded to the New Jersey Devils after 45 games. He recently agreed to a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Edmonton Oilers for the 2025 Free Agency period.
Tanner Pearson, a key player during Vancouver’s transition from the Sedin era, was traded in 2019 and left the team in 2023. Following time with the Montreal Canadiens and Vegas Golden Knights, he signed a one-year contract with the Winnipeg Jets.
Lane Pederson’s time with Vancouver was limited to 11 games (and 18 with Abbotsford), where he scored a few points. During 2025 free agency, he signed a one-year, $775,000 deal with the Philadelphia Flyers.
Derrick Pouliot hasn’t played for Vancouver since being released in 2019, having totaled six goals and 28 assists in 133 games. He has since joined five different teams and recently signed a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Rangers.
Nate Schmidt, fresh off a second consecutive Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers, signed a three-year, $3.5 million AAV contract with the Utah Mammoth. He spent only one season with Vancouver, scoring five goals and 10 assists.
Riley Stillman was acquired by Vancouver in a trade involving Jason Dickinson but moved to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for prospect Josh Bloom. For the 2024-25 season, he plays with the Hurricanes and later signed a two-year, $775,000 AAV contract with the Edmonton Oilers.
Jack Studnicka joined Vancouver in a trade for Michael DiPietro and Jonathan Meirenberg in 2022. He is now part of the Panthers organization for the 2025-26 season.
[Image: Adam Gaudette celebrating a goal with Ottawa Senators]
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Fan Take: This comprehensive rundown of former Canucks players highlights the fluid nature of team rosters in the NHL and the importance of free agency in shaping team futures. Hockey fans should watch how these player movements impact both the Canucks’ next chapter and the competitive balance across the league.
