UNBELIEVABLE: He hasn’t played a game for the Vancouver Canucks since early in the 2022-23 season but is under contract until 2026.

The Vancouver Canucks find themselves grappling with a persistent challenge, one that has hampered their maneuverability in the realm of trades and roster management. Tucker Poolman, a veteran defenseman signed to a four-year deal ahead of the 2021-22 season, has become a contractual albatross for the team. Despite being under contract until 2026, Poolman has been notably absent from the Canucks’ lineup since early in the 2022-23 season due to ongoing concussion-related and migraine-related issues.

This unfortunate circumstance has left Vancouver Canucks General Manager Patrick Allvin frustrated, as Poolman’s contract sits idle on the team’s books, occupying valuable salary cap space. Allvin has openly expressed the limitations this situation imposes on his ability to engage in trades and make necessary roster moves. The crux of the matter lies in the fact that, with Poolman unlikely to return to play, his contract qualifies for placement on long-term injured reserve. While this provides the Canucks with some relief against the salary cap and allows them to exceed the cap limit if necessary, it comes at a cost.

The drawback is that utilizing long-term injured reserve prevents teams from accruing cap space over the course of the season when they manage to stay below the salary cap limit on specific days. Allvin acknowledged this dilemma during a press conference held on Friday after the NHL trade deadline. Despite successfully creating some cap clearance throughout the season, it became evident that the lingering presence of Poolman’s contract hindered the Canucks from making significant moves leading up to the trade deadline.

In response to inquiries from Post media after the press conference, Allvin confirmed that he had explored the possibility of trading Poolman’s contract. The complexity of the situation is underscored by the fact that Poolman’s contract still has one more season to run, complicating efforts to rid the team of this financial burden. Allvin’s acknowledgment of exploring trade options suggests a proactive approach to mitigate the challenges posed by Poolman’s contract, as the Canucks seek to free up salary cap space and regain flexibility in shaping their roster for future seasons.