They're out of the playoffs, clearing cap space just to add another veteran in Mikael Granlund, and per Darren Dreger, they also took a hard run at JT Miller.
Indeed, the Canucks turned down an offer including high picks, but turned it down because they couldn't get a center in the deal. At a certain point, beggars can't be choosers, and this will likely bite the Canucks in the a**.