Lucic 'wouldn't rule out' playing for hometown Canucks one day

Edmonton Oilers forward Milan Lucic spoke candidly Wednesday about the prospect of playing for his hometown Vancouver Canucks before his career comes to an end.

"It's definitely something I wouldn't rule out. It's obviously something that could still happen," Lucic said on Sportsnet 650. "Things haven't gone that well for me here with the Oilers, especially the last year and a half. New GM, new coach, which haven't even been named yet, so you don't know what their plan is moving forward and stuff like that. It's definitely something that potentially could happen."

Lucic signed a seven-year, $42-million contract with the Oilers on July 1, 2016. Barring a potential buyout to his bonus-heavy contract, Lucic likely isn't going anywhere in the foreseeable future.

The hulking power forward's production has decreased each year since joining the Oilers, capped by a six-goal, 20-point campaign this past season.

Neither Edmonton or Vancouver were in the thick of the playoff hunt this season, but Lucic raved about the growth of the Canucks.

"I think the Canucks right now are a very exciting team," Lucic said. "I love what Jim's done as far as building the team within through the draft and developing players, he's done a great job of that. I think Travis (Green) has done a real good job as well from a coaching standpoint. It's an exciting team, it's a growing team, and you never know what the future has in store for you.

"I remember doing an interview in '07 before the (Memorial) Cup and I said it would always be a dream of mine to someday play for the Canucks, and you still have that kid inside of you, you still have that dream of playing for your hometown team and like I said you never know what the future has in store."

Lucic starred for the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League prior to breaking into the NHL as a 19-year-old with the Boston Bruins.