O’Connor, 27, piqued the Canucks’ interest after 16 goals and 33 points in 2023-24 because he played hard for the struggling Penguins. He dipped to six goals and 16 points in 53 games last season before being dealt to the Canucks in a multiplayer swap on Feb. 1.

The forward was originally drafted by Toronto in 2014 and has three years remaining on his contract with a $3.25 million cap hit.

The Maple Leafs acquired forward Dearborn's Dakota Joshua from the Canucks in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft.