Can somebody tell me how the Canucks are over the cap

1 million in cap space is not enough to make you team better, or to gain picks by weapon using cap space.

So the Canucks are supposed to pay assets to trade one of their good player like people on this site have been suggesting? I fail to see how that helps make the team better. That’s a poor argument. Paying to trade players just to take cap dumps from other teams is completely counterproductive The GM has already publicly said they aren’t making moves for short term gain.

I'm pretty sure it's because you are relying on Pearson and Poolman being LTIRetired. Even if it looks likely that is the case, there is still no guarantee there.

I think Van would trade a 3rd to get rid of Garland.
Boeser is not a dump
Miller is not a dump (but should be traded IMO)

Teams need to be cap compliant before LTIR kicks in during the season. Pearson and Poolman have to fit under the cap before they can be put on IR. No idea what the penalty is for not being compliant at the start of the year is though.