2025–26 Edmonton Oilers’ Pacific rivals preview: Vancouver Canucks

Once again things have rebooted around Quinn Hughes, as the Vancouver Canucks continue to separate from core players. In the Hughes era the Canucks have oscillated between commendable playoff performances and missing the playoffs altogether. The ebb and flow is hardly stale, as the Canucks seem to have their own brand of drama, but the worry is that the apparent stagnation might make it harder to convince Hughes to eventually re-sign with the team.

As it stands, the Canucks are looking to bounce back. There is a healthy amount of young talent on the horizon, but so long as they have a chance to keep Hughes the time is now to strive for more. Losing Rick Tocchet as a coaching free agent, former assistant Adam Foote is promoted to head coach.

Let’s take a look at the Canucks roster to see what the coming season might have in store.

Forwards

DeBrusk–Pettersson–Boeser
Kane–Chytil–Garland
Hoglander–Raty–Sherwood
Sasson–Blueger–O’Connor

At their best this group is dangerous. That high end upside will cast a spectre of hope in its own right, but reaching that potential might be a bigger issue. From the top rope is the play of Elias Pettersson, who has found a deep rut since signing a lucrative extension. If Pettersson can regain his form the Canucks will be much more dangerous. Still, the last year and a half has left a sour taste, enough that the elite centre status is up for debate.

The rest of the forward group is pretty solid. Top-six wingers Brock Boeser and Jake DeBrusk give a baseline of talent, while there are several underrated contributors alongside. Connor Garland and Teddy Blueger are often incredible performers in controlling play and possession, while Kiefer Sherwood has become a steadfast middle-six winger himself. Drew O’Connor brings a combination of size and speed, and could play his way into such esteem. These forwards give the Canucks a lot of stability.

Meanwhile there are spots in this lineup that are less predictable. Some might say that the team’s upside as a whole relies on some positive developments for this group. Filip Chytil is often thought of here, vital as the team’s prospective second centre behind Pettersson. His injury history is most certainly concerning, but even healthy a true second line level of play has been elusive. Both these hurdles for Chytil give the Canucks more pause, already dealing with uncertainties surrounding Pettersson.

This unenviable position makes the fortunes of Aatu Raty and recent first-round pick Braden Cootes all the more important. Cootes is a ways away from being NHL ready, but has a style that would contrast Pettersson nicely. Raty, meanwhile, is a major x-factor, having broken into the regular lineup for most of last season. If Raty can keep improving, it will do the Canucks wonders, and he might have to push Chytil outright for the Canucks to threaten this season.

Some intrigue surrounds upside for younger wingers like Jonathan Lekkerimaki and Nils Hoglander. If either can take hold of a top role in this lineup the Canucks will be better for it. Lekkerimaki has the chance to adorn the forward group with another goal scoring winger.

Beyond, the Canucks will have a number of interesting options from their reigning champion AHL affiliate. Linus Karlsson, Arshdeep Bains, and Max Sasson qualify, while Danila Klimovich might be the most interesting. The return of Vitali Kravtsov is muted, but still worth mentioning.

Defence

Hughes–Hronek
Pettersson–Myers
Forbort–Nils Pettersson

Meanwhile, the state of the Canucks blueline might be the true strength of their team. Obviously Hughes is significant here, but the depth and youth is impressive. Not too long ago the Canucks blueline was in shambles behind Hughes, and president Jimmy Rutherford and GM Patrik Allvin have clearly made this a priority.

On the left behind Hughes, Marcus Pettersson has been a fantastic addition, getting a chance to come into his well earned reputation as a sound defensive presence. A good stylistic contrast to Hughes, Pettersson is a great fit. Elias Nils Pettersson, a younger option, plays a similarly understated but effective brand. Derek Forbort is a more veteran option that might not be able to hold off Nils Pettersson much longer. Pierre-Olivier Joseph provides some puck moving ability, but is likely re-signed to a depth role at this point.

On the right things are anchored by Filip Hronek, who acts as the secondary attacker behind Hughes. Tyler Myers still has some game, but is being asked to do less than in previous iterations of this blueline. The stability Marcus Pettersson brings is huge for Myers in particular. Victor Mancini looks the part as a big defenceman who can skate, a potential staple who is just coming into his own.

There is more on the horizon as the Canucks body William Wallinder on the right and both Kirill Kudryavtsev and Sawyer Mynio on the left. It might be a stretch to see any claim a regular spot this season, but they are worth monitoring in the years ahead. Overall the health of the blueline is strong, which should give the Canucks some much needed certainty to build around.

Goalies

Demko
Lankinen

Similar to the forward group, there is a lot of boom or bust associated with the Canucks goaltending situation. Top of mind is the health of Thatcher Demko, who has missed long stretches with injury. Once thought of as one of the best young goalies in the league, Demko’s stock has fallen considerably between his long absences and the Canucks year-to-year inconsistencies. Still, when and if the stars align Demko is a threat to steal a playoff series.

Kevin Lankinen’s great performance last season earned him a healthy extension. It might seem a luxurious budget to allocate so much to a tandem, but Demko’s availability does force their hand here. Whether or not he is able to maintain this level of play remains to be seen, but Lankinen proved himself in the spotlight after years spent on weaker teams or as an outright backup.

Path to success

Short term the goal is simple, to compete for a Stanley Cup. The Canucks are not seen as one of the foremost contenders, and a lot of their x-factors will have to come up big. This means a return to elite form for Elias Pettersson, and a healthy season for Demko. This might also require some big steps from Raty and Mancini as well. A coming of age for Lekkerimaki would be welcomed, no doubt. Under these conditions the Canucks might be able to outperform expectations.

From a bigger perspective, a strong season might help give clarity to the Hughes situation. With two years left on his deal, his brother Jack is openly dreaming of uniting with Quinn, who could easily join both Jack and Luke on the New Jersey Devils. No doubt Quinn is a proud captain ready to lead his team to his fullest, but the Canucks will need to prove they are not doomed to be the sideshow that have been several times already in the Hughes era. The dye might already be cast, but the team’s performance this season will be crucial to securing an extension for their captain.