A look at the Vancouver Canucks depth chart

After a terrible season for the Vancouver Canucks in regard to their expectations, Patrik Allvin has been busy. Multiple players hit the free agent market, while more were in need of contract extensions. With not much cap space to work with, Allvin began working the phones.

He brought in Evander Kane and Pierre-Olivier Joseph. Due to the changes and now younger players getting their chance, the depth chart will be looking different.

Centres

Down the middle for the Canucks is a major problem. The 1C will almost certainly be Elias Pettersson, who must step up. Since the second half of the 2023-24 season, Pettersson has struggled to live up to his $11.6M contract. If this team wants any chance of going back to the postseason, he must step up.

When J.T. Miller was traded, the Rangers sent Filip Chytil the other way. Chytil is 25 and has potential to be a solid 2C. The downside is that he has suffered multiple concussions. If he can stay healthy, Chytil will be an extremely solid piece for this Canucks team.

Teddy Blueger has shown to be an effective bottom-six player. At 30 years of age, and this team has seemingly wanted to inject youth in the lineup, is it possible that Blueger leaves Vancouver?

Aatu Raty was once regarded as a first overall pick before sliding down the draft. The New York Islanders sent him over in the Bo Horvat deal. Since then, he has shown some promise. He has the potential to break out this season and solidify himself as a bona fide NHL player.

Max Sasson was important for the Abbotsford Canucks in their Calder Cup run. While he did play as a winger in the NHL during his short stints, he is more of a centre. If Blueger is moved, the bottom-six centres would most likely be Raty and Sasson.

Left wingers

The first line left winger is most likely going to be Jake DeBrusk. DeBrusk was brought in as the Canucks major free agent signing last summer. What was first thought of as a steep contract turned out to be a tidy piece of business. DeBrusk had 28 goals and 20 assists for 48 points through 82 games. He wasn’t afraid to be physical and was an all-around player under Rick Tocchet.

Next on the left side, there is Nils Hoglander. Hoglander is still young at just 24; however, he hasn’t lived up to the potential he had at the start of his career. Now, he wasn’t given many opportunities and had a much shorter leash than other Canucks with Tocchet. Even then, his 25 points weren’t enough, especially if he will be playing in the top-six this year.

Drew O’Connor became a Canuck after being shipped alongside Marcus Pettersson. O’Connor has done his job as a bottom-six winger, bringing in the depth scoring and the occasional grit. He isn’t expensive at just $2.5M AAV, which is good for a cap-stricken Canucks team. His offensive production last season was exactly what was expected of him in his role. Now under Adam Foote, he will be expected to keep that up.

Lastly on the left, we have Evander Kane. Kane will likely play higher in the lineup. He is best on the left, and if we are saying Max Sasson will slot in down the middle, then Kane moving on the left makes the most sense. If not, then he would most likely play on the right. However, for a team that is trying to put their young players in the lineup, moving Blueger and putting Kane on the left opens up that spot for Sasson down the middle and another youngster on the right.

Right wing

Brock Boeser was all but gone. No one thought that he was staying in Vancouver, yet on July 1, we were given a shock: Boeser would re-sign for seven more years. Taking what is reported to be less than what he was asking for to stay in Vancouver. Canucks fans know what he is capable of – a 40-goal scorer just two seasons ago, and someone reliable in the offensive zone. With how much turnover this roster has had, keeping Boeser helps keep that familiarity.

Another guy staying in Vancouver for the next seven years is Conor Garland. Garland officially signed a six-year contract extension that kicks in next year on July 1. Garland has been a fan favourite ever since he was brought over in the Oliver Ekman-Larsson trade in 2021. At just 5’8″, he gets in every scrum, drives the net, produces extremely well, and is one of the most hardworking guys on the ice.

Linus Karlsson has gotten multiple looks with the big team and has impressed with his play. Six points through 23 games last season in a limited role before being sent back down to Abbotsford. That aforementioned open spot on the right would go to Karlsson or another young Swede.

Jonathan Lekkerimaki has been the Canucks most touted prospect for some time. Drafted 15th overall in the 2022 NHL Draft, Lekkerimaki has since been named MVP of the 2024 World Junior Championships. He is five years younger than Karlsson and has a higher upside as a top-six forward. Whether or not the Canucks decide to continue his development in the AHL remains to be seen.

Finally, a guy that will most certainly be on the team is Kiefer Sherwood. He broke the single-season hits record and was effective in the bottom-six. Another fan-favourite after multiple electrifying performances, Sherwood brings energy and offence to this team.

Defence

Quinn Hughes is the star of this team, the captain. The best player the Canucks have had since the Sedin twins. Already with a Norris at 25, Hughes is a top-two defenceman in the NHL alongside Cale Makar. on July 1, 2026, he is eligible for an extension. However, with everything surrounding the team, there has been speculation about him leaving. Allvin, Rutherford, and the front office will pull out all the stops to keep their franchise player; however, it depends on whether this team can turn it around.

Alongside Drew O’Connor, Allvin acquired Marcus Pettersson. Pettersson is a very strong left shot defenceman who will flourish underneath Hughes. Having been number one on the left side in Pittsburg, he was a very solid two-way player. Now with less responsibility, he can elevate his game to its full potential.

The third and final Pettersson in Vancouver, Elias Pettersson. No, not the centre, the defencemen. Pettersson has shown that he can play solid defensively at just 21-years of age. At 6’3″, 209lbs, he plays extremely physical, throwing the body any chance he gets. He began getting more looks as a full-time NHLer late last year and should start on the team.

On the right, Quinn Hughes’ partner will most likely be Filip Hronek. He and Hughes have had chemistry together ever since Hronek joined the team. The two read each other well and complement each other’s play styles. If Hronek can stay healthy, the Canucks will be in a good spot defensively.

Tyler Myers had a rough start to his career with the Canucks, mostly due to his monster contract. Now that he’s only makes half of that, his play has become more acceptable, especially as a second pairing defenceman. While he is getting up there in age at 35, he still has plenty to offer in Vancouver and will be utilized by Adam Foote.

Allvin liked what he saw from Derek Forbort last season enough that he gave him a fresh, new one-year contract. Forbort is a penalty killing defenceman and someone to deploy in your own end. An area of the ice where the Canucks did struggle some times last season.

Someone who could split games with Derek Forbort is Victor Mancini. Mancini was acquired alongside Chytil and played extremely well for the Abbotsford Canucks. He has showed promise as an NHL player and definitely is capable of making the team next year.

Goalies

Injury removed, Thatcher Demko is one of the best goaltenders in the NHL. Not long ago, he was a Vezina finalist before injuries hurt his performance. The injury has severely hurt Demko, and there is quite a bit of risk with him now. If he can stay healthy, he can go back to his Vezina-calibre play.

With the injury troubles to Demko last season and Arturs Silovs struggling as a full-time starter, the Canucks played Kevin Lankinen. Lankinen has always been a true number one goalie who has been overlooked. Last year, he made sure no one could overlook him anymore. The reason why the Canucks weren’t losing more games, especially at the beginning of the season. He was rewarded with job security and a nice payday, signing a 5 year $22.5M contract – $4.5M AAV.

Not quite the team that won the Pacific division not long ago, but still a team capable of making the playoffs. If they want to make the post-season, their top guys need to step up.