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Vancouver Canucks head coach Adam Foote watches the action (Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images)

Canucks News & Rumours: Foote, Chytil & Friedman on Pettersson Trade

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers | By The Old Prof | Last updated Jan 23, 2026 1:45 PM ET

After an 11-game losing streak, it didn’t take much to wake the building up. When the Vancouver Canucks held on to beat the Washington Capitals—Alex Ovechkin and all—there was suddenly energy at Rogers Arena again. Not belief, exactly, and certainly not relief in the long-term sense, but something close enough to feel unfamiliar. It didn’t erase the frustration of the past two months, but for one night, the bleeding stopped. Sometimes that’s enough to celebrate.

What it means for the rest of the season is anyone’s guess. One comeback win doesn’t change the standings or rewrite a story that’s been painful to follow, but it did create a pause—a moment where the noise softened, and the team could breathe.

The Canucks will turn their attention to the New Jersey Devils on Friday night, carrying with them the fragile benefit of one good night. It may not lead anywhere lasting, but at least it reminded everyone in the building what it feels like when a game doesn’t slip away.

Item One: Against the Capitals, the Canucks Responded to Foote’s Message

The win against the Capitals didn’t happen in a vacuum. It came one night after head coach Adam Foote publicly challenged his veteran group following Monday’s 4-3 loss to the New York Islanders, calling out poor body language and a lack of leadership on the bench. It wasn’t subtle, and it wasn’t meant to be. The response, at least for one night, looked exactly like what he was asking for.

Brock Boeser addressed it directly afterward, noting how important it is for veteran players to set the tone, especially for young teammates watching how adversity gets handled. Against Washington, the Canucks didn’t unravel after falling behind early. They didn’t sag when the Capitals pushed late. They didn’t turn frustration into visible disengagement. That alone marked a departure from too many recent nights.

Foote talked about calm over emotion, and that showed in how Vancouver managed momentum swings. They stayed connected, stayed patient, and didn’t let the game slip into chaos. It doesn’t fix the standings or erase months of damage, but it does suggest the room is still reachable. At this point in the season, that may matter more than any single result.

Item Two: Filip Chytil’s Return Is Getting Close, But Caution Rules

Filip Chytil being listed as a game-time decision for Friday’s matchup against the Devils might not sound like much, but for the Canucks, it counts as real progress. Foote said the situation “looks promising,” which is a meaningful shift after months of uncertainty surrounding Chytil’s upper-body injury.

Filip Chytil, Vancouver Canucks (Bob Frid-Imagn Images)

Chytil hasn’t played since Oct. 19. He’s missed 44 straight games and spent most of that time on injured reserve. Unfortunately, this isn’t new territory. Injuries have limited the 26-year-old to just 72 regular-season games over the past three seasons, turning what should be prime development years into a frustrating cycle of stops and starts.

Because of that history, expectations need to stay modest. Any talk of scoring milestones or immediate impact misses the point. For Vancouver, Chytil’s potential return isn’t about instant offence—it’s about depth, pace, and having another credible option down the middle. Even easing him back into a sheltered role gives the coaching staff more flexibility during a stretch where stability has been hard to come by.

The keyword here is patience. A healthy Chytil in March matters far more than squeezing a rushed appearance into January. The Canucks don’t need him fast—they need him right.

Item Three: Pettersson Trade Talk Still Lacks One Key Ingredient

As the Canucks try to steady themselves, the noise around Elias Pettersson continues off the ice. Elliotte Friedman poured a bit of cold water on the latest wave of trade speculation this week, suggesting the conversation is getting well ahead of reality.

Speaking on the 32 Thoughts podcast, Friedman said he remains unconvinced Pettersson would waive his no-trade clause without a compelling reason. Interest alone isn’t enough. Fit alone isn’t enough. For any deal to move forward, there has to be something tangible that makes him want to say yes.

Team Sweden forward Elias Pettersson looks on in warm-up before the game against Team Canada during a 4 Nations Face-Off (David Kirouac-Imagn Images)

Friedman acknowledged that situations can change. Constant trade rumours wear on players, and there are moments when that noise becomes exhausting. But frustration doesn’t automatically translate into willingness. Teams can talk all they want about destinations and possibilities, but until there’s a clear benefit for a player, speculation stays exactly where it is—speculation.

That message was echoed by Pettersson’s agent, J.P. Barry, who downplayed much of the chatter in a recent appearance on Donnie and Dhali. From his perspective, rumours don’t mean much unless the general manager is actually calling with a real proposal. Until that happens, the Pettersson conversation remains loud, persistent, and largely disconnected from action.

What’s Next for the Canucks?

What comes next for the Canucks is less about climbing the standings and more about changing the rhythm of their season. One comeback win doesn’t fix months of inconsistency, but it does create a narrow opening. With only five home wins all season and no back-to-back victories at Rogers Arena since early March, this hasn’t been bad luck—it’s been habit.

Friday against the Devils offers a chance, even if it’s a small one. A second straight home win wouldn’t erase the damage already done, but it would suggest the response to adversity was real and not just emotional. For a team that’s spent most of the season chasing stability, the next step is simple but demanding: prove that one good night can lead to another. That’s the test now. Not belief. Not optimism. Just proof.