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Nikita Tolopilo, Vancouver Canucks (Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images)

Canucks News & Rumours: Tolopilo, Karlsson, Buium & Hronek Trade

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers | By The Old Prof | Last updated Jan 25, 2026 1:40 PM ET

The Vancouver Canucks face the Pittsburgh Penguins at the worst possible moment. Since Christmas, the Penguins have been on fire, going 10–2–2 and blowing teams out with fast starts and layered offence. Their 6–2 drubbing of the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday was just the latest example, as Pittsburgh jumped out early and never let up.

For Vancouver, the challenge couldn’t be clearer. The Canucks have dropped 12 of 13 games, struggling to turn competitive stretches into results — Friday’s 5–4 loss to the New Jersey Devils made that obvious. Pittsburgh already handled Vancouver 5–1 earlier this season, and with Sidney Crosby on a five-game point streak and Evgeni Malkin producing at nearly a point-per-game pace, the Canucks will need nearly flawless play just to stay in it early.

Item One: Another Shuffle in the Canucks’ Crease

The team made another move in goal Saturday, recalling Nikita Tolopilo from the American Hockey League (AHL) and sending Jiri Patera back down. Tolopilo has already seen NHL action this season, appearing in six games with a 2–3–0 record. His numbers — a 3.97 goals-against average and .881 save percentage — show just how challenging those minutes have been behind a team still searching for consistency.

Patera’s most recent recall never turned into an opportunity. He spent three games on the bench and has appeared in just one NHL contest this season, allowing seven goals on 40 shots in an 8–5 loss to the Florida Panthers. With no clear path to regular starts, the Canucks opted to reset their depth chart and give Tolopilo another look.

The move underscores a bigger point: Vancouver’s goaltending situation remains unsettled. Neither Tolopilo nor Patera has proven to be the answer, leaving the team juggling depth while waiting for some stability to emerge in a season with almost no margin for error.

Item Two: Small Bright Spots, But No Easy Fixes

There are still signs of life. Linus Karlsson continues to make himself noticeable, rookie defenceman Zeev Buium finally broke through with his first goal in 18 games, and Brock Boeser remains capable of delivering when chances appear. Those moments matter for a team searching for traction.

Zeev Buium, Vancouver Canucks (Brad Penner-Imagn Images)

But the larger issues persist. Conor Garland’s nine-game scoreless streak highlights how much offence has dried up across the lineup, with the burden falling on the same few players. Until Vancouver can string together complete games — not just good periods — each matchup will continue to feel like an uphill climb.

Item Three: Why Filip Hronek Isn’t Going Anywhere

Trade rumours have swirled around Vancouver’s blue line since Quinn Hughes was moved in December, and Filip Hronek occasionally pops up as a potential target. But the idea that he’s on the block doesn’t hold water. His agent, Allan Walsh, has publicly dismissed the chatter, and both player and team are clearly aligned. Hronek is happy in Vancouver, and the Canucks know exactly what they have.

On the ice, Hronek has been a stabilizing force, even during Vancouver’s rough 11-game losing skid. He pairs competitiveness with productivity, scoring four goals and recording 29 points to sit second on the team. He isn’t just holding the defence together — he’s driving play, contributing offensively, and showing the kind of consistency a team can rely on while rebuilding.

Filip Hronek, Vancouver Canucks (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

At 28, Hronek also brings experience and leadership, mentoring younger defencemen like Tom Willander and Buium and taking on a larger role after Hughes’ departure. He can play big minutes in any situation, from the power play to penalty kill, making him indispensable. For the Canucks, he’s the kind of cornerstone player you build around — and he isn’t going anywhere.

What’s Next for the Canucks?

Vancouver’s margin for error has all but vanished. They’ve had glimpses of good play during this skid, but “competitive” isn’t winning, and small breakdowns are punished immediately. Teddy Blueger said it best after the Devils game: good teams find ways to win those close games, and right now, the Canucks aren’t.

That reality puts extra pressure on a roster already feeling the weight of the standings. The effort is still there, but confidence is fragile, especially when games tilt early. Against a Pittsburgh team that thrives on momentum and quick strikes, Vancouver can’t afford another slow start. The challenge is immediate, and the room for missteps is slim — every game feels like a test.