Roster Tweaks: Depth Still Needs Shaping
As of September 5, 2025, the Vancouver Canucks have made decent strides this offseason, but they’re not done yet. Yes, re-signing Elias Pettersson long-term and extending Filip Hronek stabilized some key pieces. But if the Canucks are serious about contending in a tough Western Conference, the bottom half of the roster still needs refinement.
Vancouver’s top-six forward group is in good shape. Pettersson, Miller, Boeser, and Kuzmenko can hang with almost any other team’s stars. The issue is what happens after that. Nils Höglander has shown flashes, but consistency remains elusive. Vasily Podkolzin has not broken out. And the fourth line? A rotating cast with no identity.
The team needs reliable two-way forwards who can log minutes without becoming a liability. Think players like Jordan Staal or Calle Järnkrok — veterans who don’t chase headlines but elevate a team’s structure. Those types are available for the right price, and Vancouver needs to find them.
Blue Line Balance: Still Top Heavy
Quinn Hughes is elite. Filip Hronek complements him well. After that, it gets shaky. Carson Soucy and Ian Cole help with grit and defensive zone coverage, but the team still lacks a puck-moving option on the second or third pair who can transition the play cleanly.
As of today, Hughes logged 25:36 minutes per game in the 2024–25 season, far too much for sustained success. Spreading that responsibility is critical. The Canucks should be eyeing a depth defenseman with high hockey IQ and clean zone exits. Think less “bruiser,” more “smart outlet.” Without that, the team remains vulnerable to high forechecking pressure, especially in the playoffs.
Goaltending Insurance: No Margin for Injury
Thatcher Demko remains the undisputed starter, but durability is a concern. He missed 19 games last season (2024–25) with lower-body injuries. Backup Casey DeSmith played well enough, but there’s no serious competition or insurance behind him.
The Canucks should be in the market for a reliable third goalie, ideally someone with recent NHL minutes and a solid track record in the AHL. Not a sexy signing, but a necessary one. Teams with postseason aspirations can’t afford to gamble on goalie health.
Special Teams: A Work in Progress
Power Play: Needs Adjustments, Not Overhaul
The power play finished 12th in the NHL last season (2024–25) at 21.6%. That’s respectable, but misleading. The first unit — driven by Hughes and Pettersson — did most of the damage. The second unit was nearly invisible, contributing just 7 goals all year. That’s a problem.
Better deployment of second-unit specialists is essential. There’s no reason the second wave can’t be a threat. Add a right-shot forward with quick release and a net-front guy who actually screens, and you’ve got a start.
Penalty Kill: Structural Fixes Needed
The penalty kill, meanwhile, finished 25th in the league (74.8%). That’s simply not going to cut it. The scheme looked reactive, not aggressive. Too much chasing. Not enough stick discipline. No real identity.
The addition of defensive-minded forwards will help, but so would a new approach from the coaching staff. A modern PK needs to be aggressive, not passive. If the current personnel can’t execute that, then it’s time to bring in players who can.
Coaching: Last Chance for the Staff
Head coach Rick Tocchet brought structure and accountability, but he’s now entering a results-driven year. The team has bought in, but there were moments last season when adjustments lagged behind in-game scenarios. Late-game leads disappeared. Matchups weren’t optimized. Bench management was spotty.
This offseason is also about internal growth. If Tocchet and his staff can’t evolve tactically — especially with special teams — they’ll be the next to face scrutiny. Vancouver can’t afford to be outcoached again in key divisional matchups.
Cap Management: Still Tight, But Flexible
As of now, the Canucks have roughly $1.7 million in projected cap space heading into the 2025–26 season, per team sources. That’s tight but manageable. The front office could open more room via buyouts or trades, especially if they want to upgrade at forward or defense.
The Tyler Myers contract is finally off the books, which helps, but Oliver Ekman-Larsson’s buyout still drags down flexibility. Every dollar needs to work harder. The Canucks can’t afford to throw money at problems anymore. Value signings and smart PTOs (professional tryouts) are their best play from here.
Internal Development: The Final Lever
In-house progression is Vancouver’s hidden wildcard. If Höglander or Podkolzin can take a legitimate step, that changes the equation. Same goes for defenseman Akito Hirose, who impressed in limited minutes but hasn’t fully stuck in the lineup.
Prospect Jonathan Lekkerimäki has shown flashes in Sweden, and management remains high on him, but he’s still not NHL-ready. If he comes in hot mid-season, he could be a game-changer. But that’s not a plan — that’s a maybe.
Path to a True Contender: What’s Missing
The Canucks aren’t far off. But “not far” doesn’t win playoff series. They need:
- One reliable middle-six winger with two-way upside
- A second or third-pair defenseman who can skate and pass under pressure
- Penalty kill reinforcements and schematic improvements
- Goaltending insurance with actual NHL experience
The bones of a competitive team are there. The rest comes down to execution — in the front office, behind the bench, and on the ice. The margin for error in the Pacific Division is shrinking. The Canucks can’t afford to miss the mark.
