Canucks Face Crucial Season with Key Questions Ahead of 2025-26

As the Vancouver Canucks prepare to launch their 2025-26 NHL season, a series of pressing questions loom over the team’s prospects. The health of goaltender Thatcher Demko will play a pivotal role in determining the team’s success. Demko’s availability has been inconsistent, featuring in only 23 games last season after a more robust 64-game run during the 2021-22 season. With Kevin Lankinen serving as a capable backup, the Canucks must prioritize managing Demko’s workload to ensure his durability throughout the season.

Another focal point for the Canucks is the performance of forward Elias Pettersson. The 24-year-old finished the previous season with just 15 goals, a significant drop from the 30-goal mark he achieved in earlier years. Pettersson has reportedly gained six kilos through a rigorous off-season training regimen, and the organization is looking for him to regain his scoring touch alongside linemates Brock Boeser and Jake DeBrusk.

The team’s first-round pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, Akseli Lekkerimaki, has shown promise during training camp, improving as the pre-season progressed. The Canucks are keen for Lekkerimaki to contribute offensively, particularly if he can find synergy with Evander Kane. Kane, who joined the Canucks after appearing in 22 playoff games with the Edmonton Oilers last spring, is expected to provide a consistent scoring threat, having previously demonstrated his ability to net 20 goals in a season.

Filip Chytil, acquired in the trade that sent J.T. Miller to the New York Rangers, is another player under scrutiny. After suffering a concussion that limited him to just 15 games last season, Chytil will need to demonstrate his ability to stay healthy and regain his scoring form, which saw him net 22 goals in 72 games during the 2022-23 season.

Leadership has been a concern for the Canucks following a tumultuous previous year. The absence of seasoned leaders like Ian Cole and Nikita Zadorov was noted, and while Kane is the only major veteran addition this off-season, there is hope that a more stable environment will foster accountability among players. Defenseman Quinn Hughes expressed optimism about the team’s current cohesion, indicating a shift towards a more unified approach.

Injuries to players like Nils Hoglander and Teddy Blueger will test the team’s depth early on. Fortunately, the Canucks can draw on young talents such as Arshdeep Baines, Linus Karlsson, and Aatu Raty, who excelled in the AHL last season and are seen as capable replacements for the bottom-six forward positions.

The Canucks’ blue line remains another area of concern, particularly regarding the depth behind their established players. With the compact schedule this season, especially due to the upcoming Olympics, the management is acutely aware of the need for a robust roster capable of withstanding the physical demands.

The urgency for success is heightened by Hughes‘ upcoming unrestricted free agency at the end of next season. The Canucks are aware that demonstrating a commitment to winning is crucial in retaining the 25-year-old superstar. Should the team falter, general manager Jim Rutherford and his team have promising options in Ryan Johnson and Manny Malhotra, who led the Abbotsford Canucks to an AHL championship last season.

Vancouver’s roster is one of the least experienced in the NHL, with a total of 8,366 games played, ranking sixth lowest in the league. This lack of experience, combined with the team’s status as the smallest in the league, raises questions about how they will cope with the rigors of a condensed schedule.

Last season, the Canucks finished with 90 points, missing the playoffs by a narrow margin of seven points. Predictions for the upcoming season are mixed, with betting lines placing their over-under total at 90.5 points, and some analyses, such as one from ESPN.com, projecting a disappointing 79 points, potentially placing them 25th in the league.

For the Canucks to defy the odds, various elements must align, from player health to performance on the ice. The stakes are high as they embark on this new season, and fans will be watching closely to see if their team can rise to the occasion.