The air is about to get a little cooler, the leaves will soon start to turn, and the familiar sound of skates carving into fresh ice will echo through Rogers Arena. For the Vancouver Canucks and their fans, the start of training camp in three weeks can’t come soon enough. This isn’t just another preseason; it’s a crucible. After the unmitigated succhycess of the 2023-24 campaign, last season’s failure to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs was a bitter pill to swallow—a “significant step back” by any measure. Now, the pressure is on.
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Management, the coaching staff, the veteran core, and a wave of new talent are all converging on a singular goal: to right the ship and prove that 2023-24 was the new standard, not a fleeting anomaly. This year’s camp is defined by intense internal competition, crucial questions surrounding the team’s superstar leaders, and the highly anticipated arrival of the organization’s next generation. From battles for the last roster spots to the future of the blue line, here are the key storylines and players to watch as the Canucks prepare for a pivotal 2025-26 season.
The Crown Jewels Arrive
For years, the Canucks’ prospect pipeline has been a source of anxiety. That narrative is beginning to change, led by two players who represent the future cornerstones of the franchise. While they may start the year in Abbotsford, their performance in camp will be a barometer for how soon they can make a seismic impact in Vancouver.
First up is Tom Willander, the 20-year-old right-shot defenceman universally hailed as the organization’s top prospect. After two seasons of dominant, polished play at Boston University, the smooth-skating Swede is ready to turn pro. Willander possesses a rare and coveted toolkit: the offensive instincts and mobility to drive play, paired with the defensive acumen and hockey IQ to shut down top opponents. The Canucks haven’t had a right-shot defensive prospect of this calibre in a long, long time. The long-term vision is tantalizing—a potential top pairing where Willander skates alongside captain Quinn Hughes, creating a dynamic duo that could terrorize the league for a decade. A full season of professional seasoning in the AHL seems likely, but a strong camp could accelerate that timeline and give fans a glimpse of the future.
If Willander is the future of the defence, then Jonathan Lekkerimäki is the undisputed future of the offence. At 21, the right winger already possesses the single most valuable tool in hockey: an elite, pro-level shot. He is a natural goal scorer, the kind of player you build a power play around. Lekkerimäki got a taste of the NHL last season, and while he may require a bit more development time in the AHL to round out his 200-foot game, his destiny is to score goals in Vancouver. Management envisions him as a consistent 25-30 goal threat, and potentially the “perfect running mate” for Elias Pettersson. A player with Lekkerimäki’s finishing ability is exactly what Pettersson needs to unlock his own offensive ceiling. His progress will be one of the most closely watched aspects of the preseason.
The Next Wave Knocking
Beyond the headliners, the Canucks have assembled an intriguing collection of prospects who are on the cusp of pushing for NHL duty. This newfound depth, particularly on the blue line, is a significant organizational strength heading into the season.
The defensive pipeline is looking healthier than it has in recent memory. Kirill Kudryavtsev (LHD, 21) is a fantastic development story—a seventh-round pick who has blossomed into a legitimate NHL prospect. He’s a shutdown defender first, but showed intriguing offensive flashes and was a standout during Abbotsford’s playoff run. He has a real shot to push for a spot on the main roster out of camp. Joining him in the professional ranks is Sawyer Mynio (LHD, 20), a hard-nosed, competitive defender who excels on the penalty kill and has steadily improved his offensive game. He’s ticketed for the AHL, but his rugged style makes him a prime candidate for a mid-season call-up should injuries strike. Then there’s Victor Mancini (RHD, 23), a big, mobile, and reliable stay-at-home defenceman. His simple, effective game could make him one of the first prospects to see significant NHL action, providing much-needed depth on the right side.
Up front, a pair of intriguing centers are making their case. Braeden Cootes (C, 18) is a long shot to make the team, but he’s a player to get excited about. Coming off a brilliant WHL season and a gold medal performance at the U18 World Championship, Cootes is a skilled playmaker with an exceptionally high hockey IQ and a relentless work ethic. His advanced two-way game could shorten his path to the NHL. Meanwhile, Ty Mueller (C, 22) is closer to being NHL-ready. A versatile, all-around forward and a strong penalty killer, Mueller has the profile of a classic bottom-six contributor who can carve out a long and effective career.
And while he’s years away, keep an eye on 17-year-old goaltender Aleksei Medvedev. The quick, athletic netminder is the organization’s top goaltending prospect and the heir apparent to Thatcher Demko’s throne.
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The Waiver Wire War
If the prospect showcase is the appetizer, the main course of training camp will be the fierce battle for the final few spots in the bottom-six forward group. This is where the competition gets ruthless. There are “upwards of five or six players” vying for what will likely be just one or two opening night roster spots. Making this fight even more compelling is the waiver status of three key contenders. For them, a disappointing camp doesn’t just mean a trip to Abbotsford; it means a 24-hour journey on the waiver wire, where any of the other 31 NHL teams can pluck them away for nothing.
Linus Karlsson (RW, 25) enters camp with serious momentum. He’s been named a potential breakout candidate for the upcoming season after a “record-breaking performance” and an “incredible run” in the AHL playoffs. At 25, he’s poised to leave the AHL behind for good. The Canucks desperately need more offensive punch and reliability from their third and fourth lines, and Karlsson seems ready to provide it.
Arshdeep Bains (LW, 24) is the ultimate underdog story. The Surrey native has fought for everything he’s earned and has already proven he can compete at the NHL level. He’s a gifted playmaker whose waiver eligibility means the organization has a tough decision to make. He can no longer be sent down freely, forcing management to either give him a permanent spot or risk losing him.
The same pressure applies to Aatu Raty. Acquired in the Bo Horvat trade, Raty is also no longer waiver-exempt. He must make the team out of camp or be exposed. The intense competition between Karlsson, Bains, and Raty for what might be the 12th or 13th forward position will be a must-watch storyline from the first day of camp. Their collective contribution—or lack thereof—will be a significant factor in the team’s overall competitiveness.
Separate from this battle, but equally important, is the race for the second-line center position. This has been a perennial question mark for the Canucks, and former New York Ranger Filip Chytil enters camp as the prominent name expected to seize that critical role. A stable and productive 2C is essential if Vancouver hopes to return to its 2023-24 form.
The Weight on the Stars
For all the excitement about prospects and roster battles, the Canucks’ success ultimately rests on the shoulders of their established stars. This season, both of the team’s franchise players enter camp with significant pressure and lingering questions.
For captain Quinn Hughes, the “noise” around his contract situation is impossible to ignore. While he is signed for this season and next, the clock is ticking for GM Patrik Allvin to lock him into a long-term, eight-year extension. That window is reportedly closing, with a three-month notice period looming. Until Hughes puts pen to paper on a deal that will keep him in Vancouver for the prime of his career, a cloud of uncertainty will hang over the franchise. Hughes is the heart and soul of the team, and securing his future is the single most important piece of business for management.
Meanwhile, Elias Pettersson carries the “Burden of a Franchise.” After a season where his play didn’t consistently reach the dominant level everyone knows he’s capable of, the question is how to get him back there. One intriguing storyline is whether a gritty, agitating winger like Evander Kane could be the key to his rejuvenation, creating space and retrieving pucks. The other, more long-term solution could be the aforementioned Lekkerimäki, whose goal-scoring prowess could make him the finisher Pettersson has been searching for. Getting the superstar center back to his Hart Trophy-candidate form is paramount to any hope of contending in the West.
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This training camp is a crossroads. It’s a chance for redemption after a season of disappointment. It’s an opportunity for a new wave of talent to prove they belong. It’s a high-stakes battleground where careers can be made and futures decided. The answers to these pressing questions—from the bottom of the roster to the very top—will be revealed over the next few weeks, laying the foundation for a season that will define the direction of the Canucks for years to come.
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