The air is getting crisp, training camps are on the horizon, and in Vancouver, the perennial question hangs in the air like a coastal fog: are the Canucks a playoff team? After a frantic offseason of trades, signings, and tough decisions, General Manager Patrik Allvin has reshaped his forward group. The result is a fascinating mix of high-risk, high-reward veterans, burgeoning young talent, and a core that desperately needs to find another gear. Let’s break down the state of the Canucks’ forwards heading into the 2025-26 campaign and see if this new-look roster has what it takes to compete in a tough Pacific Division.
The Ultimate Wild Card
You can’t talk about the Canucks’ offseason without starting with the biggest, most controversial splash they made: the acquisition of Evander Kane. Snatched from the division-rival Edmonton Oilers just before the draft, Kane represents the ultimate wild card. At 34, he’s not the dominant force he once was, but the man is a proven goal-scorer. He’s hit the 20-goal mark a staggering nine times in his career, and his blend of skill and sandpaper is something Vancouver has sorely lacked.
The thinking here is clear. Adam Foote needs a player who can create space for Elias Pettersson and take some of the physical heat off his superstar center. Kane, for all his baggage, is notoriously tough to play against. He’s a wrecking ball on the forecheck and has the hands to finish in tight. The projected first line of Kane-Pettersson-Boeser is, on paper, a formidable unit. It gives Pettersson two legitimate scoring threats on his wings, one a pure sniper and the other a power forward who can drive the net. Kane’s presence should, in theory, allow “Petey” to operate with more freedom, knowing he has a bodyguard who can also put the puck in the net. It’s a gamble, but one that could pay massive dividends if Kane stays focused and healthy.
A Hometown “Steal” Keeps a Sniper in Blue and Green
Just as the fanbase was bracing for another summer of trade rumours, Allvin pulled off what might be the most crucial move of the offseason: re-signing Brock Boeser. The seven-year, $7.25 million average annual value (AAV) extension is nothing short of a masterstroke. Had Boeser hit the open market, he easily could have commanded upwards of $9 million per season. Instead, the Canucks lock up their 40-goal scorer for the long term at a price that looks better and better as the salary cap continues to rise.
After years of speculation about his future, securing Boeser solidifies the team’s top-six for the foreseeable future. He’s potted 20-plus goals six times and remains one of the league’s most lethal finishers when he finds his spots. Keeping him in the fold was non-negotiable for a team that finished a dismal 24th in goal scoring last season. His return completely changes the complexion of the offence. Without him, the Canucks would be looking at a significant deficit on the right wing and placing an unfair amount of pressure on their younger prospects. With Boeser locked in, the top line has a legitimate claim to being one of the best in the division.
The Revolving Door: Saying Goodbye and Hello
Of course, to make these moves, sacrifices were necessary. The Canucks lost two key depth pieces in Pius Suter (St. Louis Blues) and Dakota Joshua (Toronto Maple Leafs). The loss of Suter, in particular, “hurts.” He was a reliable, versatile forward who could kill penalties and chip in offensively. However, the organization is banking on Aatu Raty to fill that void.
Raty, 22, showed tremendous growth down the stretch last season, posting seven goals and 11 points in his final 33 games. More importantly, he became a beast in the faceoff circle, winning 57.7% of his draws. He found incredible chemistry on a line with Kiefer Sherwood and the now-departed Joshua, a trio that consistently drove play and out-chanced opponents. The expectation is for Raty to slide into that third-line center role and take on Suter’s penalty-killing duties. It’s a big ask for a young player, but Raty’s development is on a sharp upward trajectory.
Replacing Joshua’s physicality in the bottom six will be a tougher task, though the addition of Kane certainly adds team toughness overall. The internal candidates to fill Joshua’s roster spot are a trio of Calder Cup champions from Abbotsford: Arshdeep Bains, Linus Karlsson, and Max Sasson. All three had productive AHL seasons and are hungry to become full-time NHLers. However, with limited spots and two being waiver-eligible (Bains and Karlsson), it will be a dogfight in training camp to see who sticks. Vitali Kravtsov, who just returned from the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), will also be in the mix, making it one of the big storylines heading into camp.
Rolling Four Lines: How Will Foote Stack ‘Em?
Projecting lines in August is always a bit of a fool’s errand, but based on the current roster, we can make an educated guess at how Foote will deploy his forwards on opening night:
- First Line: Evander Kane – Elias Pettersson – Brock Boeser
- Second Line: Jake DeBrusk – Filip Chytil – Conor Garland
- Third Line: Nils Hoglander – Aatu Raty – Kiefer Sherwood
- Fourth Line: Drew O’Connor – Teddy Blueger – TBD
The top line, as discussed, is built for offence. The second line is a fascinating trio with a high ceiling. The team’s hopes are firmly tied to Filip Chytil staying healthy. If he can finally put his injury troubles behind him, he has the size and skill to be a very effective second-line centre. He’ll be flanked by the tenacious Conor Garland and the versatile Jake DeBrusk.
The third line sees Nils Hoglander and the aforementioned Raty joined by one of the greatest bargain signings in franchise history, Kiefer Sherwood. After signing a two-year deal worth just $1.5 million AAV in July 2024, Sherwood proceeded to set an NHL record with 462 hits while stunning everyone with 19 goals and 40 points. That line has the potential to be a high-energy, puck-possession machine that can wear down opponents. The fourth line provides stability, with reliable veterans Teddy Blueger and Drew O’Connor forming a solid defensive foundation. The final spot will be up for grabs among Kravtsov and the Abbotsford graduates.
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X-Factors and Key Questions
For this team to make the playoffs, a few things absolutely must go right. First and foremost, Elias Pettersson needs to return to his 102-point form. Last season was a step back, and the Canucks’ offence flows directly through him. If he’s a 100-point player, this team can score with anyone. If he’s an 45-point player, they’ll be in trouble.
Second, the health of Chytil is paramount. A healthy Chytil and the emergence of Raty give the Canucks respectable depth down the middle. If Chytil misses significant time again, the centre position becomes a glaring weakness, and Allvin may be forced to hit the trade market. With only $3.27 million in cap space, any significant addition would likely require sending money out, with a player like Blueger ($1.8 million cap hit) being a potential casualty.
The Next Wave: Prospects on the Cusp
Beyond the main roster, the Canucks have some intriguing young talent pushing for spots. Jonathan Lekkerimäki, 21, possesses arguably the best shot in the entire organization. He split time between Vancouver and Abbotsford last season with mixed results, but his destiny is on the power play. Boeser’s re-signing removes the pressure to force him into a top-six role, allowing him to develop at a more natural pace.
The 2025 draft class also brings two promising centers into the fold. First-rounder Braeden Cootes (15th overall) is an 18-year-old with great playmaking instincts and a feisty edge. Third-rounder Kieren Dervin is a versatile two-way centre who scouts believe could be a hidden gem. Add in Ty Mueller, a 22-year-old who was instrumental in Abbotsford’s Calder Cup win, and the future down the middle looks brighter than it has in years.
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The Final Verdict: Are They a Playoff Team?
On paper, this forward group has the potential to be a top-three unit in the Pacific Division. If Pettersson recaptures his elite form, if Kane can chip in 20 goals without being a distraction, and if Boeser continues his 40-goal pace, the top-end scoring will be there. The depth is improved, with Raty looking like a legitimate top-nine centre and Sherwood providing incredible value.
However, the “ifs” are significant. The team is betting on a lot of things to go right, primarily the health of key players and the continued development of its youth. The Pacific Division isn’t getting any easier. While this group is certainly shaping up to be competitive, their playoff fate likely rests on the shoulders of their superstar centre and the health of their top nine. It’s going to be a fascinating season in Vancouver, one that could see them either surprise a lot of people or fall frustratingly short of their goal. The pieces are in place; now it’s time to see if they fit together.
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