Vancouvers’ Offseason Outlook

Posted on by

With the Canucks not making the playoffs, it’s time we shift our focus to the offseason. Usually, when teams miss the playoffs, there’s a lot that needs to get fixed. You could argue that’s the case with the Canucks, but I don’t think there’s a need for a complete overhaul. Don’t forget, this team has Quinn Hughes, who is the best defenceman in the league, and he’s only 25. Elias Pettersson is only 26. These are two elite pieces. Yeah, missing the playoffs this season sucks, but it could be so much worse. That being said, there still need to be a couple of things figured out.

The trade deadline was a colossal failure. There’s no way to sugarcoat it. The Canucks were in a weird spot at the deadline because, at the time, they were still playoff hopefuls. They shipped Carson Soucy to the New York Rangers for a third-round pick. But the big fish was Brock Boeser. He’s a UFA, and the team hasn’t agreed to a contract extension with him. Boeser is a proven goal scorer and playoff performer, so you would think the Canucks would trade him and get a solid return back for him. Right? … They didn’t. And in case you forgot, this is what general manager Patrick Allvin said about the offers he was receiving for Boeser:

“If I told you what I was offered for Brock Boeser, I think I would have to run out of here because you would not believe me.”

So according to Allvin, we weren’t getting anything good for a player who scored 40 goals last year. The worst part is, the Canucks still haven’t signed Boeser to an extension—and it isn’t looking like they will. Boeser was recently asked about his future in Vancouver and getting an extension done. His response was something no Canucks fan wanted to hear:

“Honestly, it’s unlikely at this point, It sucks, it’s unfortunate. I’m just trying to play good hockey, and then I’ll worry about everything after that. We all know it’s been a roller coaster of a year. There’s been a lot of different things.”

So after all that, it looks like we’re going to lose him for nothing. Awesome…

Here’s the thing—there are some big-time wingers the Canucks can acquire in free agency. Someone I think the Canucks should try to sign is Nikolaj Ehlers. Ehlers might be the perfect Boeser replacement and be a slight bit cheaper.

The Canucks still have another hole to fill, and that’s the second-line center. Pius Suter played incredibly well, but unfortunately, I think he may have priced himself out of Vancouver. Filip Chytil played well before he got injured, but I think he is better suited for the third line. Now hear me out, this might sound crazy. What about Trevor Zegras? But only if they buy low on him. Zegras was taken ninth overall in 2019 and hasn’t quite lived up to the hype. You know how flashy he is, and he has the skill. Next year will be the final year of his contract, and he is only making $5.75 million. I think the Canucks should at the very least kick tires on Zegras, and if the asking price isn’t that high, I would be happy trading for him.

Now the goaltending dilemma. I don’t think the Canucks want to have $9.5 million wrapped up in goaltending. Or do they? Thatcher Demko’s health is the ultimate question mark. In 2024, when he was healthy, he was the Vezina Trophy runner-up. But the thing is, he’s never healthy. Kevin Lankinen was solid this year, and the Canucks made a long-term commitment to him, inking him to a five-year deal. Demko is a UFA after next season. Do the Canucks run the duo of Demko and Lankinen for next season? Or do they move Demko in the offseason because his health is too big of a question mark? Honestly, I think it’s a total 50/50. If they get an offer they can’t refuse, I think they will move Demko at that point.

To me, those are the Canucks’ biggest issues heading into the offseason. What do you think they need to do? Let me know in the comments below.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *