I am a Canucks fan and am always hoping for the best but this year has been cursed since the puck drop to begin the season. I mean in the first month alone we had Demko and his knee out, Dak with cancer, EP40 and Miller clashing and Miller taking 10 games off, Forborts dad dying, etc. While the Canucks did hang on (due to Hughes and Lank), I believe it has been too much and lately with Demko out (again) and Hughes banged up and missing 14 games (so far). I am tired of watching defensive hockey and "trying" to make the playoffs. I am almost done with this year and looking at 2025/2026 NHL season. I believe the Canucks will rebound and am interested in their upcoming off season. I hope if Hughes is shut down they can get a pick in the 10-13 range.
First, the Canucks are not going anywhere without EP40 regaining his elite form. I do believe he has played better since he took "ownership" of his play. I have not looked at his data but believe he has been quicker and more involved and has even potted a couple of goals along with a few hit posts. He is elite defensively and I believe his off season training will dictate either he regains his form or becomes a liability like Huberdeau. I am willing to bet he regains his form.
I also know and understand people are down on Demko (and maybe management as well), and he could possibly be gone by next season. I cannot fathom how Demko feels as he has always been a fierce competitor and when healthy is one of the top goalies in the entire NHL. I like Lanks but he is not in the same tier as Demko. Yes, it is possible that Demko is trade bait but I would hesitate and if Demko is healthy to begin the next season, I would go with both and play it out.
Canucks look to be set on defense next year and with Willander, Mynio and Kuds coming up, look decent. With these young players coming up, it may be that the Canucks change their style as they will be less heavy and have more speed and puck moving ability back there.
The forward group is going to need some work though as we need more offense. Lekk's is still young and unproven , albeit has some high end talent. He is the only one I can forsee with some high end talent. I think the Canucks will draft a center this year with their first rounder who is offensive minded (I hope anyways) but that player will be years away. So, the Canucks will have to be aggressive in FA and hope they hit with a player and not get another Loui.
As I have it, next year can look like this.
Debrusk-EP40-Lekks
O'Conn-Chytil-x
Joshua-x-Garland
Hoglander-Blueger-Sherwood
(moved on from Boeser and Suter possibly) maybe an Ehlers or Bennett or a trade piece. I know off-season we will have new players but with all of our cap money (Boeser not returning), I would like to see some offensive players inserted and be a dynamic attacing team off the rush. The backend has some puckmoving ability.
Willander-Hughes
Hronek-E. Pettersson
Myers-M. Pettersson
Mancini (Juulsen in Abby)
Demko and Lank
First, the Canucks are not going anywhere without EP40 regaining his elite form. I do believe he has played better since he took "ownership" of his play. I have not looked at his data but believe he has been quicker and more involved and has even potted a couple of goals along with a few hit posts. He is elite defensively and I believe his off season training will dictate either he regains his form or becomes a liability like Huberdeau. I am willing to bet he regains his form.
I also know and understand people are down on Demko (and maybe management as well), and he could possibly be gone by next season. I cannot fathom how Demko feels as he has always been a fierce competitor and when healthy is one of the top goalies in the entire NHL. I like Lanks but he is not in the same tier as Demko. Yes, it is possible that Demko is trade bait but I would hesitate and if Demko is healthy to begin the next season, I would go with both and play it out.
Canucks look to be set on defense next year and with Willander, Mynio and Kuds coming up, look decent. With these young players coming up, it may be that the Canucks change their style as they will be less heavy and have more speed and puck moving ability back there.
The forward group is going to need some work though as we need more offense. Lekk's is still young and unproven , albeit has some high end talent. He is the only one I can forsee with some high end talent. I think the Canucks will draft a center this year with their first rounder who is offensive minded (I hope anyways) but that player will be years away. So, the Canucks will have to be aggressive in FA and hope they hit with a player and not get another Loui.
As I have it, next year can look like this.
Debrusk-EP40-Lekks
O'Conn-Chytil-x
Joshua-x-Garland
Hoglander-Blueger-Sherwood
(moved on from Boeser and Suter possibly) maybe an Ehlers or Bennett or a trade piece. I know off-season we will have new players but with all of our cap money (Boeser not returning), I would like to see some offensive players inserted and be a dynamic attacing team off the rush. The backend has some puckmoving ability.
Willander-Hughes
Hronek-E. Pettersson
Myers-M. Pettersson
Mancini (Juulsen in Abby)
Demko and Lank
