As the calendar officially flips to August, we're in the last month without any hockey before the NHL returns. That said, there are only 59 days until the Vancouver Canucks are back on the ice and hopefully have a bounce-back season in 2026-27.
Regarding opening night, set for Sept. 29 in Edmonton against the Oilers, what could the potential roster look like for Game 1 under head coach Manny Malhotra? The Canucks brought in four new players, as the team looks to begin a much-needed rebuild. Will there be much of a shakeup compared to the 2025-26 team?
Forward Thinking
When it comes to the forward core, there are some newer faces to join a group that was bottom five in the league in scoring last season. The Canucks added Paul Cotter and Brendan Gallagher from the New Jersey Devils and the Montreal Canadiens. While that might not move the needle too far ahead, adding their skill sets and work ethic might bring some new energy to the group.
Here is what the forward group might look like for Game 1 of the 84-game season:
LW | C | RW |
|---|---|---|
Liam Ohgren | Marco Rossi | Brock Boeser |
Jake DeBrusk | Elias Pettersson | Brendan Gallagher |
Filip Chytil | Aatu Räty | Jonathan Lekkerimäki |
Drew O’Connor | Paul Cotter | Linus Karlsson |
Max Sasson |
When it comes to the top six, there is a case to flip either line depending on where things stand heading into opening night. Furthermore, it could also depend on the matchup as well. That said, it's been tough to see Elias Pettersson as the first-line center with how production has dropped since he signed his eight-year, $11.6 million annual average value (AAV) deal. While yes, he did lead the Canucks in points (51), it was only two more than Filip Hronek, who's a defenseman, and three ahead of Brock Boeser.
In terms of who had the most goals and assists, Jake DeBrusk led in goals (23), while Hronek led in assists (41). If Pettersson wants to be considered more of a first-line center, he needs to have almost 80 points, not 51. Granted, the Canucks as a whole had a tough 2025-26 season, but to be considered one of the leaders, he needs to show he was worth that contract.
That said, after joining the Canucks via the Quinn Hughes trade from the Minnesota Wild on Dec. 12, 2025, Marco Rossi had eight goals and 22 points in 33 games. For the most part last season, Rossi showed that he has what it takes to be a first-line center. Given the fact that Pettersson makes $11.6 million compared to his $5 million, there could be an incentive to start the former on the top line.
However, if the trajectory continues going up as it has been for Rossi, he has a solid chance to make a case to be the top guy. That said, putting Pettersson with his linemate DeBrusk and newcomer Gallagher, could maybe help give some drive back into the Canucks most-paid guy.
Another guy that the Canucks hope to take a jump this upcoming season is Aatu Räty. He was 60.5% at the faceoff dot last season, which is much needed on the Canucks. Plus, he should get more ice time this season to see what the Canucks have in a guy who was lighting it up with the Abbotsford Canucks in the American Hockey League (AHL).
Defending the House
As we move on to the defense, there is a sense that acquiring Jamie Oleksiak and Luke Schenn could be a couple of sneaky additions for the Canucks heading into the 2026-27 season. Oleksiak is 6'7 and 252 pounds; he is a massive shadow who could somether oppoents in the defensive end. Furthermore, he could be the security blanket to help open up Tom Willander on the offensive side of things.
In terms of Schenn, he, alongside Elias Pettersson (not to be mistaken for the forward version), could be an underrated shutdown pair that Malhotra really needs this season. When it comes to blocks and hits, both guys finished last season with 85 & 136 (Pettersson) and 57 & 140 (Schenn).
Here is what the overall defensive core and goalie could look like:
LD | RD | G |
|---|---|---|
Zeev Buium | Filip Hronek | Thatcher Demko |
Jamie Oleksiak | Tom Willander | Kevin Lankinen |
Elias Pettersson | Luke Schenn | |
Victor Mancini |
While we know of the potential between the second and third pairings, there is no denying that Zeev Buium and Hronek will be the pairing to watch in 2026-27 on the blueline. That pairing last season played 373:44 of ice time together at five-on-five. Buium had three goals and 12 points in 44 games, while Hronek led the team in assists and was only second in points. Expect them to log a huge number of minutes once again this season.
For the goalies, that doesn't change with Thatcher Demko and Kevin Lankinen. The only thing, once again, is if Demko can stay healthy. His new three-year, $8.5 million AAV contract just kicked in, which also includes a full no-move clause. If the Canucks want to do anything this season, Demko needs to be in the crease more than he has been over the last couple of years.
While we are 59 days from the start of the 2026-27 season, anything can happen to the roster, especially with the Canucks having $17.814 million in cap space. Could this be the final roster and the line? Maybe, but only time will tell on that front. What matters is that the Canucks take a step up from last season's woes.
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