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2026-27 season preview: Vancouver Canucks

Photo credit: Simon Fearn-Imagn Images

By Cynthia Ryley Delaney

Sep 30, 2026, 19:00 EDTUpdated: Sep 30, 2026, 17:55 EDT

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The Vancouver Canucks kicked off their 2026-27 season with a 6-5 overtime victory over the Edmonton Oilers.

After finishing with the fewest points in the National Hockey League last season, the same is expected of the Canucks yet again. Like the Calgary Flames, they’re a rebuilding team looking to accumulate young talent for their upcoming window of contention.

That being said, let’s take a look at what the Canucks did this past off-season

Who departed the Canucks this past off-season

Starting with their departures, the most notable of the bunch was Nils Höglander, who was traded to the Nashville Predators for a 2029 third-rounder. Back in 2023-24, the Swede scored a career-high 24 goals and 36 points in 80 games, helping the Canucks finish first in the Pacific Division.

Before the 2025 trade deadline, the Canucks sent the New York Rangers 2025 first to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Marcus Pettersson. Well, Pettersson has now found his way to the Rangers for a 2030 first round pick.

Sticking with Original Six teams and former Canucks, Teddy Blueger signed a deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Additionally, the Seattle Kraken signed Curtis Douglas, who could be in the lineup when the Flames play the Kraken in their series opener on Thursday.

There are two notable unrestricted free agents who played for the Canucks last season, Evander Kane and Derek Forbort. Last season, Kane scored 13 goals and 31 points in 71 games after missing the entirety of the 2024-25 regular season with the Oilers.

Who’d the Canucks bring in

With a young group, the Canucks targeted veterans for some leadership. Defenceman Luke Schenn joins the team for a second stint, signing a one-year deal worth $2.25 million. The right-shot defenceman played for the team in 2021-22 and 2022-23.

Also on the blue line, the Canucks brought in Jamie Oleksiak, as the two parties agreed to a two-year deal that carries an annual cap hit of $5 million. These two leaders will help Zeev Buium develop, as the left-shot defenceman signed an eight-year extension with an annual cap hit of $9.38 million. That starts next season.

Their most notable trade this off-season saw the Canucks bring in Brendan Gallagher. After a decade and a half with the Montréal Canadiens, the B.C. product joins the team after playing his junior career with the Western Hockey League’s Vancouver Giants.

On the coaching side of things, the Canucks hired former player Manny Malhotra as their head coach. Malhotra spent three seasons with the Canucks from 2010-11 until 2012-13, helping the team reach the Stanley Cup Finals in 2011. He’s been with the organization since his retirement in 2015-16.

Funnily enough, his son Caleb, was selected third overall by the Canucks in the 2026 NHL Draft. Last season with the Ontario Hockey League’s Brantford Bulldogs, he scored 29 goals and 84 points, with 13 goals and 26 points in 15 playoff games. He won’t be on the Canucks’ roster this season, as he’ll play for Boston University.

Paul Cotter is a bottom six player who helped the Canucks defeat the Oilers on Tuesday, scoring twice, including the overtime winner. Akil Thomas and Trey Fix-Wolansky are two other depth signings they brought in.

Cynthia Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for DFO Calgary, DFO Edmonton, and Blue Jays Nation. She can be followed on Twitter @CynthiaRDelaney.

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