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The Vancouver Canucks are entering a new era with a rebuilt front office, a new coaching staff, and a clear shift in how the organization measures progress. After finishing last in the NHL standings with a 25-49-8 record, the Canucks have embraced a full rebuild. For rookie head coach Manny Malhotra, success this season goes well beyond the scoreboard.
“There’s a difference between losing games and playing losing hockey,” Malhotra said at training camp in Penticton, B.C. He pointed to factors like system execution, puck battles, and competitive intensity as the true benchmarks. “When all those things come together and you become a team that’s hard to play against, for me, that’s winning.”
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Despite that philosophy, Malhotra made clear the team will compete hard when they open the season against the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday. Defenceman Zeev Buium agreed. “Everyone’s competitive here,” Buium said. “Everybody wants to win every game.”
A Season of Losses Triggers Major Changes
Last season unravelled quickly for Vancouver. Early injuries forced the team to trade captain and star defenceman Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild. In return, the Canucks received Buium, forwards Marco Rossi and Liam Ohgren, and a first-round draft pick. The losses continued to mount from there.
After the season ended with a 6-1 defeat to Edmonton, general manager Patrik Allvin lost his job. President of hockey operations Jim Rutherford stepped down weeks later. Ownership then turned to franchise icons Daniel and Henrik Sedin, appointing them co-presidents of hockey operations. Their former teammate Ryan Johnson moved up from GM of the AHL affiliate Abbotsford Canucks to lead the NHL club.
Johnson and the Sedins wasted no time reshaping the team. They dismissed head coach Adam Foote after just one season. Malhotra, another former Canuck who led Abbotsford to a championship in 2025, took over behind the bench. Johnson also added experienced NHL veterans, including former Montreal Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher and defenceman Luke Schenn, to help mentor the team’s younger players.
Players Embrace the New Direction
The changes have generated genuine optimism inside the dressing room. Marco Rossi described a fresh and energetic atmosphere at camp. “I think we’re a really hungry group this year,” he said. “Last year was last year. We are all really excited, we have a good energy in our group.”
Goalie Kevin Lankinen echoed that sentiment. “A lot of positive vibes, positive energy around the group, around the whole organization,” he said. Lankinen also praised Malhotra’s approach. “Manny is super intense, but at the same time, he’s really fair.”
Scoring remains a concern, however. Elias Pettersson posted 15 goals and 51 points last season, while Brock Boeser added 22 goals and 48 points, and Jake DeBrusk contributed 23 goals and 42 points. The Canucks will need those players to elevate their games. Still, Pettersson sounded cautiously confident. “I think with the good coaching we have now and the standards we’re trying to build, we’ll see what happens,” he said.
Demko’s Return Remains Uncertain
One significant question mark heading into the season is goaltender Thatcher Demko. The 30-year-old American starter appeared in just 20 games last season before undergoing hip surgery in late January. He finished with an 8-10-1 record, a 2.90 goals-against average, and a .897 save percentage.
Demko attended training camp but did not skate with the main group. Johnson confirmed the organization has no set timeline for his return. Meanwhile, Lankinen figures to carry the load in net early in the season.
Buium Signs Long-Term Deal
One of the brightest developments this summer involved Buium. The 20-year-old defenceman from San Diego, California, signed an eight-year contract extension worth US$75 million. Last season, he combined for six goals and 26 points between Vancouver and Minnesota.
Buium acknowledged the responsibility that comes with the contract. “It’s obviously going to be a process — there’s going to be highs, there’s going to be lows,” he said. “I just want to do the best I can and help bring this place to where we want to go.”
The Canucks open their season in Edmonton on Tuesday. Few expect Vancouver to climb the standings dramatically this year. However, with a new leadership group, a hungry roster, and a clearer long-term vision, the organization appears focused on building something sustainable for the future.
