This Canucks youngster is WAY BETTER than we imagined….

All right, so as I’ve said in most of these videos, it’s just preseason, so we’re not going to get too ahead of ourselves here. However, in the Vancouver Conucks season finale of preseason 202526, they continue on with the trend of showing us promising things that we can hope to expect in the regular season, which starts up in a week from now. They take down a full Oiler squad, and there a couple of notes that I have ahead of this one. That looks solid, and just like his old self, if he can stay healthy, I think he’s poised for a very good season. Connor Garland really showed off what he can do in tight corners. Got himself the game-winning goal today. But overall, he was just a key contributor on so many plays and offensive chances that this team generated throughout the course of the 60 minutes. Also, I don’t know what the management is thinking here, but Baines should not be on this roster. I’m sorry. He was playing in a top six role today with so many opportunities and he didn’t really do anything. And that’s just a common trend of what I’ve seen from him in most of these games. He looked all right against Calgary, but everyone on the team looked good against Calgary. I just don’t think he’s as deserving of a position as a Carlson, Sassin, or Ratu. All three of which didn’t suit up tonight. So, I don’t know what that means, but I’m sure we’ll have our answer very soon. And I hate to knock the player. I think he’s a very good AHL star, but when it comes to the NHL, I just don’t think he can think on that level. So, I don’t think he should make it. Just whatever you do, don’t put Carlson on waiverss. That would be a huge mistake. Speaking of players that should make it though, Jonathan Leer Mackey pots himself two goals tonight and I think he’s got himself a spot after that. I mean, two great shots. He looks a lot better with the puck and he’s just looked better and better as each game has gone on. I didn’t think he’d be able to top off that third period he had against the Oilers last game, but he did with a full 60-minute effort tonight. If it were up to me and I was deciding the Lions, I would move up Leer Maki into Bane’s spot tonight. cut Baines and then put Assassin or Carlson into Lecher Makiy’s old spot on that bottom six. Let me know if you agree with that or not. But with that, let’s jump into tonight’s game recap. Both teams were getting some chances early on. Demco was looking sharp. The Canucks had themselves a power play. Good movement here in passing leads to Besser over to Kane. The pass though was a little bit off otherwise Kane would have had a clear shot. He still spins and gets this one on goal though, so good effort there. But in the dying seconds of the period, it’s the second power play that goes to work. Braden Coots plays it over to Jonathan Leer Maki and he wires it past Calvin Picker to make it one- nothing for Vancouver. As the first period comes to a close, the Oil turn it up in the second period. Mjapani gets robbed by Demco here with a nice stretched out save. But then after that, it’s Thomas over to Kain and he leans into the shot that beats Demco and ties the game up at one a piece. Later, Oilers to the power play. It’s Booard with a nice shot. Gets saved by Demco, but then he can’t get to the rebound where Dry settles there in his usual spot to bury it. Gives the Oilers the lead and they have a chance to go up 3-1 here, but it’s a great save from Demco on Trent Frederick. The score stays 2 to1 as we head to the third period of play. I forgot to mention De Brusk. He was flying in this game. Almost had himself a good chance created here on this rush. Overall though, I was really pleased with how the Vancouver Conucks responded in this third period after a pretty Oiler dominated second period. They had a lot more chances created in the third and they were just knocking at the door. A couple of good chances here from Okconor and Heronic. And then on this power play here, Garland walks in, protects the puck really well, plays it over to Quinn Hughes. Quinn Hughes finds Jonathan Leeraki and he just rips it by Pickard. Beats him shortside this time and ties the game up at two apiece. Then later, Matt Seavoy, I like this prospect. He’s very fast. Beats out the Canuck defender. goes in on a breakaway, but he can’t get it by Thatcher Demco. The Canucks then get a fouron-3 power play. They had a five-on-ree, but then Kane took a penalty. Four-on-ree power play. Shot here from Besser, gets stopped. De Brusk on the doorstep, gets stopped by Pickard. Keeps the game tied and we need overtime to solve this one. And in that overtime, the Canucks held the possession for the entirety of it. Garland receives the puck and then moves in on this rush. Goes through all three Oiler players and then slides it by Picker to give the Conucks the win as they take it by a final score of 3 to2. Again, I’ll say it once more. It’s just preeason. We don’t have to get too excited, but it’s nice to see the young players coming up and showing that they’re developing well under this system. I really like Adam Foot’s tactics along with his assistance. They’re really creating a lot more chances than we were last year. It’s looking pretty good. Next time it’s for real though, Thursday against the Calgary Flames, the home opener. It’s going to be a fun game. I’m really excited for it. In the comments for question of the day, you tell me who do you think should have a spot out of Assassin, Gaines, Carlson, Ratu, Leeraki, and Coots. You can pick four of the six players I just listed. Two of them have to get cut. I did the math. And yeah, that’s all for me in this video. Thank you for watching. Subscribe if you’re new. Peace out and take care.

The Vancouver Canucks just beat the Edmonton Oilers 3-2 in overtime. Jonathan Lekkerimaki with 2 goals, Cootes with an assist. Conor Garland with the OT winner as the Canucks prepare for the regular season to get underway next week against the Calgary Flames.

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44 comments

  1. Copying TSN whom ever watched it after game on the hockey segment 😅….Jamine McLennan said 25-26 season hot take …"Demko wins the Vezina trophy and the Canucks make the playoffs" I second that hot take 😅😅😅

  2. Lekk on the second line with Kane & Chytil, Garland runs the 3rd line with Sass on & Raty, stable fourth line of DOC Blueger Sherwood. Karlsson and POJ in the press box.

  3. I like the Cootes Lekkerimäki combo, there is chemistry there. I think youth on your 3rd Line could be really useful and would help the Team for the future IMHO.

  4. I think Bains can be a good fourth liner, it’s good they waived aman. I’d keep Bains around between Abby and Van. He’s actually better this year than he was last year and still getting better, definitely wouldn’t waive him.

  5. Bains stays, he was fine. He will not clear wavers if sent down. Sasson does not need wavers. So he will be sent down.
    Bains, Raty, Karlsson and Laki will stay.

  9. Agree on Bains – he just can't seem to get his game to translate to NHL level for some reason, which is odd as he seems to have all the tools. Karlson just hasn't shown me enough either this preseason, i was super high on him coming in after the cup run in abbo but he has looked a step below as well. I'd go with Lekk, Cootes, Sasson for the speed and skill factors that this team is pretty lacking. Raty seems like a no brainer too, tho he doesn't have the legs he's got a nice shot, good IQ and his faceoff and D game make him a obvs candidate for a bottom 6 role.

  12. Yes…Bains needs another year down in. Lakkermaki and Cootes have been great..but, again I agree DeanerHD, yes only pre so let's wait til Thursday 9th when the power from all comes on…🏒👍

  13. The whole team looks better and faster than last year. The whole team.
    I also agree. Bains doesnt belong on this team.
    Raty, Lekkermaki, and Cootes my top 3. And for 4th im going with Sasson.

  18. Agree 100%. Ratu is already on the team because of face off ability and PK. If there is one spot left (Hoglander's spot). It's Lekki first, then the Max-Assasin then Linus. Can Cootes be brought back in the postseason? That would be as good as a trade I feel. Banes is not even in the conversation. For the first time the Canucks have a exciting farm system and it's good to see. BTW I see many variations on nicknames below, but mine are the best right?

  19. DeBrusk / Pettersson / Boeser
    Kane / Chytil / Lekkerimäki
    Ráty / Bluegar / Garland
    O’Connor / Cootes (9 gms) / Sherwood
    Karlson, Bains

    Hughes / Hronek
    MPettersson / Myers
    DPettey / Forbort
    Mancini

    Demko
    Lankinen

  20. Opening night roster

    Boeser PETEY. Kane
    Garland. Chytil. Debrusk
    Lekki. Raty. Cootes
    O Connor. Bleuger. Sherwood

    Defenceman

    Hughes hronek
    Myers m petterson
    E PETEY Mancini

  23. I feel like Ratu, Sasson, Cootes, Lekkerimaki should make the roster because we need that forward depth. If not Sasson they could put in Karlson but Bains shouldn’t make the roster but he is a good player and should be replaced with another player when injured.

  24. Lekki, Sasson, Raty , Baines . ( I think it is best for Cootes to stay in junior for another season because I don't want him to get injured or ride a bench or lose his confidence. But he has earned a spot . And I think Baines outplayed Karlsson though neither of them did quite enough ,so pick your poison.

  27. DeBrusk-Petterson-Boeser
    Garland-Chytil-Lekkerimaki
    Kane-Blueger-Sherwood
    Karlsson-Raty-O’Connor
    Hughes-Hronek
    Myers-MP29
    EP25-Mancini
    Just my initial idea (I know some players don’t shoot where I put them I’m doing this quickly at work)

  29. Decision who to keep is easy. You send down the two guys who are waiver exempt, Cootes and Lekkeremaki. They both had a great preseason, but strictly as an asset management decision, you can't give up on Bains, Sasson, Karlsson or Raty. They're all young and deserve a good look in the NHL before we make a decision to depart off their contracts. Let's see what the kids that just won the Calder cup can do in the NHL.

    By the 5th game we are destined to have a few injuries. Depth is never a bad thing, in 2 weeks Lekkeremaki can be back up with the big club and be exempt from any future call ups. With the new AHL rules, I think Cootes is eligible to play in Abbotsfords if management thinks they need that extra depth and they're willing to burn that 1st year…

  31. Send down Sasson for now. His and Bains' only great game was against a Flames team that had goalies like Cooley in net. He's still exempt from waivers for another year which is also why Kudryavtsev and others got sent down and with them not having enough roster room because of the Myers NMC. They can call him up for 4th line minutes when an injury occurs. Keep Cootes for at least 9 NHL games, Lekkerimaki, and Pettersson out of the prospects. Willander could use a full season of 1st line AHL time and a handful of NHL games before possibly taking over one of the roster spots. I hope some guys out of Klimovich, Labate, Stillman, Woo, Ravinskis, Alriksson, and Kravtsov get a cup of coffee this season with how they've looked so far. Not expecting any of them to be NHL regulars, but I would still like to see them get at least a few games in 2025-2026. I'm hoping for Kravtsov and Klimovich in particular to pop off offensively in Abbotsford. I'm surprised they haven't traded Patera for another AHL forward yet. As for Machini and Bains, it should realistically be Bains going down, but they don't have room for more D's at the moment. Not only that, but he's waiver exempt, unlike Bains. They can send him down and give him, Kudryavtsev, and Willander top ice time, especially with the D injuries down there. Then, maybe waive him adn possibly Joseph later on for guys like them, in order to make room, but keep him as a 7th D for now and so guys in the AHL, such as Kudryavtsev and Willander, don't get their ice time stolen from another veteran like Joseph. I love Bains as an AHL star and he could be in our organization long-term as an Abbotsford star and an odd call up like guys in Hershey, but he isn't an NHL caliber player, at least not any time soon. If we lose him to another team then it isn't a big deal. He doesn't have the attributes to play on the 4th line so he has to be a top 6 guy like Lekkerimaki or else it won't work out and he hasn't been that whatsoever. Karlsson gets saved as the #13 forward and possibly the #12 until Hoglander returns, if Cootes leaves after 9 NHL games, because of having one extra roster spot, but I highly doubt he would get claimed either.

  33. It's never a bad idea to give a young player another year of seasoning. The only reason I'd keep Cootes up is if the Canucks were bona fide Stanley Cup contenders and he provided the secondary scoring and 2 way game that they needed. We've seen way too many players, especially in Vancouver, get rushed to the NHL level for a myriad of reasons and it either hurts or destroys their development. Sure, Cootes is one of the 12 best forwards in preseason. But we're not looking for a 1st round pick to top out at 3rd line centre. He should have top 6 upside and I'd rather focus on developing him for a 2nd line centre role in the future than rush him up in a season where at best they're a 1st round exit in the playoffs, whether he's earned it or not. And if he's frustrated, good. Maybe he'll go back to Seattle with a chip on his shoulder and tear it up. Then by next training camp, he'll have something to prove.

  34. I'd say "as good as we imagined". he's always been regarded as a goal-scoring NHL prospect. it's not unexpected, just good that it's going well for him.

  38. I think Arsh is getting there, but I didn't even know he was playing until later in the game. He was just invisible. Between Sasson, Karlsson and Lekkerimäki (thank you for not calling him LEKKER Macki or Mocky) I think Sasson looks the most like he belongs with the big boys (he just seems to have more presence throughout a game), but Jonathan looks great on the PP with that wicked shot.

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