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‘We know the team we have and what people are saying about us. If we play the way we can, there’s no doubt we’re a playoff team.’ — Canucks defenceman Tyler Myers
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Published Oct 08, 2025 • Last updated 4 hours ago • 4 minute read
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Impressive 2025 first-round draft choice Braeden Cootes is one reason the hype meter is high as the Vancouver Canucks prepared to open play Thursday. Photo by Jeff Vinnick /Jeff Vinnick/Vancouver CanucksArticle content
The question is simple. The answer is complex.
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Is this younger, better and happier version of the Vancouver Canucks an NHL playoff team? Optimism is bubbling but remaining healthy, finding more offence, and spending less time in their own zone with an uptempo attack directed by new head coach Adam Foote are hurdles.
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Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin believes the competitive glass is half-full, and that the time is right for a blend of veteran savvy and youthful exuberance on the league’s seventh-youngest team to make an impression. But can it advance to the post-season?
“I believe in the team we have here,” responded Allvin. “We all know the parity of the league, but we’re excited about the group and how they’ve bought in to how we want to play. I give them a lot of credit. It’s a good mix and it was a very inspiring training camp.”
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Evaluation starts Thursday against the Calgary Flames at Rogers Arena. However, the first real test of will and skill in a condensed schedule are the first 10 games. After a pair of home dates, a five-game eastern road trip crammed into eight days opens with back-to-back challenges. Then just one day off before games on successive nights at home.
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It’s daunting, but so was the constant noise that grew louder last season.
From dressing-room drama in a disconnect between Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller, too many injuries, a league-high 14 overtime losses, a paltry 17-16-8 presence on home ice and expected free-agent departure of frustrated Brock Boeser amid management messaging, whatever could go wrong did. At least Boeser would stay put.
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Quinn Hughes gets up slowly after colliding with Andre Burakovsky while trying to stop a Kraken goal on March 1 in Seattle. The Canucks lost 6-3. It was that kind of a season. Photo by Steph Chambers /Getty Images
“I had a lot on my mind last year,” Canucks captain Quinn Hughes told Postmedia News. “I have freed myself up from that and that will really help me.”
Amid all that unrest, the Canucks were seven points shy of squeezing into the final Western Conference wild-card position last spring. This season, pundits either have them finishing third in the Pacific Division behind the Edmonton Oilers and the Vegas Golden Knights, or missing the post-season for the ninth time in the last 11 years.
The opposing views are understandable.
Is Pettersson going to bounce back from just 15 goals last season and can the Canucks trade for a true second-line centre? They had the 23rd-ranked offence last season at just 2.84 goals per outing, despite career years by Jake DeBrusk (28), Pius Suter (25) and Kiefer Sherwood (19). And a power play that looked good on paper was 15th at 22.5 per cent.
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The penalty kill was a special-teams sensation at 86.2 per cent to place third. However, top-pair killer Suter went to the St. Louis Blues in free agency and his partner, Teddy Blueger, is out with a suspected knee injury. Dakota Joshua was traded to the Toronto Maple and also had a PK presence here.
How impressive rookie centre Braeden Cootes, 18, and hotshot winger Jonathan Lekkerimaki, 21, handle the heat will determine how long heir line remains intact. They have a veteran winger in Evander Kane to provide push, space and an edge. As for Cootes, the trial-by-fire will determine his deployment.
“We’re always going to look at matchups, but we’re not going to get stuck on it if we don’t control it,” cautioned Foote. “He’s proved he can defend with his mind and body and isn’t afraid to get physical. We’ll keep an eye on it.”
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Towering Canucks defenceman Tyler Myers knows the scrutiny that comes with a first-round draft selection. He was picked 12th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in 2008, but returned to Kelowna of the WHL the following season to grow his game. The Rockets captured the league title and he was named MVP of that post-season.
Adam Foote instructs Vancouver defenceman Tyler Myers last season. Foote is the Canucks’ new bench boss, and offence is the focus. Photo by Arlen Redekop /PNG
Myers used it as a springboard to the NHL the following fall. His first assist, goal and shootout winner came in the first eight games during his Calder Cup Trophy campaign of 48 points (11-37). He leaned on veteran blueliners to show him the way and believes Cootes is well-equipped to do the same.
“It’s the same game he’s played his whole life,” reasoned Myers. “Enjoy it. Take it all in. He’s been playing great and is further along than I was in my first kick at the can. I’ve been really impressed with his last few weeks here.”
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With added excitement of a rookie who might stick, the question still beckons. Is this a playoff team?
“We’d like to think that way and we’re working to do that,” offered Foote. “It’s starts now with what we do every day. Sacrifice and belief are the only things we can control, and if we do that every day, we’re going to be in a good spot.
“You’re going to have blips. You’re playing against good teams and sometimes it’s what they’re doing to you and your reaction. We didn’t have the lead a couple of times and were able to stay calm. I know it was just the pre-season, but that was a good start. Not going rogue and staying in it together.”
Maybe Myers put it best about expectations this crucial season.
“Things are going to go south and we’ll be tested, but there’s no doubt in my mind we’ll come together,” he stressed. “We know the team we have and what people are saying about us. If we play the way we can, there’s no doubt we’re a playoff team.”
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