Canucks Player Grades: Trade buzz trumps 3-2 OT loss to the Jets

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With the Canucks trying to win for just the seventh time on home ice, the looming trade deadline still stole the spotlight

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Published Feb 25, 2026 • Last updated 3 hours ago • 5 minute read

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Gabriel Vilardi of the Winnipeg Jets celebrates after scoring a goal on Nikita Tolopilo of the Vancouver Canucks during the second period at Rogers Arena on Wednesday night. Photo by Derek Cain /Getty ImagesArticle content

The game within the game was the one that mattered most Wednesday, even with a tough 3-2 home-side loss at Rogers Arena.

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With the Vancouver Canucks committing to a roster rebuild to accumulate draft picks and get younger, they may have a deal to move towering defenceman Tyler Myers. He must first waive his no-movement clause to approve a new destination in his 18th NHL season and the club must come to trade compensation terms.

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Canucks head coach Adam Foote learned Tuesday night that the deal might happen and was told after the morning skate Wednesday that Myers would be taken out for roster protection protocol. However, he did take the warm-up skate in case a blueliner was injured, but Myers could have also risked injury.

“When I talked to Tyler after the morning skate, he was awesome about it and I told him I needed him for warm-up and to be prepared,” said Foote. “Where we were with our roster he was a true pro and a good human. We’ll see that happens (with the trade).”

With unrestricted free agents Evander Kane, Teddy Blueger and David Kampf expected to be traded before the March 6 deadline — and ongoing speculation about the future of Elias Pettersson, Conor Garland and Jake DeBrusk — a clash with the struggling Winnipeg Jets was on the back-burner of interest.

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Even the last possible career visit by three-time Stanley Cup champion Jonathan Toews, who was also a constant Canucks playoff nemesis, wasn’t going to move the interest meter.

That meter would move if the last-place Canucks could muster up enough offence and defensive diligence to win just their seventh game at home. And in a game that often lacked push and pace, or a loud crowd, they found themselves in a 2-2 deadlock in the third period, to bring up the proverbial question:

Would they find another way to lose or a way to win? And if Olympic gold medallist Connor Hellebuyck was playing would they even be in the position? Then again, the penalty kill was a perfect 3-for-3, and Nikita Tolopilo was sharp. So there was final-frame hope.

Nikita Tolopilo and Marcus Pettersson defend against Jonathan Toews of the Winnipeg Jets during the second period Photo by Derek Cain /Getty Images

First it was Kampf’s backhander forcing Eric Comrie to make a toe save. Filip Hronek then clanged the far post with a point wrister. And then Liam Ohgren was denied on a rush down the right flank. And on a power play with 8:25 remaining in regulation, they played on the perimeter and had just one shot.

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And then Conor Garland was denied off an odd-man rush before Blueger had a slot chance in the final minute. The issue was finally settled in overtime after Brock Boeser was a denied and Cole Perfetti scored at 1:31 off a fortunate bounce.

“We got in trouble in the second period with a couple of bad penalties, and we can’t have that against a team like that, but the penalty kill did the job,” said Foote. “I thought we took over in the third and the guys fought hard.”

Drew O’Connor got the opening goal and liked the commitment to defence, something significant for a club that has surrendered the most goals.

“I thought we were pretty solid and Tolopilo made some awesome saves to keep us in it,” said O’Connor. “It’s just sticking with it and not getting too down when they scored. We did a good job responding.”

However, for 15 scouts in attendance — notably two from the Los Angeles Kings, who have been linked to Pettersson interest along with the Detroit Red Wings — it was another chance to get a closer look at the Swedish centre.

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There was little to showcase offensively. Pettersson had no shot attempts, but he did block four shots and won 47 per cent of his draws.

Whether the Canucks move Pettersson before the deadline, wait to make an off-season deal, or keep him in the fold, there’s one aspect of his approach that remains a constant concern: It’s his practice habits. It bugged former Canucks bench boss Rick Tocchet and Foote is also miffed.

The Winter Olympics experience with Sweden was expected to bring out the best compete in Pettersson — and he did have a two-goal game — but that’s all he produced with seven shots in five games. So, he was challenged here upon return to practice.

“He was good the first couple as far as his attitude, but I was pretty hard on him with pace and movement,” admitted Foote. “It’s all about the practice habits. You see some of the best players in the world, they practise hard, and I’m not saying he (Pettersson) does not.

“But it starts in practice whether you’re a shooter, or what your specialty is.”

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If anything, Kane’s trade stock probably went up. He had a sweet release on his goal, four shots and was engaged in the first game after the lengthy Olympic break.

“I don’t know if teams are worried if I can score or not,” laughed Kane. “We took our foot off the gas a little bit in the third and, obviously, overtime is a crap shoot and you want certain guys on the ice. They got a bounce and we didn’t.”

As for the looming trade deadline, Kane isn’t consumed by where he may or may not go.

“You have to focus on what’s in front of you and just go about your day,” he said. “It’s a short window before the deadline and things can happen at the drop of a hat. Guys aren’t naive.”

Evander Kane celebrates with teammates on the bench after scoring a goal against the Winnipeg Jets during the second period Photo by Derek Cain /Getty ImagesREPORT CARDS

Evander Kane (C+)

Crashed into boards on rush, cross-check minor, scored. Four shots.

Elias Pettersson (C)

Won draw on Kane goal, but no zip with good matchups. No shots.

Jake DeBrusk (C-)

Invisible. Early turnover for Perfetti Grade A look. No jump, one shot.

Drew O’Connor (C+)

Takes cross-ice feed from Boeser, puts trickler through Comrie 5-hole.

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Marco Rossi (C)

Struggled to find his game. Lost check in own zone for Perfetti chance.

Brock Boeser (C+)

Lots of giddy-up after missing five games in concussion protocol.

Liam Ohgren (C)

In position for deft high deflection of point shot, but line struggled.

Teddy Blueger (C)

Lost seven of first eight draws for no momentum. Was good on PK.

Conor Garland (C)

Not a great night but also good on penalty kill that went 3-for-3.

Nils Hoglander (C)

Buzzing. Slot shot wide, one off Comrie shoulder, hooking minor.

David Kampf (C)

Won key PK draws, 13-for-20 in circle. More help than hindrance.

Linus Karlsson (C-)

Just 5:11 of ice time through two period on fourth line. No jump.

Elias (D-Petey) Pettersson (C)

Allowed Vilardi position on 2-2 goal. Three shots, three blocks.

Filip Hronek (C+)

Three shots, seven attempts. Rode out Barron on charge to net.

Marcus Pettersson (C)

Lost Connor on easy two-foot, tap-in. Three shots, four blocks.

Tom Willander (C)

Learned to play without stick on Jets foray. Still boxed out well.

Zeev Buium (C)

Moved well. Good positioning to physically deny scoring chance.

Pierre Olivier-Joseph (C)

Strength issues. Ridden off puck in prolonged O-zone possession.

Nikita Tolopilo (B)

Sharp at finding pucks in traffic. Stayed calm and square. Solid.

bkuzma@postmedia.com

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Canucks Player Grades: Trade buzz trumps 3-2 OT loss to the Jets

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