There has never been a Canucks roster that started the season with this level of talent that was so non-competitive night-to-night<\/p>\n
Published Apr 06, 2026 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 4 minute read<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n You can save this article by registering for free here<\/a>. Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n Welcome to Canucks Live. Here, we\u2019ll highlight some of the news that drops daily about the Canucks. Come back throughout the day as we update with all the news you need to know. If you haven\u2019t done so already, sign up for our Canucks Report<\/a> to get our stories delivered to your inbox every day.<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events.Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account.The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.<\/p>\n SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events.Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account.The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Account<\/p>\n or<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n There are two games left at Rogers Arena<\/a> in what is clearly the worst season the Vancouver Canucks<\/a> have ever had and then fans can start consulting shamans, building shrines, scouring for four-leaf clovers, burning Mark Messier jerseys \u2014 anything they can do to appease the hockey gods to try and land the first-overall pick in this summer\u2019s draft for the first time in their disappointing history.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Argue wins, point percentage, tanking and stripping down the roster, there has never been a Canucks team that started the season with this level of talent that was so non-competitive night-to-night. Not just after the Quinn Hughes<\/a> trade \u2014 that deal mostly came about because Hughes bailed on his teammates and the city \u2014 but also because the start to the season had made it apparent this team that had Hughes, Elias Pettersson<\/a>, Brock Boeser<\/a>, Thatcher Demko<\/a>, Filip Hronek<\/a>, etc., was going absolutely nowhere.<\/p>\n Nonsensical front office moves, a first-year NHL head coach who has looked out of his depth since Day 1 and a roster full of players that don\u2019t seem to care for each other or the fans, as evidenced by a truly awful home record, this season should be studied by NHL owners for years to come as to the polar opposite of how to build a team.<\/p>\n Canucks Report<\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Ben Kuzma took a look at one of the stories of the NHL this season<\/a>, the Buffalo Sabres, who have suffered through infinite rebuilds to snap a 15-season playoff appearance drought and look like the league\u2019s hottest team heading into the playoffs. Are they even embers of that kind of fire in Vancouver that could grow into a hot commodity in the next couple of seasons?<\/p>\n The Sabres had a vision for the future by sending big scoring winger JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth last June for right-shot defenceman Michael Kesserling to address a need for an Owen Power partner. It added to previous moves to land centres Josh Norris from the Ottawa Senators and Ryan McLeod from the Edmonton Oilers<\/a> to bolster the top-six mix and depth.<\/p>\n And the Sabres didn\u2019t part with first-round draft picks in 2026, 2027 and 2028 in acquisitions to help the team now and in the future.<\/p>\n \u201cThe guys have worked so hard to get to this point,\u201d said long-serving Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff. \u201cEvery month has been pretty darn consistent, and we played a good brand of hockey. We got rewarded.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the Canucks have roster riddles to solve before next fall. They\u2019ve scored the third-fewest goals, have allowed the most goals, and the penalty kill is dead last. They will set a franchise record for futility on home ice, where they need to make the most impact for fans to keep the faith as ticket-prices rise again.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Athletic\u2019s weekend rankings seem to have given up having anything to say about the Canucks<\/a> \u2014 and who can blame them?<\/p>\n It\u2019s been a quiet season around these parts when it comes to Canadian content. There hasn\u2019t been a Canadian team in the top five since the season was a month old, back when the Winnipeg Jets and Edmonton Oilers<\/a> made brief appearances in the haze of optimism carried over from the year before. The Calgary Flames<\/a> and Vancouver Canucks<\/a> have taken up residence in the bottom five, where we\u2019re running out of ways to say \u201cYep, they\u2019re bad\u201d every week. Vancouver Canucks (22-46-8, -97) \u2014 They did it. They clinched dead last, top lottery odds and a worst-case scenario of a top-three pick. Also, Drance wants you to hate Quinn Hughes<\/a> now.\u00a0<\/p>\n Advertisement 5<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n At least the Athletic offers a silver lining, looking at the \u201ctop prospect\u201d for each team<\/a>, the Canucks pickings are woefully thin, but, of course, there\u2019s one \u2014 just one \u2014 who stands out.<\/p>\n Braeden Cootes, C<\/p>\n Vancouver\u2019s first-round pick at the 2025 draft has enjoyed an impressive draft-plus-one campaign, making the NHL team out of training camp and representing Canada in a depth role at the U20 tournament. He then proceeded to score 63 points across 45 WHL games for the Seattle Thunderbirds and the Prince Albert Raiders. Cootes, a well-rounded right-handed centre with quality two-way details and scoring touch in his game, is likely to turn pro full-time next season. \u2014 Thomas Drance\u00a0<\/p>\n Check back for more Canucks news throughout the day.<\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n![\"Vancouver](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/cp176069997_302362694.jpg\")
Vancouver Canucks left wing Evander Kane (91) scores against Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill (33) during the first period on Monday night in Las Vegas. The Golden Knights won 4-2. Photo by Candice Ward \/APArticle content<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/20.9.1\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-vp.svg\"){kind=logo}
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