With the Canucks set to open the 2026-27 season on Sept. 29, seven position battles remain as players fight for limited roster space.
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The Vancouver Canucks are approaching their final runway to shape the 23-man roster for the 2026-27 season, which begins Tuesday, Sept. 29. That schedule compresses the time players have to convince the coaching staff they belong on opening-night lineups, particularly for those operating on the “bubble” between the NHL and the AHL.
One of the clearest early choices involves Jake DeBrusk, who the article describes as the front-runner for a top-line left-wing role. DeBrusk is presented as the natural fit after leading the team in goals last season, and he has been paired with Elias Pettersson and Linus Karlsson on the presumed first line throughout camp without losing that role.
Beneath the top-line certainty, the competition for another high-leverage winger spot centres on Liam Öhgren. The report says Öhgren has stood out at camp through dominant play in battle drills, a heavy focus on shooting, and speed on the ice, lining up with Brock Boeser and Marco Rossi on the “BRÖ Line,” while leaving room for Manny Malhotra to reshuffle pairings as the preseason develops.
The Canucks’ options for Pettersson’s wing also include Paul Cotter, with his speed described as a reason for interest, while Adam Novotný is listed as a wildcard who has made a case to start the season alongside Pettersson. The underlying theme across both winger spots is that camp reps still have practical value: final roster decisions hinge on who can translate practice momentum into consistent roles.
On the defensive side, the opening battle is for the seventh defenceman position. The front-runner in the report is Kirill Kudryavtsev, a left-shot option said to offer versatility by being able to play on both sides of the ice. Even though his play is characterized as steady but not flashy, the article places him ahead because the players around him have “faltered” in the competition.
That competition is not settled, however, because Victor Mancini remains in the mix. The article points to a factor that is both on-ice and organizational: Mancini hurt his case in the preseason opener through puck management, but his contract is described as a one-way deal that pays his salary whether he is in the NHL or the AHL. Kudryavtsev, by contrast, is on a two-way contract with an AHL salary that the report says would save Vancouver money if he is assigned to Abbotsford.
At forward, the third-line centre spot is identified as another key question, with Filip Chytil listed as the front-runner. Chytil’s camp work has placed him between Drew O’Connor and Jonathan Lekkerimäki on a more offensively oriented bottom-six line, but the article flags two concerns: his ability to stay healthy and whether he is a better fit as a centre rather than on the wing.
Aatu Räty is positioned as the main contender for that role. The report says Räty is strong in faceoffs but has shown defensive inconsistency that makes it difficult to rely on him as a two-way third-line centre; it also notes that with Manny Malhotra’s new system, Räty may have a better chance to lock in the defensive expectations. Still, the article adds that Räty has mostly been paired with fourth-line wingers at camp, suggesting coaches may be testing usage patterns.
Beyond the top of the lineup, the Canucks are also sorting out defensive pairing roles and remaining forward spots. Zeev Buium is listed as the front-runner for top-pairing left defence alongside Filip Hronek, with the article tying that projection to Vancouver’s long-term commitment to Buium through an eight-year contract and to his recent practice role. Jamie Oleksiak is offered as a contender if the staff opts to insulate younger defenders with veteran coverage, while Elias Pettersson is framed as a wildcard if the team wants a more defensively minded left-side option near Hronek.
The second-line centre projection and the 13th forward picture both hinge on how camp minutes settle. Marco Rossi is presented as the likely second-line centre after standout work in camp, including during a scrimmage with Öhgren and Boeser. Chytil is described as a long shot to steal that job, while the report also floats an alternative scenario where Rossi outbattles Elias Pettersson and Pettersson shifts to the second-line centre.
Finally, the article highlights competition that could affect early-season stability, including the goaltending and the “reserve forward” group. Kevin Lankinen is identified as the starting goaltender front-runner for the opening stretch of the season, expected to play the bulk of early games until Thatcher Demko is healthy. Nikita Tolopilo is listed as a contender after outperforming Lankinen when called upon last season and looking solid in the preseason opener, while the biggest variable is Demko’s health.
The Canucks’ approach to Demko is described in terms of caution and timing rather than a fixed recovery timetable. The report quotes general manager Ryan Johnson saying the organization “never had a timeline” and that it wanted to ensure the recovery was a one-time situation, with Demko returning only when he felt “100 per cent ready” without rushing the process.
With Vancouver’s regular season set to begin Sept. 29 and the roster cut-down process leaving little time to justify last-minute changes, the practical significance of these battles is straightforward: the staff must decide not only who has the skill to play at NHL speed, but also who fits specific roles ranging from seventh defenceman and third-line centre to early-start goalie responsibilities. Those choices will shape how quickly the Canucks can stabilize their lineup and which prospects will start the season in Abbotsford instead of Vancouver.
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