The Vancouver Canucks’ four-day 2026 training camp in Penticton wrapped up with clearer signals on defensive depth, leadership roles and how prospects could fit into the next stage of roster decisions.
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The Vancouver Canucks’ 2026 training camp ended after four days of practice and evaluation in Penticton, with the organization turning its attention to the remainder of the preseason and an ongoing question about what the early-season roster could look like. The camp featured competitions for roles, including how younger players could earn more prominent reps alongside experienced veterans.
A central storyline was a competition on the blue line for what has been described as the “seventh-defenceman” spot. Among the candidates, Victor Mancini and Kirill Kudryavtsev drew the most attention, with the pairing picture evolving during the week. After the Canucks’ first preseason game, Mancini’s usage shifted less prominently as the camp moved toward its final day.
The Canucks opened preseason Saturday with a 4–2 loss to the Seattle Kraken. Observations from camp linked some of the defensive contest for that role to in-game moments, including a defensive lapse connected to a turnover that led to a Kraken goal. Kudryavtsev, meanwhile, saw more prominent usage as the week progressed, including power-play work described as first-unit reps during both the Prospects Showcase and the preseason.
Camp impressions suggested power-play reps and practice chemistry could influence how coaches approach upcoming decisions, including whether Kudryavtsev could play for the Abbotsford Canucks if he doesn’t secure a full-time role in Vancouver. Financial factors were also part of the discussion around the defensive lineup. Mancini is on a one-way contract worth $1 million annually through 2027–28, while Kudryavtsev, in the final year of his entry-level contract, could be less expensive if assigned to Abbotsford.
Luke Schenn was also part of the defensive picture early in camp, working with Zeev Buium for the first two days. Buium and Schenn were described as pairing well in practices, with Schenn positioned as a veteran presence. As the week progressed, Buium’s pairing shifted on the final day.
On the forward side, Brendan Gallagher stood out for his effort and persistence across drills and skating. One example highlighted was Gallagher’s long board-battle shift in which he fought for the puck for more than 30 seconds without giving up position.
Gallagher’s line work early in the week also involved Max Sasson and Drew O’Connor. On day four, Sasson’s role changed after he was moved to a different group following Saturday’s preseason game, and camp observations suggested the potential of that trio was something the organization wanted to monitor as combinations continued to shift.
Leadership and fan-facing moments were among the closing notes from camp. After Saturday’s scrimmage in Penticton at the South Okanagan Events Centre, Gallagher, Schenn and Brock Boeser addressed the crowd, reflecting the organization’s push to establish a group identity beyond the ice.
Prospects were also a focus. Braeden Cootes was described as an early standout following the 2026 Prospects Showcase the week before, including work primarily with Arshdeep Bains and Adam Novotný. In Saturday’s preseason game, Cootes played with Jonathan Lekkerimäki and recorded two points in Vancouver’s effort.
Adam Novotný’s camp work was also highlighted, including a focus on physicality and sustained effort. Other prospects received attention in specific drills or game moments, including Gabriel Chiarot in Saturday’s in-team scrimmage, Yaroslav Bryzgalov in O-zone drills and Vilmer Alriksson in drills and the preseason game.
In roster terms, Filip Chytil was identified as a player who could factor into Vancouver’s plans if he avoids setbacks. Camp impressions said he was healthy and fully participating, with his line placement changing across the four days, including time alongside Brock Boeser and Paul Cotter and later centring a group that included Cotter and Gallagher.
The camp also reflected coaching priorities under new head coach Manny Malhotra, with practices described as high tempo and varied, including instruction that breaks up drills rather than letting sessions continue on autopilot. The week ended with an end-of-practice “bag skate” sequence that included Malhotra and members of the coaching staff, as described by comments from Schenn and Buium.
With camp complete, Vancouver’s next decisions will come in the remaining preseason games, including continued evaluation of the defensive depth situation, how far prospect momentum carries and whether Chytil’s health and role at centre can help answer early-season needs.
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