Canucks AHL prospects to watch in Abbotsford in 2026-27 include Cootes, Mueller and Kudryavtsev

The Story

A new Vancouver Canucks season is approaching, and attention in the organization is already turning to the AHL, where several prospects are expected to develop and compete for future opportunities.

The 2026-27 season centres much of that work in Abbotsford with the AHL affiliate, the Abbotsford Canucks, a setting that can offer more consistent ice time and a clearer look at how prospects handle a pro schedule.

Braeden Cootes is one of the prospects highlighted for his recent path through the system. He impressed the organization last season by becoming the first 18-year-old to play for the Canucks on opening night since 1990.

Cootes, selected 15th overall in the 2025 draft, also made early impressions during pre-season action by scoring against the Seattle Kraken. After a stretch of games without a point, he was sent back to the WHL to continue building his game.

With another chance to play for Abbotsford, the prospect’s opportunity for the 2026-27 campaign is tied to proving he can translate that early momentum into steady production and reliability in a full-season professional environment.

Ty Mueller is another player listed as a prospect to track in Abbotsford. Mueller made his NHL debut against the Minnesota Wild in 2025 and, in that appearance, played over 10 minutes and recorded a shot on goal.

In the later stages of the 2025-26 season, injuries in Vancouver opened the door for Mueller to receive a call-up for six regular-season games. During that run, he recorded his first NHL goal on April 16 against the Edmonton Oilers.

Mueller’s scoring performance in Abbotsford last season was also included in the assessment: he ranked third in goals for the AHL team, posting a career-high 16 goals. That combination of past AHL scoring and limited NHL experience forms the basis for why his next phase could matter for the organization’s depth plans.

The third prospect featured is defenceman Kirill Kudryavtsev, who has established himself with the AHL Canucks. The review notes he produced 20 points in 44 games last season, an output that helped him settle into his role as a younger contributor.

Kudryavtsev also saw NHL action three times during 2025-26, recording his first two career assists in those appearances. The emphasis for his development is on maintaining two-way reliability, including puck retrieval and clean passing from the blue line.

Across the 2026-27 campaign, the common thread for Cootes, Mueller and Kudryavtsev is the opportunity to turn their respective recent experiences—whether NHL exposure, AHL scoring or AHL defensive production—into consistent performance in Abbotsford.

For Vancouver fans, watching the AHL on a player-by-player basis can offer early clues about what style, readiness and roles might show up later at the NHL level, especially as the Canucks continue to evaluate prospects who can handle both the pace and responsibilities of a pro league schedule.