The Canucks’ 2026-27 plans hinge on Elias Pettersson’s future with the club, whether Zeev Buium and Marco Rossi can take the next step in their development, and how soon Thatcher Demko returns after hip surgery.
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Vancouver is moving into 2026-27 after a 2025-26 season that left the Canucks near the bottom of the league and finishing with the NHL’s worst record, triggering a reset across the organization.
As part of that reset, the team has new leadership roles, including Ryan Johnson as general manager and Manny Malhotra as coach, replacing Adam Foote, who lasted one season.
The Canucks’ roster shifted during 2025-26 when Quinn Hughes was traded to the Minnesota Wild before Christmas. Vancouver received three NHL players and a draft pick, including young defenceman Zeev Buium and forward Marco Rossi.
Heading into 2026-27, Pettersson remains the most closely watched question. The team’s offseason has been described as revolving heavily around him following a steep downturn in production, with the trade market used to gauge possible options. Pettersson is reported to be earning more than $11 million, which would make in-season movement more difficult than it would be for players with smaller cap hits.
The development of Buium and Rossi is another key factor. Their start in Vancouver has been uneven overall, though there have been flashes, and Rossi is reported to have scored 22 points in 33 games. Buium’s early performance is described as “bang on average.”
A third major issue is goaltender Thatcher Demko’s health. Demko, a former Vezina Trophy finalist, has had injuries disrupt his availability and rhythm. He appeared in 20 games last season and played 23 before that, and he underwent hip surgery in January while working his way back heading into the new season.
If Demko reaches full fitness, his return could stabilize Vancouver’s performance and help raise the team’s baseline in a challenging stretch of the schedule.
Taken together, the questions around Pettersson, Buium and Rossi’s readiness, and Demko’s ability to stay healthy shape how quickly the Canucks can improve after finishing last in 2025-26.
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