Canucks Finalize Roster as 2025-26 Season Nears
VANCOUVER, BC – The Vancouver Canucks have officially announced their opening-night roster for the 2025-26 NHL season. The team is set to kick off their campaign against the Calgary Flames at home on Thursday, October 9th, with a 7 p.m. PT puck drop.
The Canucks' roster consists of 14 forwards, 7 defensemen, and 2 goaltenders, totaling the league-allowed 23 players. General Manager Patrik Allvin and Head Coach Adam Foote have finalized the lineup after a series of roster cuts and decisions made throughout the preseason.
Forwards:
The forward group features a mix of established veterans and promising young talent. Key players include Brock Boeser, Conor Garland, Elias Pettersson, Evander Kane and Jake DeBrusk. The team will also rely on the contributions of Teddy Blueger, Filip Chytil, Drew O'Connor, and Kiefer Sherwood.
Notably, the roster includes three rookies: Braeden Cootes, Jonathan Lekkerimäki and Linus Karlsson. Cootes, the Canucks' first-round pick (15th overall) in the 2025 NHL Draft, has impressed during training camp and earned a spot in the opening night lineup. At 18 years old, Cootes is the youngest Canuck to debut since Petr Nedved in 1990. Lekkerimäki, another highly touted prospect, also secured a roster spot after a strong showing in the pre-season. Arshdeep Bains and Aatu Räty round out the forward group. Nils Höglander will start the season on injured reserve.
Defensemen:
The Canucks' defense core is anchored by Quinn Hughes and Filip Hronek. Veterans Tyler Myers and Derek Forbort provide experience and stability. The team also added Pierre-Olivier Joseph, a former first-round pick, to bolster the blue line. Elias Pettersson and Marcus Pettersson complete the defensive unit.
Goaltenders:
Thatcher Demko will be the starting goaltender, with Kevin Lankinen serving as the backup. Demko's health is crucial for the Canucks' success this season, as he aims for an injury-free year.
Roster Moves:
To finalize the roster, the Canucks made several moves, including placing Vitali Kravtsov and Nils Aman on waivers. Nikita Tolopilo, Max Sasson, Tom Willander, and Victor Mancini were assigned to the AHL's Abbotsford Canucks.
Looking Ahead:
As the Canucks embark on the 2025-26 season, the team is focused on bouncing back from a difficult previous year. With a mix of seasoned veterans and promising rookies, the Canucks aim to compete for a playoff spot in the Pacific Division. The performance of key players like Elias Pettersson and Thatcher Demko will be critical to their success. The development of young players like Cootes and Lekkerimäki will also be closely watched.
