Rebuilding Vancouver Canucks seek to lay a new foundation

The Vancouver Canucks are entering a rebuild after finishing last in the NHL with a 25-49-8 record last season. Rookie head coach Manny Malhotra said at training camp in Penticton, B.C., that progress will be measured by more than wins and losses: fewer repeated mistakes, commitment to the system, and intensity in puck battles and races. He said becoming difficult to play against is a form of winning.

Vancouver opens its season Tuesday in Edmonton against the Oilers. Defenceman Zeev Buium said players remain determined to win, but losing because of a lack of effort is unacceptable. Early-season injuries last year preceded the trade of captain and star defenceman Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild for Buium, forwards Marco Rossi and Liam Ohgren, and a first-round pick. General manager Patrik Allvin was fired after the season, while president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford stepped down weeks later. Daniel and Henrik Sedin became co-presidents of hockey operations, and Ryan Johnson moved from the Abbotsford Canucks to become the NHL club's general manager.

Johnson dismissed Adam Foote after one season as coach and hired Malhotra, who led Abbotsford to a championship in 2025. He also added veterans including former Montreal Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher and defenceman Luke Schenn. Rossi and goaltender Kevin Lankinen described a positive atmosphere and high standards in camp. The Canucks are looking for younger players to earn NHL jobs and for established players to regain their form, though scoring could remain an issue if Elias Pettersson, Brock Boeser and Jake DeBrusk struggle again. Pettersson recorded 15 goals and 51 points last season, Boeser had 22 goals and 48 points, and DeBrusk posted 23 goals and 42 points.