Nucks 101

09/15/2026

Which position should the Canucks prioritize on waivers?

🏒 Forward
🛡️ Defenceman
🥅 Goaltender

Finishing last comes with few rewards. The Vancouver Canucks are about to receive one—or perhaps more.

Vancouver holds the NHL’s No. 1 waiver priority until Nov. 1. If multiple teams claim the same player, the Canucks get him. That priority also does not disappear after one claim.

The Canucks once sneaked Jacob Markström through waivers while every other team passed. He eventually became Vancouver’s starting goaltender and an NHL All-Star.

Now, the Canucks are on the other side.

Recent claims involving Connor Ingram, Juuso Välimäki, Dante Fabbro and Eeli Tolvanen show what can happen when overlooked talent receives another opportunity.

Vancouver does not need to find a superstar. A middle-six forward, dependable defenceman or capable goaltender would be a meaningful addition without surrendering a player or draft pick.

Ryan Johnson does not need every gamble to work. He only needs to make sure the Canucks do not pass on the one that could.

Follow for more Canucks content, analysis and prospects.

09/08/2026

What happened to Elias Pettersson — and can he still find his way back?
At his peak, Pettersson was a 102-point superstar.
Then came the knee injury. A compromised offseason. The Miller rift. Questions surrounding his relationship with Rick Tocchet. More injuries. Two miscarriages. And a measurable decline in his speed, explosiveness and shot volume.
None of it excuses the production.
But context isn’t necessarily an excuse. It’s still context.
I took a deep dive into what changed for Pettersson, what the numbers tell us, and whether the player Vancouver committed $92.8 million to can still find his way back.
📖 Read the full article on The Hockey News — link in bio.
What do you think: Does Pettersson bounce back in 2026–27?

A deep dive into Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson.

09/01/2026

Which young D-man intrigues you more — Victor Mancini or Kirill Kudryavtsev? 👀
Training camp is almost here, and there are still jobs up for grabs in Vancouver.
From the top of the lineup to the bottom of the roster, these are five Canucks training camp battles to watch in Penticton:
1️⃣ First-line centre — Pettersson vs. Rossi
2️⃣ Top-pair left defence — Buium vs. Oleksiak
3️⃣ Second-line left wing — O’Connor vs. the field
4️⃣ Third-pair right defence — Schenn vs. Mancini vs. Kudryavtsev
5️⃣ Extra forward — Mueller vs. the field
Who wins each battle? 👇
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Based on reporting from Thomas Drance / The Athletic.

08/24/2026

Does Linus Karlsson score 20 goals this season?

Karlsson entered last season fighting just to stay in the NHL. He finished it with 15 goals, 35 points and a new two-year contract, turning uncertainty into one of Vancouver’s more encouraging breakout stories.

In my latest article for The Hockey News, I break down how Karlsson earned a larger role, why his net-front game translated to the NHL, where he could fit alongside Elias Pettersson, and what he still needs to improve heading into 2026–27.

My bold prediction: Karlsson scores 20 goals and establishes himself as a permanent top-six forward.

If you enjoy Canucks content, I’d really appreciate a read, like, follow, or share with any fellow Canucks fans.
What are you expecting from Karlsson this season?

A preview of Canucks forward Linus Karlsson's 2026-27 season.

08/19/2026

What stood out most to you from this list?

The Canucks’ prospect pool is starting to look a whole lot deeper.

Corey Pronman of The Athletic ranked Vancouver’s U23 pipeline 17th in the NHL for 2026, a five-spot jump from No. 22 last year.

Caleb Malhotra leads the way at No. 1, followed by Zeev Buium and Tom Willander. Recent first-round picks Adam Novotný and Braeden Cootes come in at No. 5 and No. 6.

Perhaps the biggest surprise? Jonathan Lekkerimäki is ranked 13th and doesn’t even crack the Top 12 shown here.

Whether you agree with every ranking or not, Vancouver suddenly has considerably more depth in its U23 pipeline than it did a year ago.

🔵 High-End
🟢 Above NHL Average
🟡 NHL Average
🔴 Below NHL Average

Player rankings and primary attribute grades via Corey Pronman/The Athletic. Additional shot grades interpreted by Nucks101. Goaltending attributes adapted by Nucks101.

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🎥 Nucks101 YouTube — coming soon.

08/11/2026

Which Canucks line was best at its peak?
Four lines. Four eras. Four very different ways of taking over a hockey game.
The West Coast Express overwhelmed teams with size, possession and finishing. Näslund, Morrison and Bertuzzi became one of the NHL’s most dangerous offensive units at their height.
The Sedin Line controlled games differently. Daniel, Henrik and Burrows could spend entire shifts cycling the puck, wearing teams down and creating chances seemingly out of nothing. Their peak coincided with Vancouver winning back-to-back Presidents’ Trophies and reaching Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final.
Then there’s 1994. Bure, Linden and Adams weren’t a season-long fixture like the WCE or Sedin Line, but during Vancouver’s playoff run, they represented the speed, scoring and clutch performances that carried the Canucks to within one win of the Stanley Cup.
And finally, the Lotto Line. Pettersson, Miller and Boeser never had the longevity of the others. They were more of a nuclear option — three stars loaded onto one line when Vancouver wanted maximum firepower. Their January 2024 run showed just how dominant that combination could be.
That’s what makes comparing them interesting. One dominated through power. One through possession. One became synonymous with a playoff run. And one gave us flashes of what three elite offensive weapons could do together.
Forget longevity for a moment. At their absolute peak, which line are you taking?
Sedin Line, West Coast Express, ’94 Playoff Line or Lotto Line?

08/04/2026

Does Zeev Buium break out this upcoming season?

Scott Wheeler has been one of hockey's most respected prospect evaluators for years, so when he speaks, it's worth listening.
From Zeev Buium's star potential to Adam Novotny's high floor, Braeden Cootes' leadership, Caleb Malhotra's steady rise, and Brooks Rogowski's encouraging development, Wheeler sees a lot to like in Vancouver's next wave.
The future isn't guaranteed, but one thing is clear: the Canucks have assembled a prospect group that's earning respect across the hockey world.
What's your biggest takeaway from Wheeler's assessment? Which prospect are you most excited to watch develop?

07/30/2026

How would you rate Jake DeBrusk’s contract today?
Jake DeBrusk’s contract is quietly aging into a solid free-agent signing for the Canucks.
When Vancouver signed DeBrusk to a seven-year deal carrying a $5.5 million AAV, many viewed it as a slight overpay. Since then, the NHL’s rising salary cap has steadily improved its value without DeBrusk’s salary changing.
His cap share dropped from 6.25% in 2024–25 to 5.76% in 2025–26, and is projected to fall to 4.85% by 2027–28.
If DeBrusk continues producing around the 20-goal, 40-point range, the deal should become increasingly team-friendly. The production stays similar, while the cost relative to the rest of the league keeps shrinking.
That also improves his value as an asset. A productive middle-six winger on an increasingly affordable contract becomes more attractive to contenders as the salary cap rises.
Bottom line: Same player. Same production. Smaller cap hit every year. That’s what makes this contract more valuable.

07/29/2026

Which prospect are you more excited to follow this season: Brooks Rogowski or Anthony Romani? 👇

Not every prospect story is about goals and assists.
Sometimes, the biggest developments happen away from the scoresheet.

🔹 Brooks Rogowski continues to build momentum after earning rave reviews at the World Junior Summer Showcase. His combination of size, defensive reliability, and pro-ready habits has evaluators taking notice.

🔹 Anthony Romani enters a pivotal season at Michigan State with a larger opportunity ahead. Coaches have challenged him to become a more complete scorer, and early signs suggest he’s answering that challenge.

Neither development guarantees NHL success—but increased opportunity, improved habits, and strong evaluations are exactly what rebuilding organizations want to see.

07/25/2026

Grading Liam Öhgren's 2025–26 Season: Progress, Promise and Plenty to Prove
A scoreless start in Minnesota turned into a promising opportunity in Vancouver.
But how much did Öhgren's season really change—and was it sustainable?
📖 Read the full report and discover his final grade in my latest for The Hockey News.

Grading Canucks forward Liam Öhgren’s 2025–26 season.