VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Canucks` season, amidst numerous changes and challenges, ended with a 4-1 defeat against the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday. Statistically, considering points percentage, only 16 out of the previous 53 seasons were more successful for the Canucks.
While this might not be a source of joy for fans, it underscores that many past seasons were filled with greater struggles and despair. However, few seasons have been as laden with unmet expectations as this one.
The Canucks wrapped up the 2024-25 season with a 38-30-14 record, achieving eight games above .500 in the NHL. Despite this, their playoff aspirations were dashed four games prior, marking their eighth absence from the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the last decade—a stark contrast to being just one win away from the Western Conference Final 11 months prior.
There were some positive developments this season: Kevin Lankinen proved himself as a capable NHL-level goalie, their penalty kill was among the league`s best, the defense improved, and Pius Suter and Kiefer Sherwood had career-best seasons. Additionally, key prospects, notably defenseman Elias Pettersson, showed significant progress.
However, these positives were overshadowed by injuries that plagued nearly all of Vancouver`s top players. Thatcher Demko`s ongoing struggle with injuries and form, and Quinn Hughes`s three separate injuries were key examples. The elder Elias Pettersson experienced a difficult season at the start of his substantial $92.8 million contract, and internal issues within the team led to the trade of J.T. Miller, a core player, in January.
“I prefer not to dwell on ‘what ifs’,” stated Canucks coach Rick Tocchet following the season`s final game. “It’s important to reflect on the year and identify areas for improvement. We faced numerous challenges this year, and while I won`t make excuses, the question is whether we could have handled them more effectively. At the beginning of the season, we talked about ‘embracing the hard,’ and perhaps we weren`t fully prepared for it.”
Hughes remarked that Tocchet’s coaching performance this season surpassed even his Jack Adams Award-winning year, despite a 109-point season last year. Tocchet`s efforts were crucial in keeping the Canucks in playoff contention until late in the regular season. However, the team, often depleted and under constant pressure in the standings, struggled to gain momentum. They couldn’t achieve the winning streaks necessary to distance themselves in the competitive wild-card race.
Vancouver started strong with a 7-1-1 record in the first month but struggled to win more than three consecutive games afterward. Following the Miller trade, despite a promising week, the team returned from the February break with a noticeable drop in performance.
A win against the Golden Knights on February 22 in Las Vegas could have brought them within seven points. Ultimately, Vegas finished 20 points ahead of Vancouver.
The Canucks now enter an unwanted off-season facing several unexpected questions:
What steps will be taken with the original Pettersson to improve his summer training and performance?
Will Tocchet, who has received both public and private support from his players, return for the option year of his contract?
Will Brock Boeser, the longest-tenured Canuck, depart as a free agent? What about Suter`s future?
Furthermore, considering a weak free-agent market and a rising salary cap, how will General Manager Patrik Allvin enhance the forward lineup to ensure a Canucks rebound next season?
“There has been a lot happening, clearly,” veteran defenseman Tyler Myers commented after Wednesday’s morning practice. “However, many teams face challenges throughout a season. The goal is to push through and overcome obstacles, and this year we fell slightly short.
“But the NHL is a league where fortunes can change rapidly. Last year we won our division, and the year before we missed the playoffs. Things can turn around quickly. We need to keep striving, come into each season prepared, and deliver our best. That’s our aim for next year.”