Scout’s Analysis: Breaking Down the Canucks After a Dramatic Season

The 2024-25 season was certainly a dramatic one for the Vancouver Canucks.

Just a year prior, at this time, the team had claimed the Pacific Division regular season title, eliminated the Nashville Predators in the first playoff round, and engaged in a tough seven-game series against the Edmonton Oilers.

Head coach Rick Tocchet received the Jack Adams award, Quinn Hughes became the first Canucks defenseman to win the Norris Trophy, and goaltender Thatcher Demko was a Vezina Trophy finalist.

Outwardly, the situation appeared entirely positive for the Canucks. They seemed to have fostered a culture set for sustained success, a stark contrast to the team president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford inherited in 2021. The organization had made smart moves through free agency and trades, with draft picks beginning to impact the NHL roster.

However, as Canucks fans are well aware, underlying issues began emerging as early as the previous off-season, ultimately culminating in a lost 2024-25 campaign where nearly everything unraveled.

Every NHL organization undertakes a thorough review during the off-season. It`s crucial to identify shortcomings and determine necessary fixes, while also acknowledging successes and planning to maintain positive momentum.

Given the tumultuous season the Canucks experienced, there`s certainly a lot to analyze and address.

With that context, here is my attempt at an end-of-season review for the Canucks.

Roster Breakdown

Most of Vancouver`s roster is expected back next season, with only four unrestricted free agents to consider.

Let`s examine the team by position:

• Brock Boeser has likely played his final game as a Canuck. He is seeking a raise, and while he can score, his one-dimensional game makes a long-term, potentially aging contract undesirable.
• Boeser recorded 25 goals and 25 assists this season, but also finished with a minus-25 rating. He isn`t a forward who drives play, and his lack of speed is a significant concern in today`s fast-paced NHL.
• Pius Suter had a strong season for Vancouver, averaging over 17 minutes and playing various roles.
• Suter is a valuable, competitive middle-six forward. He was reliable and hit career highs with 25 goals and 21 assists, but his face-off win rate (43%) and potentially unsustainable shooting percentage (18.1%) are points to note.
• I would like to see Vancouver re-sign Suter, but I`m hesitant about a contract exceeding $3 million AAV. Despite his excellent year, his historical production hasn`t been at this level.

• The organization has internal options waiting for full-time NHL roles next season. Letting veterans Derek Forbort and Noah Juulsen depart as free agents seems acceptable.
• I see potential for Elias Pettersson, Victor Mancini, and possibly Tom Willander to compete for spots on the bottom defensive pair.
• Another option for the Canucks is through free agency, potentially finding a value veteran defenseman like pending UFA Matt Grzelcyk from the Pittsburgh Penguins.
• Grzelcyk played all 82 games for the Penguins this season, averaging over 20 minutes with 1 goal and 39 assists. He`s competitive and plays with pace. He finished with a minus-6 rating, which isn`t bad considering the Penguins` season. His expiring contract paid him $2.75 million.

• The goaltending situation is critically important for the Canucks moving forward.
• One of the most successful moves made by Canucks management was signing free agent goaltender Kevin Lankinen last off-season. After Hughes, Lankinen could be argued as the team`s most valuable player this season.
• Lankinen posted a 2.62 GAA and .902 save percentage, impressive stats given the team`s struggles in 2024-25 compared to the prior year. He bet on himself and won, turning an $875,000 contract into a three-year extension worth $4.5 million AAV.
• Meanwhile, Thatcher Demko remains in the picture, entering the final year before potential UFA eligibility. When healthy, Demko is a top-tier NHL goalie, but he`s faced numerous injuries.
• While his presence at his best significantly improves the Canucks, he needs to prove he can stay healthy for an extended period. There was a point this season where his injury status felt reminiscent of Carey Price.
• If the Canucks aren`t confident Arturs Silovs is ready for a full-time NHL role, they will need to look for a veteran goalie bargain in free agency.
• Silovs, notably, has performed well in the AHL Abbotsford playoffs this spring, posting a 5-1 record with a 1.74 GAA. His $850,000 cap hit next season provides financial flexibility.

Year Over Year Comparison

Every team relies on core players to lead in key areas. Scorers are expected to produce, goaltenders to make saves, and transitional defensemen to drive play and quarterback the power play.

One of the primary challenges for the Canucks this season was the failure of too many core players to maintain momentum from the previous year. While production dips can happen, the required commitment to defensive detail and the compete level needed to overcome adversity were often missing.

Consider the following:

Here are the Canucks` top scorers from the 2023-24 season: