Canucks Preseason: Key Battles and Roster Decisions

The Vancouver Canucks are one step closer to their season opener, having played their first of four preseason games. With the regular season just eight days away, the sprint to the 84-game schedule begins with a home-and-home series against the Edmonton Oilers on September 29th and October 1st.

Canucks Open Preseason with 4-2 Loss in Seattle

The preseason opener against the Seattle Kraken featured a lineup primarily composed of players likely headed to the American Hockey League (AHL). Key NHL-bound players included Aatu Raty, Elias Pettersson, Max Sasson, and Nikita Tolopilo. Victor Mancini and Jonathan Lekkerimaki could also start the season in Abbotsford. Essentially, Manny Malhotra's unofficial NHL head coaching debut felt more like coaching his Abbotsford squad.

The Kraken also fielded many young players and prospects, but their starting goaltender played for two periods, influencing the game against an inexperienced Canucks team. Despite falling behind 3-0, the Canucks fought back to 3-2. Braeden Cootes scored his first preseason goal in the third period, beating Nikke Kokko. Arshdeep Baines added another on a 5-on-3 power play with the goalie pulled.

Ultimately, the Canucks couldn't close the gap. Jake O’Brien restored the Kraken's two-goal lead with 2:35 remaining. The Canucks couldn't regain possession long enough for another goalie pull and lost 4-2.

3 Battles to Watch in Final 3 Preseason Games

With the opener behind them, the Canucks will ice more NHL-heavy lineups for the remaining preseason games. While players will manage their game count, we'll see a closer approximation of the opening night roster.

Elias Pettersson's Chemistry

Elias Pettersson needs to establish consistent, ideally elite, chemistry with a linemate this season to regain his 102-point form. He hasn't found that since playing with Andrei Kuzmenko during his career-best season.

With Jake DeBrusk starting on Pettersson's left wing in training camp, he's likely to remain there. The right-wing spot is more open. The Canucks have tried several players there since Kuzmenko's trade. Linus Karlsson, who had a breakout season with 15 goals and 35 points, has lined up with Pettersson and DeBrusk. We'll likely see this combination in a preseason game, but it's not guaranteed to stick. Lekkerimaki and Brendan Gallagher could also get looks, particularly Gallagher, whose work ethic might benefit Pettersson.

3rd-Line Centre: Filip Chytil vs. Aatu Raty

Filip Chytil, healthy and performing well in camp, is currently slated to be the third-line centre, playing alongside Boeser and Paul Cotter. However, Aatu Raty, the Canucks' top faceoff man with a career 59.3% faceoff win percentage, is challenging for the role. Raty won 66.7 percent of his faceoffs in the preseason opener, further solidifying his reputation as a specialist.

Raty will be in the opening night lineup, but the question is whether he'll be the third or fourth-line centre. Chytil could shift to wing alongside Rossi or even Raty, pushing Cotter down. This battle is intriguing, but with only one more game for Raty to unseat Chytil, it's an uphill climb.

Marco Rossi's Wingers

Marco Rossi is a lock for the top-six centre group. His wingers, however, are not yet determined. Lekkerimaki and Liam Ohgren have started with him in training camp. However, the "Bro Line" (presumably Rossi, Boeser, and Ohgren from their chemistry in late 2025-26) should remain an option for Malhotra.

While trying Lekkerimaki with Ohgren makes sense due to their past chemistry, if it doesn't work, Boeser should reunite with Ohgren and Rossi. They formed the Canucks' most dangerous trio in the latter part of the 2025-26 season. Gallagher, Filip Chytil, Paul Cotter, and even DeBrusk could also be considered for these winger spots.

Braeden Cootes Should Start in the AHL

Cootes started strong with a couple of points, but one preseason game doesn't guarantee a roster spot. A logjam of forwards, especially at centre, makes it difficult for him to crack the opening night lineup.

Cootes should begin the season in the AHL. There, he can gain confidence as a top-line centre in a professional league and play significant minutes in all situations before potentially moving to the NHL. Currently, he'd likely see limited ice time in the bottom six, perhaps not even at centre. Regardless of his performance in the remaining preseason games, he should head to Abbotsford to be a top forward for Ryan Papaioannou.