By: Trent Leith / July 27, 2026 The new Canucks management team officially has some things to put on their resume. And dare I say, their resume is looking good! The Canucks made five picks in the first 3 rounds, made some strong free agency bets and even made a big trade with an eye to the future.
You have been following the news; you know the moves, but what you don’t know is what I think or what Brayden thinks about everything. Did you want to know what we think? I don’t know why you would, but I am not here to kink shame. Let’s dive in.
The Draft
First five draft results for the Canucks:
Round 1, 3rd overall: Caleb Malhotra (Centre)
Round 1, 24th overall: Adam Novotný (Left Wing)
Round 2, 33rd overall: Brooks Rogowski (Centre)
Round 2, 41st overall: Niklas Aaram-Olsen (Left Wing)
Round 3, 78th overall: Dmitri Ivchenko (Goaltender)
Brayden’s Thoughts
The Canucks third overall pick is hard to argue with; Caleb deserved to go as high as number three no matter who the team was. Had the Canucks been faced with the unlikely decision of Gavin Mckenna falling to third or the slightly more likely situation of Ivar Stenberg falling to that position, a Malhotra pick would’ve no doubt been contentious.
However, at third, it’s no doubt the right call, regardless of who his dad is. Further to that point, anyone who thinks the Canucks only drafted him because his Dad is the coach is delusional. This team churns through coaches with ruthless abandon. Do people really think they’re gonna make a franchise-defining pick because of who’s currently shackled with that gig?
The Canucks had five picks total in the first three rounds, and none of them were defenseman, which on the surface feels a little strange just given the massive hole that Quinn Hughes has left on the blueline this past season.
However, none of these later draft picks were gonna be plug-and-play anyway; Adam Novotný, on the left side, Brooks Rogowski up the middle and Niklas Aaram-Olsen on the right are respectable adds across the entire forward depth charts with an eye towards long-term development.
The Canucks 5th pick of the draft in the third round at 78th overall, Dmitri Ivchenko, was their one and only Goalie pick-up of the draft. It’s good that the Canucks continue to add to their depth in this department, as we really don’t know how much gas the Demko-Lankinen tandem, that has never really successfully materialized, has left in the tank.
Trent’s Thoughts
Let’s just get this out of the way, no one knows diddly squat about Carl Sutterberg, who the Canucks drafted in the 6th round, unless you read about him after he got drafted. I am not going to pretend to know anything about any of these prospects.
I am not even going to check if the Canucks actually drafted Sutterberg in the 6th. Or if he is even a hockey player.
I am not a prospects guy; I never have been, so I am not even going to pretend to have a take on anyone other than Malhotra. And my take on him is “right on 👍”.
From what I have (and you probably too) heard is he is a responsible centreman with a high floor and a high ceiling. Right on. He is arguably better off the ice than he is on the ice. The Canucks could use a guy like that. Right on. Is he cut from the same cloth as his dad? I doubt Manny would have a problem being just another player if his dad was the coach. Right on.
As for the rest of the picks, I just got to put faith in leadership, I don’t know anything about them. The only thing I notice is that there were no defencemen picked, but Brayden already mentioned that.
Paul Cotter Signing
Paul Cotter, 26yo, 6’2 213lbs – Free agent signing – Depth winger, good for 15-25 points, one year, 2.15M$ – Good deadline flip candidate
Brayden’s Thoughts
This is a perfectly fine signing for the Canucks to make, very little money for a player that’s good for close to 20 points on the year. Over the last two seasons in New Jersey, he has played most of the season with 79 games played in each of the last two years, which is a good sign as well.
He’s been getting league min in all contracts before this one the Canucks just signed. Vancouver clearly sees value in him even if it’s just for a year; he’s getting a raise, and hopefully that encourages him to show that he deserves an even bigger one the next year.
Otherwise the Canucks move on, no harm no foul.
Trent’s Thoughts
On the surface, this is a very “sure, ya, whatever dude” signing. But I think signings like this and the ones to follow imply good process from the new management team. It is a small thing, and could be nothing, but short, reasonable bets that worst-case scenarios are a player filling a role who walks in free agency. Best case scenario, a mid-round draft pick at the deadline.
Cotter is a good bet to make as the Canucks. He is a 26-year-old, 6’2 winger on a one-year $2.15M deal in an unprecedented era of cap growth.
What’s not to love here? It’s not like the Canucks are log-jammed with high-end prospects.
The Prodigal Schenn Returns
Luke Schenn 36yo, 6″2 225lbs – Free agent signing – One year, 2.25$M – 3rd stint with the team – full NMC
Brayden’s Thoughts
What can’t be said positively about Schenn, other than the fact that he’s an accent 36 years old. I say while being close behind, turning 32 this year. Players like Schenn make me feel young. Similarly, like other recent signings by the team at a one-year commitment for very little money, what’s not to like?
He’s a player the fans love, from all accounts is just a great guy, and he knows what this team and this City can be, through its good and its bad; he’s not going to be surprised by anything.
Schenn knows it rains a lot out this way, and that fans can be rabid. Even if he didn’t skate a single game, it’s hard to understate the value on just a culture fit level that having a guy like Schenn could do for building the identity of this team.
Trent’s Thoughts
Schenn Daddy is back, baby.
“When this opportunity came up and I was able to help be a part of it and they saw me as a guy that can help do that, I was pumped to take a strong look at this offer and make it work.”
Luke Schenn was damn near out of the league when he wound up on the Canucks for the first time. Then he won back-to-back cups in Tampa. He came back to Vancouver to shepherd Quinn Hughes into the league. He has credited the Canucks with saving his career and has name-dropped RJ as being a part of that. Now, he is “pumped” to be back?
Give him the C.
I am serious, if you are going to give it out, give it to him. That’s THE guy you want leading the way after what happened to this team since he left. Remember the time he was publicly willing to put JT Miller’s and his bad attitude in his place on live TV?
“I truly care about what’s taking place here and obviously who is running the ship in terms of coaches and management and everything, I really care about the Canucks and the direction they’re going in,”
Captain shit.
Jamie Oleksiak Signing
Jamie Oleksiak 33YO, 6’7 252lbs – Free agent signing – 2 Year $5M AAV –
Brayden’s Thoughts
Now we’re getting a little pricier for a little longer. Jamie Oleksiak is a similarly smart addition like Scheen, in the sense that he’ll just be coming from down the I-5. Oleksiak is used to what it means to live and play in the Pacific Northwest. The climate, the travel, there is no worry about Oleksiak needing to adapt to those intangibles. He’s a massive 6’7 “, 251lb Dman that’s a great add for the blueline.
Over recent years, Oleksiak has not been producing point-wise like crazy, but over his last five years with Seattle he’s seen as many as 25 points in a year and as low as 15. That’s not a bad ceiling or floor for a defenceman of his nature that’s real value comes in a defensive capacity.
Trent’s Thoughts
6’7, 252lbs Defender at 2-Years $5MAAV? Find me a GM who couldn’t find a trade partner for that player. Benning would tank his entire off-season for even just a chance at a player like this.
This is a no-brainer. Free agency should be for 2 things right now. Making sure you meet the cap and roster minimums, and signing players that will turn into assets.
Check and check.
Is this the most positive I have ever been about the Canucks?
Brendan Gallagher is a Canuck
Brendan Gallagher 50% retained for future considerations – $3.25M cap hit, expires next summer
Brayden’s Thoughts
I feel like something’s wrong with me, because I’m liking all the moves this team is making. 30+ year old proven guys, no surprises who they are or what they can do; they can plug and play with this team for nominal money.
Then best of all, the terms of these signings are all low, so even if they don’t stick around beyond 1-2 years, they can be veteran presences now to help shape the prospects that will need to step up during that time frame.
Gallagher represents another one of those smart signings by the Canucks. He’s probably the signing that has the most offensive firepower upside. He had a near 40-point season two years ago and hasn’t had a less than 20 point season since 2022-23.
Gallagher, unlike the other signings, has only ever played for one team, the Montreal Canadiens, so it will be interesting to see how he adapts to a whole new environment.
But again, the commitment is low, and this is the time for this time to try players like this. If the term was longer, maybe I wouldn’t like this deal, but you really can’t complain about something this well structured.
Trent’s Thoughts
The Canucks tried this with Evander Kane, and it went miserably. But this is a home run. Gallagher is a locker room guy and Evander was… not. This is another great bet. Gallagher is not a player you expect to turn into an asset; he is a culture guy. Bringing him into the team will only further help shed the previous cancers. It also shows the Canucks are willing to help players, to bring them home.
See that, Connor? What about you, Mack?
Home run pick up imo.
One Pettersson Gone, Marcus Pettersson Traded
Marcus Pettersson traded to the NYR for a top-10 protected 2030 First round pick.
Brayden’s Thoughts
Interesting, the Swedish GM leaves and we start clearing out the Swedish players… I don’t know what that means, but it’s something…
Real though, what this move is, is totally fine. Pettersson had a 5.5mil cap hit with four more years on his deal; he was serviceable but represented a notable chunk of change that could be better spent now as the team is restructuring. Oleksiak is now here for half the term and half the price, yes, three years older, but it’s not a huge difference when the production for the pricier one is less than the new one we just got.
This is a good move, chuck of change off the books for the next four years and a decent player gets to have a fresh start somewhere else.
Trent’s Thoughts
I am way higher on this trade than Brayden is. A player that represents a positive asset on this team was moved with an eye on the future. Gone are the days of win-now moves. This pick won’t even be made for another four entry drafts. Among those eligible for the 2030 draft is RJ Celebrini, Macklin’s brother. We lost one superstar brother; maybe we can one day poach one.
Anyways, for some quick perspective on how far a look at this trade is into the future, RJ Celebrini is currently 13-years-old. Homie is hoping to pass summer school so he can get into grade 8.
EP40 Trade?
Brayden’s Thoughts
See, I knew it. One Pettersson gone and now the sights are on the other. How do the Sedins feel about this Swedish eraser?
But in all seriousness, Pettersson finding a new start somewhere else has been long rumoured and debated. Whether it’s the Penguins or someone else, a new backdrop for this guy is needed, for the sake of both the player and the team.
His $92,800,000mil 8yr contact may be a spicy meatball to some, but another team will always be interested to see if they can help him reclaim the form he once had. And with the cap going up, his contract keeps looking better, at least off the ice.
Ultimately, I just hope the Canucks can get a decent return and don’t have to retain much or any of his contract. I’m not worried about what Pettersson stepping away from the Canucks is going to do to this team. Which, if you share that feeling, I think tells you everything you need to know about how it’s simply the right time for Petey to find a new home.
Trent’s Thoughts
The Canucks and Pettersson need a parting. Pettersson is likely never going to reach his ceiling in Vancouver. The relationship has soured. This relationship either ends in resentment that keeps everyone down, or a divorce. It doesn’t have to be messy, but it has to be clean.
I think he would make a great addition to the Hurricanes, or if he could be insulated enough, Montreal. But the Penguins? Why not? It’s an upgrade on the Canucks, you get to play with one of the greats and get a fresh start. Even if Pettersson doesn’t want to be there long term, he could use it as a stepping stone.
I don’t think this Pettersson contract is that unreasonable. Available centres are at a premium, and the Cap is exploding. Hell, 30-year-old Alex Tuch had suitors lined around the block for his services. He is making $10.5M until he is 38. Pettersson has three years less on his deal, is four years younger, has a higher ceiling and plays a premium position. Their pay is only $1.1M apart.
If Alex Tuch had a line around the block, I’m sure a team would take a swing on Petey.
I want to put my prediction on record again. If Pettersson gets traded, within 3 years, he will be a Selke finalist.
No interest in trading Hronek still.
Brayden’s Thoughts
Hronek still makes a lot of sense to trade. If the Canucks moved him, they’d be getting the highest-paid defenceman off their books at an AAV of 7.25m. He’s a UFA in 2032 when he will be 34, but until then he’s on the Canucks payroll.
I’m indifferent to whatever happens with Hronek. If they keep him, I think he could be a good piece to build the defence core around, and at least his price is locked in for the next 6 years. Just like with Elias Pettersson, as the cap goes up his deal will look better, so I think it’s okay either way how they move on with or without Hronek.
I would like to see the Canucks have as much capital to work with right now as humanly possible. So there is a lot of upside to finding a good deal for Hronek this year, if not this off-season. But at the end of the day, you need to ice a team, and Hronek isn’t bad on it.
Trent’s Thoughts
This is driving me nuts.
Ah, here are the Canucks I know.
The Canucks apparently have no interest in cashing in their biggest token. Hronek rocks, I love him, but what the hell do we think he’s going to help us do that a Luke Schenn can’t do? Unless the Canucks are playing hard to get, this boggles my mind.
In 2032, when Hronek’s deal expires, RJ Celebrini will be in his draft +2 year starting to recruit his brother. That’s when the rebuild will slam into high gear, and Hronek will be gearing up to leave. What are we doing here, folks?
I am sure he is a great guy, good in the room, but we are sitting on a 1RHD making $7.25M? In this economy? He could fetch more than Quinn Hughes did on the trade market. He absolutely has to be on the block if this team is serious about a rebuild.
That said, I love Hronek. I think he is a great player and far and away our best defender. He proved this year he wasn’t just a Quinn Hughes merchant; he was a force in his own right. I will miss him on the Canucks, but he is simply too valuable as an asset to be sentimental with.
To Wrap It Up
Ignoring the good vibes that are bubbling up around yet another Canucks new beginning, on paper this team is still kind of a mess. But a lot of these moves over the summer have made the right first steps in cleaning up the club.
As you can tell by now, both of us are very high on a lot of these signings. They’re either no-brainers or harmless with strong upside and little risk.
While we both feel strongly that EP40 needs a new team and Hronek would be best positioned on the trade market as opposed to on the blueline, there is a lot this team has done since the end of last season that has been encouraging to see.
As the Sedin’s said at their presser after the management shake-up, the quickest way to do (rebuild) this is slowly. Right now it seems like the team is making moves with that idea at the top of mind.