Canucks 3 Remaining Offseason Goals to Accomplish

The Vancouver Canucks are sticking with what they know heading into the 2025-26 season, making just one major addition in Evander Kane while focusing on keeping their core intact.

The team locked up several key players early, including Brock Boeser on a seven-year deal, Thatcher Demko for three years, and Conor Garland for six years.

But there’s still work to be done.

The Canucks’ front office has three big challenges to tackle before the season starts, and none of them will be easy to solve.

First up: they’ve got a goalie problem. With Demko’s new $8.5 million deal and Kevin Lankinen making $4.5 million, they’re spending big money in net. That’s not even counting Arturs Silovs, who just won MVP in the AHL’s Calder Cup.

Here’s the catch – Silovs can’t be sent down to the minors anymore without going through waivers. Someone would definitely claim him. But getting teams to actually trade for him? That’s trickier.

The money situation isn’t looking great either. After signing Boeser to his $7.25 million deal, they’re actually about $200,000 over the cap.

"Something has to give here," one team source said. "We’re looking at all our options."

The most likely candidates for a cost-cutting trade include Teddy Blueger, Dakota Joshua, or Nils Hoglander – though none of those moves would be ideal.

But perhaps the biggest challenge is finding a way to add more scoring punch up front. The defense looks solid, maybe the best it’s been in a decade. But the forward group? That’s where things get interesting.

A lot depends on Elias Pettersson bouncing back and Filip Chytil staying healthy. If Boeser can keep scoring 30+ goals and Kane has something left in the tank, they might be okay.

But that’s a lot of "ifs."

The problem is trying to add offensive talent with no cap space and limited trade assets. It’s like trying to go shopping with empty pockets – you can look, but good luck buying anything.

For now, the Canucks will focus on what they can control: sorting out their goalie situation and getting under the salary cap. Adding more firepower? That might have to wait.