AI Predicts the Season

[Cornuck]

TL;DR - pretty much what we've been saying all along.

Playoff Outlook

Preseason odds: ESPN rates the Canucks at a Stanley Cup odds of +6000 and a pre-playoff ranking of 21st, signaling modest expectations overall.

Optimistic forecasts: The HockeyWriters’ “3 Bold Predictions” foresee a bounce-back: Elias Pettersson hitting 100 points, Filip Chytil staying healthy and scoring 30 goals, and the team securing a playoff spot as a division seed—possibly finishing third behind the Oilers and Golden Knights, pushing out the Kings.

Verdict: The Canucks are on the playoff bubble. With health, stability, and timely contributions from key players, they could break into the postseason.

Key Players to Step Up

Elias Pettersson

Had an underwhelming 2024–25 with just 45 points in 64 games, hampered by knee trouble and limited offseason prep.
Expectations are high: a 100-point season is not out of reach if he stays healthy and regains form.
The Hockey Writers

Filip Chytil

Arrived midseason from NY Rangers, but battled concussions and only played a handful of games.
If he finally stays healthy, he could be a dynamic second-line center and is pegged by analysts to approach 30 goals.

Quinn Hughes

The Norris finalist and team captain—arguably the Canucks’ most indispensable asset.
The Hockey Writers
Rumors swirl about his desire to join NJ and links to a possible trade. Vancouver must actively secure or move him before the situation destabilizes the team.
New York Post

Players Who Could Regress

Elias Pettersson must rebound sharply or risk another setback—his injury and inconsistency last season were warning signs.

Chytil’s health remains a concern; another concussion could derail not just his season, but the team’s hopes.

Goaltending depth: Thatcher Demko is locked in on a 3‑year extension, but trading away AHL standout Šilovs—a 2025 Calder Cup MVP and Playoff MVP—removes a top backup or future starter.

Pacific Division Matchups

If the Canucks maintain health and form:

Edmonton & Vegas likely lead the division, but Vancouver could remain competitive and challenge for third.
The Kings may be the team most vulnerable to being bumped from a playoff spot.
Consistency is key—how they stack up against these rivals likely hinges on early-season cohesion and injury luck.
Roster Stability & Offseason Moves

Big extensions granted to core players:

Brock Boeser: 7‑year deal (~$50.75M)
Thatcher Demko: 3‑year, $25.5M
Conor Garland: 6‑year, $36M


Offseason acquisitions:

Added depth: Pierre‑Olivier Joseph (D), Mackenzie MacEachern (FW), Joe LaBate, Jimmy Schuldt, plus draft picks like Braeden Cootes (C) and Alexei Medvedev (G)

Completed Trades & Acquisitions

Evander Kane
Acquired from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a 4th‑round pick (117th overall) in the NHL Draft.
At 33, Kane brings size, physicality, net-front presence, and proven goal scoring—though he'll carry a $5.125 million cap hit for the year.

Ilya Safonov
Obtained from the Chicago Blackhawks on June 28, 2025, in exchange for future considerations.

Arturs Šilovs, the AHL playoff MVP, was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins on July 13, 2025, in exchange for:

Chase Stillman
A 4th‑round pick in 2027

Dakota Joshua
Traded to the Toronto Maple leaves on July 17, 2025, for a 4th‑round pick in 2028.

Other additions on shorter deals include:

• Pierre‑Olivier Joseph
  Mackenzie MacEachern
  Joseph LaBate
  Jimmy Schuldt

Plus internal signings of prospects like Aatu Räty, Max Sasson, Arshdeep Bains, Nikita Tolopilo, Jett Woo, Braeden Cootes, Alexei Medvedev, and Vitali Kravtsov

Significant Departures (Free Agency & Trades)

Players lost to free agency:

Pius Suter (signed with St. Louis Blues)
Noah Juulsen (Flyers)
Phillip Di Giuseppe, Cole McWard, Sammy Blais, and others moved on.
Dakota Joshua was traded out; Arturs Šilovs, a promising goaltending piece, also departed via trade (see above).

Rumored & Possible Future Moves in Play
Second-Line Center Search

The Canucks have cooled on pursuing UFA Jack Roslovic, shifting instead to the trade market for a more sustainable solution.
They're actively "kicking tires" on potential center-for-center trades and would reportedly make a deal today if it yields a credible middle-six center.
NHL Trade Rumors

However, reports indicate the team may start the season with its current center group, which includes Elias Pettersson, Filip Chytil, Aatu Räty, and Teddy Blueger.

High-Risk Trade Targets

To address the center deficiency more aggressively, the Canucks have reportedly considered swinging risky trades involving names like Trevor Zegras and Mika Zibanejad, though such moves could deplete future assets.
The Times of India

Quinn Hughes Trade Rumblings

Defensive stalwart Quinn Hughes is reportedly drawing interest from the New Jersey Devils.

A potential trade package under discussion includes prospects Simon Nemec or Seamus Casey, Anton Silayev, Arseni Gritsyuk, a first-round pick, and Dawson Mercer—a move that would significantly reshape both teams.
New York Post

Summary Table
Category Transactions & Rumors
Trades Completed Acquired: Evander Kane, Ilya Safonov, Chase Stillman
Departed: Šilovs, Joshua
Free-Agent Moves Signed: Boeser, Garland, Demko, Joseph, MacEachern, LaBate, Schuldt, + multiple prospects
Departures Suter, Juulsen, Di Giuseppe, McWard, Blais via free agency; Šilovs, Joshua via trade
Trade Rumors Center pursuit (not Roslovic), possible deals for Zibanejad/Zegras, Quinn Hughes interest

Cap management & center depth:

Interest in Jack Roslovic cooled. The team shifted focus toward finding a long-term center solution via trade.
The Times of India

Marco Rossi is on the radar—but also of interest to Seattle.

Challenges to Watch

• Quinn Hughes situation—Will he stay or be traded? His absence would create a huge hole both on the blue line and in leadership.
  
  Health concerns—especially for Pettersson and Chytil—could derail momentum.
  
  Goaltending depth—Šilovs’ departure reduces insurance behind Demko.
  
  Limited cap flexibility may make upgrading center depth tricky without creative deals.

Reasons for Optimism

Core retention—extensions for Demko, Boeser, Garland bolster stability.

Emerging talent—players like Max Sasson and Linus Karlsson, fresh off Calder Cup success, may contribute as mid-season call-ups.

Coaching reset with Adam Foote could revitalize systems, energy, and offensive output.

High ceiling performances—if Pettersson and Chytil deliver, and the team gels, playoff positioning is very much on the table.

Summary: 2025–26 Outlook Table

Category Prediction / Key Factor

Playoff Chances: Bubble team; health + production = playoffs, else likely miss
Stars Who Must Deliver: Pettersson, Chytil, and Hughes (if retained)
Vulnerabilities: Injuries, depth, goaltending backup, trade uncertainty
Division Dynamics: Can contend for third; must outperform Kings/Flames in tight races
Looking Ahead: Coaching change, contract continuity, prospect impact

[Cousin Strawberry]

What the fuck is 'The Times of India' and why is it subliminally injected into this article?

[Chef Boi RD]

Mushy Middle

I agree about the Hughes watch. Chef believes he’s Jersey bound

[Megaterio Llamas]

Mushy Middle

I agree about the Hughes watch. Chef believes he’s Jersey bound

That's what playing the short game gets you.

This franchise is serious about mediocrity.

[Chef Boi RD]

Aqualini’s are always about the short game. They are playing craps with this club, have been all along.

[Ronning's Ghost]

If they have serious doubts about the ability to resign Hughes, then getting fair trade value for him is the next best thing.

A patient ownership/management group (agreed: not the ones the Canucks have) could -- on a future-focused trade deal -- parlay that into a contender. Remember how well the Nordique/Avalanche did out of trading away Lindros.

Maybe Rutherford or Allvin could get Francesco to sign off on something forward-looking while he's drunk.

I mean, if we're going to keep trying to be optimistic...

[Megaterio Llamas]

If they have serious doubts about the ability to resign Hughes, then getting fair trade value for him is the next best thing.

A patient ownership/management group (agreed: not the ones the Canucks have) could -- on a future-focused trade deal -- parlay that into a contender. Remember how well the Nordique/Avalanche did out of trading away Lindros.

Maybe Rutherford or Allvin could get Francesco to sign off on something forward-looking while he's drunk.

I mean, if we're going to keep trying to be optimistic...

Well, that's optimistic, alright, RG

[Chef Boi RD]

We need to start trading pound for pound instead of watered down quantity like we’ve seen with the Miller and Horvat returns that decimated our core. If we are trading Hughes we need to look for an equal level in return - player for player instead of player for a package of so-so’s. Just my two bits.

[Ronning's Ghost]

We need to start trading pound for pound instead of watered down quantity like we’ve seen with the Miller and Horvat returns that decimated our core. If we are trading Hughes we need to look for an equal level in return - player for player instead of player for a package of so-so’s. Just my two bits.

There aren't many other teams that have a Norris Trophy quality defenceman (Hart, Selke, Lindsay, Richard...) to send back in trade, and I don't know that any of the ones who do are looking at the same challenges in re-signing them, so the only way I see to get equivalent value is multiple high-quality future chances, either very promising high-ceiling young players or high draft picks, or a combination thereof, and hope that at least one of those approximates Hughes' value. If two hit, or one surpasses, or they get close while still on cheap contracts, then you won the trade -- at the cost of waiting a couple of seasons.

I agree that there's no point in trading Hughes for half a dozen journeymen who are scant upgrades on what the Canucks have in those positions now.

[Chef Boi RD]

We need to start trading pound for pound instead of watered down quantity like we’ve seen with the Miller and Horvat returns that decimated our core. If we are trading Hughes we need to look for an equal level in return - player for player instead of player for a package of so-so’s. Just my two bits.

There aren't many other teams that have a Norris Trophy quality defenceman (Hart, Selke, Lindsay, Richard...) to send back in trade, and I don't know that any of the ones who do are looking at the same challenges in re-signing them, so the only way I see to get equivalent value is multiple high-quality future chances, either very promising high-ceiling young players or high draft picks, or a combination thereof, and hope that at least one of those approximates Hughes' value. If two hit, or one surpasses, or they get close while still on cheap contracts, then you won the trade -- at the cost of waiting a couple of seasons.

I agree that there's no point in trading Hughes for half a dozen journeymen who are scant upgrades on what the Canucks have in those positions now.

I didn’t say it has to be a no. 1 Defenceman coming back, any position, as long as the returning asset is an elite level star player, of any position. The “meh” return packages (quantity) just simply waters down the overall talent level of the team.

[Hockey Widow]

Anyone really thing Aqua would sign off on a Hughes trade???

[Per]

What the fuck is 'The Times of India' and why is it subliminally injected into this article?

According to wikipedia:
"The Times of India is an Indian English-language daily newspaper and digital news media owned and managed by the Times Group. It is the third-largest newspaper in India by circulation and largest selling English-language daily in the world."

I'm not sure about their hockey credentials though.

[Chef Boi RD]

Anyone really thing Aqua would sign off on a Hughes trade???

Well, if Hughes is giving the brass the vibe that he wants to go to market then moving him is make or break for this franchise. I guess if he don’t sign off we risk losing him for nothing. There’s always that….possibility.

[Tciso]

Eeew. So this is what we get when AI blends all the "insiders" and analysts together into a warm, mushy thought soup. I'll wait until mcp or another poster kicks off the season with some real analysis.

[dangler]

Mushy Middle

I agree about the Hughes watch. Chef believes he’s Jersey bound

I'm not so sure on that Chef.
What's Quinn's next contract? $13M aav?
What kind of roster surgery would Jersey have to do to make that kind of space, taking upcoming re-signings that they have into consideration?