When Demko is healthy/on his game he's Vezina-calibre. Aren't going to get that from Lanks. He can steal games come playoffs. If he's willing to sign for a discount, he's definitely worth keeping.
- York Newbury

Unfortunately, Demko simply can't be relied on. He's just never healthy when it counts - regardless of his vezina potential. And that trophy doesn't guarantee anything - ask Hellybuck and the Jets or SHersy and the Rags.

The truth is we don't know yet what Lankinen is capable of - he sure as sh&t can steal games so to rule him out is purely speculative.

Adin Hill, Kuemper, Bennington all got cups being nowhere near Vezina level.

Unfortunately, Demko simply can't be relied on. He's just never healthy when it counts - regardless of his vezina potential. And that trophy doesn't guarantee anything - ask Hellybuck and the Jets or SHersy and the Rags.

The truth is we don't know yet what Lankinen is capable of - he sure as sh&t can steal games so to rule him out is purely speculative.

Adin Hill, Kuemper, Bennington all got cups being nowhere near Vezina level.
- Brooks_Light

You don't trade Demko for $5M in cap space, you absolutely need to see a good return. If he's willing to extend cheaply then you do it.

You don't trade Demko for $5M in cap space, you absolutely need to see a good return. If he's willing to extend cheaply then you do it.
- golfingsince

I certainly didn't say that's the only reason - his health is obviously the main catalyst + unreliability + he's the most valuable trade asset we have.
But the Cap space helps. Especially if we use it to fill the 2C or Top 6W gap.

I certainly didn't say that's the only reason - his health is obviously the main catalyst + unreliability + he's the most valuable trade asset we have.
But the Cap space helps. Especially if we use it to fill the 2C or Top 6W gap.

- Brooks_Light

Honestly, trading Lanky and going with Demko/Silovs isn't the worst thing in the world, there's no good UFA 2Cs or Top 6 wingers that would sign for what we'd offer

That's surprisingly not much. For a 23yr who's near hitting 30 goals.

Doan's barely an NHLer and Kesselring's a young Tyler Myers.
- Brooks_Light

Doan is their future captain and the young RHD they got fills a huge hole that they mistakenly tried to fit Byram in. This trade is either going to go down as a great hockey trade or it’s going to age poorly for Utah.

Honestly, trading Lanky and going with Demko/Silovs isn't the worst thing in the world, there's no good UFA 2Cs or Top 6 wingers that would sign for what we'd offer
- DariusKnight

Zero chance they trade Lanky. ZERO!!!

Zero chance they trade Lanky. ZERO!!!
- CanuckDon

That's one hell of a backup goalie for $4.5M

That's one hell of a backup goalie for $4.5M
- golfingsince

That’s the future. We are paying $9.5MM for goaltending and Florida is paying $11.5MM. There is zero (frank)ing chance they will roll the dice on a battered Demko and trash Silovs. Not to mention they promised Lanky that he wouldn’t be traded after if he commited long term. Use your brains gents

I don't think they can compete this next year, but they can get themselves back in the playoff mix. Then they can build from there. Takes more than a year to build a contender, hopefully a few smart moves in the next couple years and they're in the game.
- York Newbury

I don't know. Some teams have made some savvy moves on and off ice throughout the season, found some chemistry late, their goalie gets hot at right time, contender. Not saying it's a recipe for a cup but throw in some luck and maybe.

We on here have been preaching draft management, draft equity, draft, draft, blah for years. It ain't going to happen with this franchise so I'm just going to embrace the freewheeling, chaotic, shot in the dark management style that I've watched since forever.

Our best Canuck teams were built through big, crazy trades. Even the twins were a result of a crazy trade. Roberto Luongo, trade. The entire Westcoast Express, trade. The 91 trade.

Saying all that, some of our team's darkest moments resulted from trades. But who gives a fuck. Roll dem dice.

That’s the future. We are paying $9.5MM for goaltending and Florida is paying $11.5MM. There is zero (frank)ing chance they will roll the dice on a battered Demko and trash Silovs. Not to mention they promised Lanky that he wouldn’t be traded after if he commited long term. Use your brains gents
- CanuckDon

I have no issues with paying Lankinen to play what I assume is a minimum of 30 games per season. I would keep 3 goalies if it came to it, because they have 3 quality goalies. One needs a bit more seasoning, one needs a bit more health and I believe one needs competition and a break.

Canucks fans fan were calling Spencer Maryin a future #1 goalie, a couple years ago, Casey DeSmith was a great backup, now they get a proven backup, that was signed for way too much, as well as being a cast off that no-one would sign, is now a top goalie that should be untouchable.

Can't make this shit up.

Canucks fans fan were calling Spencer Maryin a future #1 goalie, a couple years ago, Casey DeSmith was a great backup, now they get a proven backup, that was signed for way too much, as well as being a cast off that no-one would sign, is now a top goalie that should be untouchable.

Can't make this shit up.
- Nuckerwhatever

I hope you are ok

Canucks fans fan were calling Spencer Maryin a future #1 goalie, a couple years ago, Casey DeSmith was a great backup, now they get a proven backup, that was signed for way too much, as well as being a cast off that no-one would sign, is now a top goalie that should be untouchable.

Can't make this shit up.
- Nuckerwhatever

Lankinen played 51 games last year and was pretty good. Having a backup goalie that can handle a load like that is unreal. I wouldn't say he's untouchable, just worth what he's being paid.

The Canucks are definitely building their team from the net out, which I like. The team is going to struggle to score consistently IMO so having depth in net and on the blue line is imperative.

Here's my canucks ufa day moment

Sundin 2.0

Canucks sign John Tavares to a 3 year 30 mill deal

Sounds like the Connor Garland extension in Vancouver could be 6 years and 36 million dollars - Dhali

Here's my canucks ufa day moment

Sundin 2.0

Canucks sign John Tavares to a 3 year 30 mill deal
- Jkuzzi

I had that thought as well, would be a great fit for 2c here.
But he's committed to Toronto, he'll sign for a discount there for the family.

I had that thought as well, would be a great fit for 2c here.
But he's committed to Toronto, he'll sign for a discount there for the pyjamas .
- dbot

I had that thought as well, would be a great fit for 2c here.
But he's committed to Toronto, he'll sign for a discount there for the family.
- dbot

I think they were saying Toronto wants to give him like 5 and he wants 10

I think they were saying Toronto wants to give him like 5 and he wants 10
- Jkuzzi

8.5 it is.

- Shuswap Wap

Bringing Tavares here makes almost zero sense. Then again we have Kane now.

Sounds like the Connor Garland extension in Vancouver could be 6 years and 36 million dollars - Dhali
- dbot

If he signs for 6, by year 3 of this extension his cap hit % would be lower than his current contract, and the starting value of 6 mil is already lower than the first year of the last contract he signed in Van, seems like good value.

If he signs for 6, by year 3 of this extension his cap hit % would be lower than his current contract, and the starting value of 6 mil is already lower than the first year of the last contract he signed in Van, seems like good value.
- NorthNuck

Gonna look great playing with Kane and Tavares

If he signs for 6, by year 3 of this extension his cap hit % would be lower than his current contract, and the starting value of 6 mil is already lower than the first year of the last contract he signed in Van, seems like good value.
- NorthNuck

Traded for him, couldn't give him away, loved him and now resigned him for 6 years.
It's very Canucks.

From the Athletic:

As the 2025 NHL Draft approaches, the Vancouver Canucks hold the 15th pick and would prefer to move it for a centre to bolster their top six.

The Canucks are in on everybody. Name a player you’ve seen on The Athletic’s trade board, and you’re safe to assume that Vancouver has at least checked in and kicked the tires.

Vancouver, it seems, is casting a wide net in an effort to further upgrade its forward group following the acquisition of Evander Kane this week. The Canucks had conversations with the Buffalo Sabres, for example, about JJ Peterka prior to the high-scoring winger being dealt to the Utah Mammoth, but the acquisition cost was deemed too prohibitive.
What You Should Read Next
Why the Canucks rolled the dice on Evander Kane, and what comes next
Why the Canucks rolled the dice on Evander Kane, and what comes next
Kane joins his hometown team with a fair bit of baggage accumulated over a lengthy NHL career.

The Canucks are in the mix on disgruntled Minnesota Wild centre Marco Rossi, and are expected to remain solidly in that bidding if he does indeed shake loose between now and when the market opens on July 1. It’s worth noting that Vancouver doesn’t view Rossi’s size as a concern. Even if he’s 5-9, Rossi’s stocky build and relentless attitude when battling in the dirty areas of the ice are viewed as of more consequence than his lack of length and height.

As of late Thursday evening, team sources weren’t exactly sure how to handicap whether a trade involving the 15th pick was likely to happen. Potential sellers are unusually reluctant, relative to most years, to swap out their active contributors for futures-based packages in trades.

That’s the complicating factor that Vancouver is currently navigating, the roadblock that it’s bumping into with the draft rapidly approaching.

Rick Dhaliwal and Thomas Drance worked the phones to try to get a handle on the Canucks’ plans and options as this critical date in the NHL’s offseason calendar arrives. Here’s what we’re hearing.
The No. 15 pick

The Canucks will spend Friday turning up just about every stone they can lay their hands on in an effort to uncover a top-six centre.

While the Canucks’ strong preference is to trade out of the first round to land a contributor capable of helping them immediately, they’re prepared to make a selection if they’re unable to find the right deal.

If the Canucks don’t move the 15th pick on Friday, we’ve been told to keep an eye on a pair of WHL players: right-handed Seattle Thunderbirds centre Braeden Cootes and high-scoring Victoria Royals forward Cole Reschny. Cootes, in particular, is a player that the Canucks are believed to rate more highly than other teams.

Vancouver is high on a number of centres projected to be available in the middle of the first round, but we’ve also been told that there are some blueliners in this draft class whom the team is willing to strongly consider at 15, too.

Despite the sudden logjam of young blueliners on the Canucks’ back end, we believe that they would find it very difficult to pass up hard-hitting Barrie Colts blueliner Kashawn Aitcheson if he were on the board when Vancouver is on the clock.
Extension updates

The Canucks have made significant headway in extension talks with winger Conor Garland.

Team sources confirmed Thursday night that this one is likely to get done shortly after Garland becomes eligible to sign an extension on July 1.

We’ve heard that the terms are a six-year deal that should come in at around $6 million per season, although team sources wouldn’t confirm any numbers. Officially, the club is still “working on it.”

This new deal will formalize what’s become a pretty remarkable turnaround for Garland in Vancouver, and with this management group in particular. Garland was very much available and a regular on the trade block for the first year or so after president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford and GM Patrik Allvin took over.

Now the Canucks have come to view Garland as a dependable, high-effort player who is important to the future of this team. The sort of player that they’re comfortable locking up into his mid-30s, perhaps at the earliest possible date.

We’re also hearing that the Canucks are making headway in extension talks with Thatcher Demko. Like with Garland, Demko’s extension may not get done on July 1, but the club is hopeful that talks are trending toward an extension being agreed to sooner rather than later.

The reports at the moment are very positive on Demko, in terms of his offseason training regimen in the wake of a very difficult campaign from a durability perspective. The Canucks views Demko as a top-three goaltender in the sport when he’s healthy and in a good frame of mind, and at the moment, he is.

Obviously, there’s a significant risk involved given the season that Demko just endured, but there’s risk on any player. And not every player has the potential to go out and win you games, or maybe even an entire playoff series, by themselves, the way Demko can.

It’s notable that Vancouver prioritized extension talks with both Demko and Garland prior to the draft. It’s not that the draft was a deadline to have the framework of extensions in place, necessarily, but if the sides were far apart, and this is especially true in Demko’s case, the Canucks would’ve had to consider their options on the trade market.

Take it as a strong indication that things are progressing in a positive direction between the Canucks and Demko, but we were told on Thursday evening that AHL playoff MVP Artūrs Šilovs’ name is rather suddenly very much out there on the trade block.

Šilovs will require waivers this fall, and with Kevin Lankinen locked up long-term and things progressing toward an extension with Demko, the Canucks seem to be looking to find Šilovs a new opportunity.

Next season in the AHL, the Canucks seem to be planning to roll with a duo of Nikita Tolopilo — who will be tendered his qualifying offer on June 30, team sources confirmed — and 20-year-old puck stopper Ty Young.

Young, who was selected in the fifth round of the 2022 NHL Draft, is a favourite of former Canucks goalie coach (and current scout) Ian Clark, and the organization is extremely high on him. He appeared in 11 AHL games this season and was dominant across 22 starts in the ECHL.
Pius Suter and Brock Boeser are expected to hit the market

Brock Boeser is going to hit the open market on July 1. It’s been trending that way for a while, and it’s now all but assured.

Pius Suter is still expected to test free agency as well, although the door is still open just a crack for a possible return to Vancouver.

Boeser is going to have a ton of options on July 1. He’s well-liked around the league, and there’s a variety of teams — some of which include his former Canucks head coaches, or teammates — that will present him with attractive offers. Boeser will have short-term offers, and he’ll have offers on longer-term deals to consider as well. Does he want to go play for a winner? Does he want to go for the money? It’s his call.

While Boeser’s preference was always to remain in Vancouver, this close to free agency, the long-tenured sniper is going to see what’s out there.

As for Suter, the two sides remain in touch. They’re not talking daily and grinding away at a contract, but there’s an understanding of where both sides are at.

The next 48 hours or so could be decisive in shaping the outcome on Suter. There’s clearly a material disagreement on the valuation between the Canucks and Suter’s camp, but if the prices are too high or if Vancouver can’t complete the shopping it’s hoping to do during the draft, perhaps the Canucks decide that upping their offer to Suter is the path of least resistance.

Even then, when a player gets this close to unrestricted free agency, they start to get excited about the possibilities that may await them on July 1. So even though Suter has long wanted to remain in Vancouver, it may be too late.

Suter’s agent visited Vancouver in February and tried to spark talks, but at that juncture, the Canucks didn’t want to engage. Then Suter had his “ka-ching” goal-scoring run down the stretch, and it fundamentally changed the scope of negotiations.

Very quickly, Suter went from being willing to stay for just over $3 million, to the number getting too high for Vancouver on the eve of free agency.
Other notes

• As we noted earlier this week, Vancouver has held preliminary contract talks with Calder Cup playoff hero Sammy Blais.

Blais played out this season on an AHL deal and starred for Abbotsford in the playoffs. Now, the Canucks are strongly considering offering him an NHL contract and giving him an opportunity to make the NHL team out of training camp.

Part of those contract talks has focused on the club asking Blais to make a serious commitment to conditioning. That was a factor that cost him at training camp last year when he was on a professional tryout.

Canucks management believes in Blais as a person and as a potential everyday NHL player, but only if he can make that commitment. There’s no question that he turned heads internally with what he did in Abbotsford in the playoffs, and with how he conducted himself this season. At the very least, he’s put himself in a strong position to be an organizational depth piece, able to play NHL games and offer a physical edge as a call-up.

• If the Canucks are unable to find their centre upgrade on the trade market during draft weekend, one name to watch for on July 1 is Mikael Granlund. Vancouver would have to first clear out some cap space to make a competitive bid for the 33-year-old, who scored five goals and 10 points over a strong 18-game playoff run for Dallas.

• There are a pair of Utah’s pending unrestricted free agents who are very much on our radar from a Canucks perspective heading into July 1. We’ve been told to watch for the club to pursue Michael Carcone, who began his professional career as an undrafted free-agent signing by the Canucks during Mike Gillis’ tenure, and Nick Bjugstad if they make it to market.

• We were told earlier in the day on Thursday that the Canucks hadn’t expressed significant interest in New Jersey Devils centre Cody Glass, who isn’t expected to be tendered a qualifying offer.

While we sense that Glass isn’t central to Vancouver’s planning down the middle, team sources cautioned us on Thursday evening that we shouldn’t rule out the club making a push for any centre that may be available on the market on July 1.

• There was some smoke on Thursday evening linking the Canucks to Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram. It isn’t easy to see how Byram would fit into Vancouver’s plans given the raw numbers game on the back end, but league sources indicated the Canucks remain in pursuit of the former Vancouver Giants blueliner.

There’s a through line one can draw from Kane to Garland to Demko and perhaps to Byram. The Canucks are placing a serious premium on pursuing (or extending) players that want to play in Vancouver, the way Byram does.

• In addition to Šilovs, we continue to hear that forwards Dakota Joshua and Teddy Blueger could be available on the trade market if the Canucks need to open up cap space to execute something larger. Joshua has a 12-team no-trade list. He’s also dealt with a lingering hip injury, originally sustained in the latter half of this season.

• Finally, defender Noah Juulsen is still looking for a one-way contract. The door isn’t closed on Juulsen returning to Vancouver, but it’s trending toward him signing elsewhere.

This one simply comes down to the numbers game. Vancouver genuinely believes that defenders Tom Willander and Elias Pettersson will have a real shot at making the team out of training camp. The Canucks won’t know exactly where Willander and Pettersson sit in the pecking order until camp occurs, but it’s difficult to commit a one-way NHL contract to a potential eighth or ninth defender.

As the New York Islanders continue working through trade scenarios involving free-agent defenseman Noah Dobson, league sources said they are down to two potential suitors: the Montreal Canadiens and Columbus Blue Jackets.

Islanders sell off? Bo coming back?