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31 days, 31 questions: Which jobs are up for grabs heading into Canucks training camp?
Photo credit: © Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Aug 25, 2026, 14:00 EDTUpdated: Aug 24, 2026, 23:37 EDT
Welcome to a new series here at CanucksArmy, where over the month of August we’ll ask a new question each day about the Vancouver Canucks. We’re calling it “31 days, 31 questions”. Today, we’re examining which jobs are truly up for grabs heading into Canucks training camp in Penticton.
When a last-place team reassembles for a new season, there really shouldn’t be anyone who feels truly comfortable about their spot on the roster. But in today’s world of big contracts and trade protection, there are certainly a handful of locks to be in the Vancouver Canucks opening night lineup. So as the team moves closer to the September 17th start of training camp, it’s fair to ask which spots are actually available and who are the likely candidates to fill those roles?
All of these projections are based on the current roster, and things can certainly change before the team hits the ice at the South Okanagan Events Centre. If Elias Pettersson, Jake DeBrusk, Brock Boeser and Marco Rossi make up four of the team’s top six forwards, there appears to be openings at wing on each of the top two lines. Linus Karlsson and Liam Öhgren may have the inside track to those spots, but Jonathan Lekkerimäki and Drew O’Connor will certainly be pushing for those opportunities, too. And it’s possible Brendan Gallagher may get a chance to bring new energy to the mix in one of those slots. It’s also conceivable that Filip Chytil will be moved to the wing full time and earn a chance to prove he can use his speed effectively on the outside. And maybe newcomer Paul Cotter will be elevated in an attempt to inject speed and physicality to the forecheck the way Kiefer Sherwood did in his time with the Canucks. The fact the Canucks have so many options that could be both second line and fourth line options underscores the need for true game breakers in the team’s top six.
The third line centre spot seems to be designated for Aatu Räty, but he needs to put his stamp on that slot with a strong training camp. If Räty falls short, Chytil could still be viewed as a full-time centre or perhaps Max Sasson enters the conversation, although he looks like he found a home on the wing last season.
The fourth line centre position is also far from settled. If the Canucks find someone other than Räty for the 3C role, then he may get bumped down the depth chart. Big Russian Ilya Safonov will want to show well at his first Canucks training camp. Ty Mueller may do his best to force his way into consideration for a full-time job at the NHL level. Akil Thomas signed as depth, but he also clearly saw opportunity, and with his NHL experience and the fact he’s a right-handed option, the 26-year-old can’t be discounted. Of course, Braeden Cootes figures in the discussion for both the third line and fourth line centre spots even if Abbotsford is the likely best place for the 19-year-old’s development at this stage of his career.
The club’s top five slots on the defensive depth chart seem to be set with Filip Hronek, Zeev Buium, Tom Willander, Jamie Oleksiak and Elias Pettersson. That leaves veteran Luke Schenn to fend off the likes of Victor Mancini and Kirill Kudryavtsev for the sixth spot. The fact that Kudryavtsev makes just $80K at the minor league level probably works against him in his bid for full-time NHL employment.
And goaltending remains an area worth monitoring because of the many possibilities for the hockey club. Thatcher Demko’s health will dictate many of the decisions. If he’s good to go, he’ll likely be the main man in the crease. Kevin Lankinen is a capable backup, but seems to run into trouble when asked to do more than play a prescribed role. Nikita Tolopilo now requires waivers to be sent to the minors. Do the Canucks roll the dice and try to squeeze him through late in the preseason? Or do they look to mine the waiver wire for a veteran with NHL experience that could add to the organizational depth in net? Right now there are far more questions than answers about the Canucks plans in goal.
As it stands right now, it seems like the wings in the top six, the bottom two centres, the sixth defenceman and the goaltending tandem (or trio) are all spots to watch heading into camp.
What do you think, Canucks fans? Who do you think will win some of these jobs up for grabs at training camp next month? Let us know in the comments below!
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Vancouver CanucksTeam Cap Summary
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$86,185,833
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$50,576,666
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$17,814,167
$50,576,666
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23/23
13/23
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