The  Calder Cup banner is now hanging in the rafters, and the season is well underway.

The issue? The Abbotsford Canucks have dropped four straight and have endured a mass exodus of talent. With injuries piling up by the game in Vancouver, Abbotsford’s backend has been depleted. But that’s the nature of a development league such as the AHL, and the show must go on. Manny Malhotra must make the necessary adjustments and run with what’s available to him.

Next on the docket, the Canucks will host the Calgary Wranglers in their first of 12 matchups this year for their first mid-week set of the season. The Wranglers enter the Abbotsford Centre with an even record of 2-2-2-0, having split their last two-game set against the Coachella Valley Firebirds.

Given the division-heavy nature of the AHL schedule, the Canucks and Wranglers are a common matchup throughout each season.

Last season, the Canucks made out with a slate to finish with a 5-5-0-2 record through the team’s 12 games. Over the last five seasons, the two teams have gone back and forth, with the Canucks sporting a 16-14-3-3 record.

The Abbotsford Canucks have struggled mightily to score through six games, posting just 12 goals to sit in the bottom five in that regard. The Wranglers, however, sit in the top 10 with 20 goals scored in the early season. If there was any positive to the Abbotsford season, it’s their special teams. Going 5/21 on the season for 23.81% (10th). Meanwhile, the Wranglers have gone just 3/21 for 14.29% on the early season. On the penalty kill, the Canucks have allowed just three goals in 18 attempts for an 83.33% on the year. Calgary has allowed six goals on 21 kills to sit near the bottom at 71.43%.

While it may not be the best indication of where the team is currently, the Duncan, BC native is having a strong start to the season, leading the team in scoring (since Kirill Kudryavtsev is not presently on the roster) with two goals and two assists. He’s been looked at as one of the team’s go-to options upfront, and will need to continue providing offence for a struggling group.

Having returned to the lineup on Sunday, Ty Mueller will be looked at as the team’s top-line centre. No matter the situation, he will be carrying a heavy load and will need to carry the team all week.

After being signed mid-week and joining the team before Friday’s banner-raising game, Arnaud Durandeau made his Abbotsford debut. Despite failing to register any points, he had a decent debut, showcasing a relentless motor and solid skating ability.

Sawyer Mynio has seen his minutes steadily increase with nearly every game, and he should be looked at as a major factor during this two-game set. Having gotten himself on the power play unit over the last week, there’s a chance that Mynio slides in as the team’s go-to quarterback for the time being.

Jett Woo (upper body): Injured during the 2025 Calder Cup run, which he played through. Woo is listed as month-to-month.

Guillaume Brisebois (lower body): The full extent of the injury is unknown, but he is expected to miss significant time, with a possible return not anticipated until early 2026.

Nikita Tolopilo (lower body): Nikita Tolopilo left Friday’s game after sliding over to make a miraculous glove save before getting his leg tangled awkwardly. Although he initially remained in the game, he left shortly thereafter and did not return. It is unclear what his status is, but Ty Young and Jiri Patera may be brought in to give him a rest.

A significant chunk of Abbotsford’s core is currently with the big club, including: Arshdeep Bains, Max Sasson, Linus Karlsson, Jonathan Lekkerimäki (injured), Aatu Räty, Nils Åman, Victor Mancini (injured), Kirill Kudryavtsev and Tom Willander

They will see just two days’ rest after the mid-week set, as they host the Henderson Silver Knights for a weekend back-to-back on Saturday and Sunday at the Abbotsford Centre.

Vitali Kravtsov – Ty Mueller – Danila Klimovich
Jujhar Khaira – Chase Wouters – Chase Stillman
Anri Ravinskis – Cooper Walker – Ben Berard
Vilmer Alriksson – Jakson Kunz – Mackenzie MacEachern
Josh Bloom – Arnaud Durandeau – Dino Kambeitz

Jimmy Schuldt – Joe Arntsen
Sawyer Mynio – Nikolai Knyzhov
Derek Daschke – Jayden Lee

Ty Young
Jiri Patera