Recent articles from Jeff Paterson

Do you think the Canucks should adopt the strategy of signing young players they believe in to long contracts when they’re able, and if so, what current players would you consider doing that with in the next few years?

11:34 PM · Jul 18, 2026

Sure, it almost always makes sense in the long run to go long-term with top prospects coming off their entry-level deals. Now, not every prospect is going to pan out, so there is certainly risk involved. But if teams want cost certainty, they’re usually wise to make an early investment in a young player and take some of the financial hit up front so that when the player blossoms, the club has a value deal on its hands and on the books. But it’s easy to say ‘do long-term deals.’

As we’ve seen recently with Simon Nemec in Calgary, Pavel Mintyukov in Anaheim and even Connor Bedard over the weekend in Chicago, young players seem to be seeking flexibility over security in the NHL’s new financial world. All three players left significant money on the table and took five year deals to ensure they get paid, but also setting themselves up to cash in even further on their next contracts. It also provides them options in the event their teams haven’t made the necessary strides to be competitive by the end of those deals. So as much as teams may want young players to sign maximum-term deals to ensure cost-certainty, we’re seeing young players take control of the process in ways they hope will benefit them further down the road.

As for the Canucks, Zeev Buium, defenceman Elias Pettersson and Liam Öhgren are all entering the final years of their ELCs and are eligible for extensions now. Jonathan Lekkerimäki is in the same boat, but likely needs to use next season to boost his bargaining power. And a year from now, Tom Willander will be extension eligible. If the Canucks believe in those players as part of the new core of the hockey club, it would serve them well to get some signatures on lengthy contracts as quickly as possible.

It would also eliminate the threat of offer sheets in many cases (Buium is not offer sheet eligible). But with negotiations, it’s never simply what one side wants. And with the organization needing to show the players its vision for a brighter future, don’t be surprised to see a few of the young prospects take a wait and see approach before agreeing to lock in for the long haul. If they believe in themselves and become the players they think they’re going to be, they can leave a little money on the table for now and make it all back — and then some — down the road.

Danny Whittaker

@AnimalBeatDrums

Who is going to get the loudest cheers upon their return to Vancouver? Who won't?

7:06 PM · Jul 17, 2026

This sort of feels like a ‘return to Vancouver’ power ranking question. If so, I’m going to go off the board a little and say Kiefer Sherwood. Although he wasn’t a Canuck for long, he gave the organization absolutely everything he had and then helped the rebuild on his way out the door to San Jose. Plus he has a very chantable name which I’d imagine fans will put to good use when the Sharks make their first visit next season on Saturday December 19th. Tyler Myers deserves his flowers, too.

Things got off to a rocky start for Myers in Vancouver, but as he settled in on the West Coast he became a leader and a voice of reason in a dysfunctional locker room. He was a consummate professional during trying times for the hockey club and should be greeted with enthusiasm. Quinn Hughes should get saluted heartily for his years of service and his exemplary on-ice performance as a Canuck. But it’s complicated for some fans, and I fully understand that. That’s why he’s not at the top of this list. Conor Garland, based on the amount of time he spent here along with the amount of spins he did in the offensive zone, ought to be welcomed back warmly.

Then you get to Nils Höglander, Marcus Pettersson and Teddy Blueger who all deserve solid rounds of applause for their varying contributions. Evander Kane and Derek Forbort have yet to sign anywhere which makes their returns uncertain at this stage. Oh, and Adam Foote will get a quick Jumbotron thank you when Utah rolls through town. Hopefully, fans will remember his solid work as an assistant coach fondly, and we can all pretend like last season never happened.

Simon Hunter

@SimonHunter_

What’s the best away trip for fans?

6:42 PM · Jul 17, 2026

There are so many good places to take in National Hockey League games. I’d highly recommend the Bell Centre in Montreal. It never disappoints. From the sheer size of the building to the game night atmosphere to the history of hockey in that city, you can’t go wrong taking in a Habs home game. For game presentation, Vegas is at the top of the list. The Knights understood the assignment from Day 1 and made a spectacle of warm-up with showgirls behind the nets to the mythical pregame on-ice sword fight. Traditionalists may have an issue with some or all of it, but I think it’s terrific.

Madison Square Garden is another must-visit building if you’re looking to catch a road game and if you’re thinking of making a trip, then why not both New York teams and New Jersey? You keep the same Manhattan hotel room, walk to MSG and take the train to the other arenas. The other place I’d put high on my list is Nashville. Hockey may not be the priority if you’re making a trek to Music City, but the atmosphere at Bridgestone Arena is good fun, and its location at the top of Broadway allows you to spill out of the rink and puts you in the heart of one of the great entertainment districts on the planet.

Tim Spindlove

@tspindlove

Where are Canucks games going to be broadcast? I think there was some talk years ago about Canucks bringing that in-house. Wonder if that’s a direction they’ll go?

11:20 PM · Jul 18, 2026