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JPat’s Monday Canucks Mailbag: Could Dakota Joshua address the need for size at centre ice?
Jeff Paterson's weekly Vancouver Canucks mailbag.
Jeff Paterson
Jun 2, 2025, 10:00 EDTUpdated: Jun 2, 2025, 12:27 EDT
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A new week in a new month and it’s time for another Monday mailbag. Do you realize by this time next month the framework for the Vancouver Canucks roster could very well be in place? With the NHL Draft now just weeks away and beyond that free agency, we’re not far from off-season fireworks. Of course, before then, the Stanley Cup will be presented. And closer to home, the Calder Cup is a distinct possibility. While we await some of the biggest days on the hockey calendar, we’ll answer some of your Canucks-related questions in this week’s mailbag. Let’s start with an outside the box suggestion to address the Canucks woes at centre ice:
On the surface, I kind of like this suggestion. A big body that could match-up against other sizeable centres in the Pacific Division is exactly what the Canucks need. Now, Dakota Joshua has played almost all of his minutes in his three seasons in Vancouver as a winger. But he is listed on NHL.com as a centre.
And he did win the majority of the face-offs he took last season. Joshua went 23 & 19 (54.8%) in the circle in 2024-25 and in his three season in Vancouver, he has won 51% of his draws — even if the volume of face-offs taken is somewhat limited (just 157 in three seasons). Now there is a lot more to playing centre in the NHL than just winning face-offs.
There are defensive strategies, match-up responsibilities and, of course, you need to be able to carry and distribute the puck. Joshua has a solid skill set and could probably adapt to the position change. However, it’s not something the Canucks have toyed with to this point so I’m not expecting to see the 29-year-old arrive for camp and be slotted in the middle. The Canucks also need Joshua’s size and physicality on the wings. So as much as I wouldn’t mind seeing this experiment with my own eyes, I’d anticipate Dakota Joshua still playing the wing next season.
Well, Jordan, sorry to break it to you, but the veteran defenceman has a full no movement clause for the entirety of the 2025-26 NHL season. That becomes a 12-team no trade list a year from now when there will be just one year left on his three-year contract. I’d quibble with your assertion that Myers is expendable. While it’s true that both Victor Mancini and Tom Willander are enticing NHL prospects, due to their inexperience, it’s unlikely they’ll get into games together.
So Tyler Myers still has a role to play on the Canucks’ blueline next season. If the two newbies progress as hoped, perhaps there is a world in which Myers’ ice time diminishes as the season unfolds. But as things stand right now, Filip Hronek and Tyler Myers sit 1-2 on the right defence depth chart. Myers is a popular teammate, part of the leadership group and has prospered under Adam Foote over the past couple of seasons. I don’t see that changing any time soon.
I’m definitely Team ‘just want to see great hockey’ and expect that we will. I just wish we didn’t all have to wait until Wednesday to get the Final going. I’m prepared for Connor McDavid to win a Stanley Cup. If that happens, it means Troy Stetcher wins one, too. And I’m excited for that possibility. Then again, if Florida goes back to back, that’s a remarkable accomplishment in the salary cap era. And it would mean that Roberto Luongo gets another ring. I’m not taking sides here and I’m not making any predictions. I just hope that the series lives up to its potential because both the Oilers and Panthers have looked impressive throughout these playoffs.
First things first, I need to see a fully healthy Filip Chytil show up at training camp and I’m sure I’m not alone hoping that happens. When in the line-up and on top of his game, Chytil has shown to be a tantalizing package of size, skill and speed. In his brief time with the Canucks, he showed how effective he can be transporting the puck through the neutral zone.
I just don’t think the Canucks can head into the season with Chytil as their second line centre option. So I hope they find someone to slide in ahead of him on the depth chart and let Chytil prove himself and earn his opportunities. I can see a world in which he centres a third line and also sees power play duty. If he proves he’s more than a 3C, that’s a win for the Canucks. But with his injury history, it’s hard to slot him in higher in the line-up and expect that he’ll be able to play all 82 games.
Certainly rumoured names like Luke Richardson, Bob Bougner and Kevin Dean all carry a profile much like new head coach Adam Foote. All were defencemen during their playing days and have spent time coaching that side of the game. But the Canucks have stated for the record that they are looking for someone to help with offence and until they have filled their coaching vacancies, I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt that they are still seeking a coach with that background. Of course, Yogi Svejkovsky was a scorer in his playing days and he’s expected to be retained, and the Sedins are still on staff and will likely be involved again next season. So it’s not as if there are no offensive minds on the payroll. 
Everything you say about the team’s goal prevention plans is accurate. But there’s also the issue of making and keeping Quinn Hughes happy. And I highly doubt the dynamic captain would be on board for going ‘full-on Lemaire’ as you suggest. Hughes needs to be able to thrive and putting limits on the way he approaches and plays the game feels criminal.
Also, the notion of going full-on Lemaire sounds boring and I doubt the fanbase would buy in. Plus, as much as the team might try to defend its way to success using that kind of system next season, there’s always the issue of the other team scoring a couple of goals. And then what? The Canucks know they need to beef up their offensive capabilities. Sitting back and trying to win 1-0 and 2-1 sounds horrible and it’s a plan I simply can not endorse. Hopefully the Canucks feel the same way.

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