Well, that was no good. Two games. Two goals. Two outright losses. Not exactly the start the <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/combinations">Vancouver Canucks</a> were looking for out of the 4 Nations Face-Off break. 
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There are four games remaining before the NHL Trade Deadline and 25 games left on their schedule. Where things go from here is anyone’s guess. The only certainty in all of this is that when we ask for questions for the Monday mailbag, Canucks fans come through time and time again. There are so many questions about this hockey club these days. Let’s get to a new batch this week:
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Do we really want/think the canucks will make the playoffs.
&mdash; Canuck’d Up (@CanuckdUp1) <a href="https://twitter.com/CanuckdUp1/status/1893385068153889163?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2025</a></blockquote>
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After this weekend’s feeble offensive output, it feels like this team could very easily miss the post-season. Now, getting a healthy Quinn Hughes back in the lineup can change that outlook in a hurry. But there are still so many questions about the captain’s health and availability. I think it’s best to see what teams around the playoff bar – including the Canucks – do at the trade deadline before trying to handicap the race. But make no mistake, missing the playoffs is a distinct possibility unless this team scores more than it has of late, with nine goals in its past five games.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
I&#39;m not writing them off but if we get 100% healthy and are running full steam, do you think this team can at least get to the WCF? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/canucksforlife?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#canucksforlife</a>
&mdash; Chris Gelling (@cabby316) <a href="https://twitter.com/cabby316/status/1893735829626896870?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 23, 2025</a></blockquote>
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In my best Jim Mora voice: &#8216;Western Conference Final? Are you kidding me?&#8217; With this group? No. I just don’t see a path to make that happen. Even with the captain back and a goalie standing on his head, I can’t imagine this team winning two rounds of the playoffs – if they get there at all. They’d almost certainly start as the lower seed and quite possibly the second wild card. They’d have to start in Winnipeg or <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/stanchies-vancouver-canucks-waste-kevin-lankinen-3-1-loss-vegas-golden-knights">Vegas</a>. And if they somehow pulled off the unimaginable upset, they’d have to do it all again in round two. This is a team whose leading forward has 35 points right now. Even if you think the Canucks can grind out victories in the playoffs, they still need to score a few goals along the way. Dare to dream, Chris. But the third round just seems like a pipe dream for this group this year.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
What on earth do the Canucks do about their scoring issues? 
For a team that is increasing their ticket prices, this product is not exactly the most fun to watch
&mdash; Mitch Callington (@MitchCanuckss) <a href="https://twitter.com/MitchCanuckss/status/1893719219209900492?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 23, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Yeah, fun did not enter the conversation this weekend. And really, that’s been the case for a while now. We certainly have seen the grumbling online about the increase in ticket prices. And it’s fully understandable. People are being asked to shell out big bucks to watch this product. At some level, the Canucks have to recognize that they are in the entertainment business. Getting Quinn Hughes back in the lineup increases the entertainment quotient right away. Otherwise, there is an overwhelming lack of star power throughout this lineup. And that’s a massive issue on the ice and for marketing purposes. As for solving the scoring problem, it won’t be easy. There isn’t much in the pipeline beyond <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/cas-top-20-vancouver-canucks-mid-season-prospect-rankings-1-jonathan-lekkerimaki">Jonathan Lekkerimäki</a>. He can help, but this team needs more than just one promising prospect.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
When are Demko and Petey getting traded?
&mdash; Beegz (@d_beegz) <a href="https://twitter.com/d_beegz/status/1893725344240165230?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 23, 2025</a></blockquote>
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In the off-season? I don’t see either player moved before the deadline. <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/6-teams-might-want-trade-for-vancouver-canucks-demko-6-more-might-soon">Demko is injured (again)</a> and, as such, doesn’t seem like a trade piece at the moment. And who really knows what’s going on with Pettersson? I can’t see a contender thinking he’s currently a player they need for the stretch run. So, I imagine both players are here for the remainder of this season, and then all options should be on the table.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
How was Quinn even suggested as an option for Team USA in the final if he can’t play for the Canucks 48 hours later???
&mdash; Jay 🇨🇦 (@redwoodsbay) <a href="https://twitter.com/redwoodsbay/status/1893400278705025334?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2025</a></blockquote>
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It’s still unclear how Team USA coach Mike Sullivan felt comfortable enough to declare Hughes was on his way to Boston. And from that point on, it became a carnival of truths, half-truths and wild speculation about the real and legitimate health status of the Canucks captain. The bottom line in all of this is that Hughes still hasn’t been cleared to play a game, so the idea that he was ever an option for the 4 Nations final seems laughable now. It sounds like Hughes wanted to go to Boston to support his brother and the American team, but he had never made that trip. Who made that call and why? We haven’t heard from Hughes since he was officially ruled out, so we’ll see if we ever hear his side of the story. But it’s pretty clear he was – and still is – dealing with an issue that is preventing him from playing. So, was Sullivan just playing mind games and hoping to throw a scare into Canada? Who knows? But in hindsight, it all feels like a lot of drama that could have been avoided.
<blockquote class="bluesky-embed" data-bluesky-uri="at://did:plc:7jpqsxhg73q4fyexcsznvi3h/app.bsky.feed.post/3liryjkdfds2r" data-bluesky-cid="bafyreidk4vvrx64d6pqt5yos22ex44nk7slirlzihxrck4aqt4pc4gbjaq">
How many current Abby players get 20&#43; games in Vancouver next season? More of them regulars at the start of the year or at the end of it?
&mdash; <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:7jpqsxhg73q4fyexcsznvi3h?ref_src=embed">Erin Butler (@eleighbutler.bsky.social)</a> <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:7jpqsxhg73q4fyexcsznvi3h/post/3liryjkdfds2r?ref_src=embed">2025-02-22T18:53:21.780Z</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://embed.bsky.app/static/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The use of ‘current’ muddies the water a little on this one. Defencemen Elias Pettersson and <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/victor-mancini-vancouver-canucks-debut-vs-utah-carson-soucy-scratched">Victor Mancini</a> are both on the NHL roster at the moment and not in Abbotsford. But both have to be candidates to play 20+ games for the big league team next season. And Jonathan Lekkerimäki and Aatu Räty, who are with Abbotsford right now, have to be included. Maybe Max Sasson, who has played 24 games as a call-up, could see that sort of deployment again. And without knowing the NHL team’s goaltending plans for next season, I suppose it’s possible that Arturs Silovs could be thrust into a situation where he dresses for 20 games. I would say D-Petey and Lekkerimäki have a strong shot to start the season on the NHL roster. The others are likely to be recalled as the schedule unfolds. 
<blockquote class="bluesky-embed" data-bluesky-uri="at://did:plc:zdijiqahdc54m4ie2tjcgzoj/app.bsky.feed.post/3liusjzevfc2o" data-bluesky-cid="bafyreicgitgwhm6mvjzdmbxj2trb7w4stapvqfkyfabruxe6higvwlx5ym">
Monday Mailbag, do I have false hope that Chytil becomes a point a game player next year?
&mdash; <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:zdijiqahdc54m4ie2tjcgzoj?ref_src=embed">JDavid (@jdavidh.bsky.social)</a> <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:zdijiqahdc54m4ie2tjcgzoj/post/3liusjzevfc2o?ref_src=embed">2025-02-23T21:44:14.313Z</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://embed.bsky.app/static/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
That seems like a stretch for a player who has achieved career highs of 22 goals and 45 points. Across 384 NHL games, the 25-year-old has produced 167 points. That’s not even half a point a game (.479). <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/tape-shift-by-shift-breakdown-filip-chytils-impressive-vancouver-canucks-debut">Chytil brings a speed element</a> that is sorely lacking on this current roster and is getting power play time, too. But in his first six games, he has a goal and two assists and is basically in the ballpark of his career production rate. I think if Chytil could get to 60 points in a season, the Canucks would see that as a success. Anything more than that feels like a big ask. 
<blockquote class="bluesky-embed" data-bluesky-uri="at://did:plc:qtfkf5io3fq3ydnihjadot4y/app.bsky.feed.post/3lis25qqu3k2b" data-bluesky-cid="bafyreieacy3x42u353iel2smyueivow3lmiftyvrau7ayzztu6ljyudwpi">
If one Canuck is demoted to Abbotsford and leaves Rogers Arena at 3pm and another Canuck is promoted and leave’s Abbotsford at the same time, which arrives at their destination first?
&mdash; <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:qtfkf5io3fq3ydnihjadot4y?ref_src=embed"> (@superdave2687.bsky.social)</a> <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:qtfkf5io3fq3ydnihjadot4y/post/3lis25qqu3k2b?ref_src=embed">2025-02-22T19:22:33.343Z</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://embed.bsky.app/static/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
It has to be the guy coming downtown, no? I’m no expert on rush hour from the Fraser Valley, but I remember it taking me three hours to get from North Vancouver to an Abbotsford playoff game a few years back. Yeah, three freakin’ hours. And for the purposes of this very specific question, we’re talking afternoon rush here. I’m sure the drive westbound would be no picnic, but the crawl through Langley to get to Abbotsford is excruciating. Plus, I’d have to imagine the guy getting sent to the minors would be in no hurry to get to his destination, while the guy getting called to the show would probably drive down the median if he had to get to the NHL. So I’m betting on the <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/cas-top-20-vancouver-canucks-mid-season-prospect-rankings-2-tom-willander">Abbotsford</a> to Vancouver option all day, every day.
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Jeff Paterson's weekly Vancouver Canucks mailbag.

Well, that was no good. Two games. Two goals. Two outright losses. Not exactly the start the <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/combinations">Vancouver Canucks</a> were looking for out of the 4 Nations Face-Off break. 
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There are four games remaining before the NHL Trade Deadline and 25 games left on their schedule. Where things go from here is anyone’s guess. The only certainty in all of this is that when we ask for questions for the Monday mailbag, Canucks fans come through time and time again. There are so many questions about this hockey club these days. Let’s get to a new batch this week:

https://twitter.com/CanuckdUp1/status/1893385068153889163

After this weekend’s feeble offensive output, it feels like this team could very easily miss the post-season. Now, getting a healthy Quinn Hughes back in the lineup can change that outlook in a hurry. But there are still so many questions about the captain’s health and availability. I think it’s best to see what teams around the playoff bar – including the Canucks – do at the trade deadline before trying to handicap the race. But make no mistake, missing the playoffs is a distinct possibility unless this team scores more than it has of late, with nine goals in its past five games.

https://twitter.com/cabby316/status/1893735829626896870

In my best Jim Mora voice: 'Western Conference Final? Are you kidding me?' With this group? No. I just don’t see a path to make that happen. Even with the captain back and a goalie standing on his head, I can’t imagine this team winning two rounds of the playoffs – if they get there at all. They’d almost certainly start as the lower seed and quite possibly the second wild card. They’d have to start in Winnipeg or <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/stanchies-vancouver-canucks-waste-kevin-lankinen-3-1-loss-vegas-golden-knights">Vegas</a>. And if they somehow pulled off the unimaginable upset, they’d have to do it all again in round two. This is a team whose leading forward has 35 points right now. Even if you think the Canucks can grind out victories in the playoffs, they still need to score a few goals along the way. Dare to dream, Chris. But the third round just seems like a pipe dream for this group this year.

https://twitter.com/MitchCanuckss/status/1893719219209900492

Yeah, fun did not enter the conversation this weekend. And really, that’s been the case for a while now. We certainly have seen the grumbling online about the increase in ticket prices. And it’s fully understandable. People are being asked to shell out big bucks to watch this product. At some level, the Canucks have to recognize that they are in the entertainment business. Getting Quinn Hughes back in the lineup increases the entertainment quotient right away. Otherwise, there is an overwhelming lack of star power throughout this lineup. And that’s a massive issue on the ice and for marketing purposes. As for solving the scoring problem, it won’t be easy. There isn’t much in the pipeline beyond <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/cas-top-20-vancouver-canucks-mid-season-prospect-rankings-1-jonathan-lekkerimaki">Jonathan Lekkerimäki</a>. He can help, but this team needs more than just one promising prospect.

https://twitter.com/d_beegz/status/1893725344240165230

In the off-season? I don’t see either player moved before the deadline. <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/6-teams-might-want-trade-for-vancouver-canucks-demko-6-more-might-soon">Demko is injured (again)</a> and, as such, doesn’t seem like a trade piece at the moment. And who really knows what’s going on with Pettersson? I can’t see a contender thinking he’s currently a player they need for the stretch run. So, I imagine both players are here for the remainder of this season, and then all options should be on the table.

https://twitter.com/redwoodsbay/status/1893400278705025334

It’s still unclear how Team USA coach Mike Sullivan felt comfortable enough to declare Hughes was on his way to Boston. And from that point on, it became a carnival of truths, half-truths and wild speculation about the real and legitimate health status of the Canucks captain. The bottom line in all of this is that Hughes still hasn’t been cleared to play a game, so the idea that he was ever an option for the 4 Nations final seems laughable now. It sounds like Hughes wanted to go to Boston to support his brother and the American team, but he had never made that trip. Who made that call and why? We haven’t heard from Hughes since he was officially ruled out, so we’ll see if we ever hear his side of the story. But it’s pretty clear he was – and still is – dealing with an issue that is preventing him from playing. So, was Sullivan just playing mind games and hoping to throw a scare into Canada? Who knows? But in hindsight, it all feels like a lot of drama that could have been avoided.

https://bsky.app/profile/eleighbutler.bsky.social/post/3liryjkdfds2r

The use of ‘current’ muddies the water a little on this one. Defencemen Elias Pettersson and <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/victor-mancini-vancouver-canucks-debut-vs-utah-carson-soucy-scratched">Victor Mancini</a> are both on the NHL roster at the moment and not in Abbotsford. But both have to be candidates to play 20+ games for the big league team next season. And Jonathan Lekkerimäki and Aatu Räty, who are with Abbotsford right now, have to be included. Maybe Max Sasson, who has played 24 games as a call-up, could see that sort of deployment again. And without knowing the NHL team’s goaltending plans for next season, I suppose it’s possible that Arturs Silovs could be thrust into a situation where he dresses for 20 games. I would say D-Petey and Lekkerimäki have a strong shot to start the season on the NHL roster. The others are likely to be recalled as the schedule unfolds. 

https://bsky.app/profile/jdavidh.bsky.social/post/3liusjzevfc2o

That seems like a stretch for a player who has achieved career highs of 22 goals and 45 points. Across 384 NHL games, the 25-year-old has produced 167 points. That’s not even half a point a game (.479). <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/tape-shift-by-shift-breakdown-filip-chytils-impressive-vancouver-canucks-debut">Chytil brings a speed element</a> that is sorely lacking on this current roster and is getting power play time, too. But in his first six games, he has a goal and two assists and is basically in the ballpark of his career production rate. I think if Chytil could get to 60 points in a season, the Canucks would see that as a success. Anything more than that feels like a big ask. 

https://bsky.app/profile/superdave2687.bsky.social/post/3lis25qqu3k2b

It has to be the guy coming downtown, no? I’m no expert on rush hour from the Fraser Valley, but I remember it taking me three hours to get from North Vancouver to an Abbotsford playoff game a few years back. Yeah, three freakin’ hours. And for the purposes of this very specific question, we’re talking afternoon rush here. I’m sure the drive westbound would be no picnic, but the crawl through Langley to get to Abbotsford is excruciating. Plus, I’d have to imagine the guy getting sent to the minors would be in no hurry to get to his destination, while the guy getting called to the show would probably drive down the median if he had to get to the NHL. So I’m betting on the <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/cas-top-20-vancouver-canucks-mid-season-prospect-rankings-2-tom-willander">Abbotsford</a> to Vancouver option all day, every day.

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