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Scenes from practice: Canucks show likely lineup for Wednesday’s return to action vs. Jets
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Photo credit: © Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Jeff Paterson
Feb 24, 2026, 17:00 ESTUpdated: Feb 24, 2026, 16:58 EST
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After a week of practices at the University of British Columbia, the Vancouver Canucks returned to Rogers Arena ice on Tuesday morning.
With a couple of hundred fans in the stands as part of a partnership promotion, the Canucks held their final workout before resuming their National Hockey League schedule on Wednesday night against the Winnipeg Jets.

What we saw

The Canucks used the same line combinations for a second straight day of practice, and barring a trade before puck drop, that is likely how they’ll lineup against the Jets. Elias Pettersson had Evander Kane and Jake DeBrusk on his wings. Marco Rossi, looking to return to game action for the first time since December 30th, skated between Drew O’Connor and Brock Boeser, who shed the red non-contact jersey he wore on Monday. 
Teddy Blueger was in the middle with Liam Öhgren and Conor Garland, while David Kämpf was the centre between Nils Höglander and Linus Karlsson. Based on the last few days of practice, it appears Aatu Räty and Max Sasson will be healthy scratches on Wednesday.
On defence, the Canucks continue to match up veterans with younger players. Filip Hronek was paired with Elias Pettersson, Tyler Myers skated with Zeev Buium, while Marcus Pettersson formed a duo alongside Tom Willander. Buium, who has been wearing a full cage for the past week to protect his face, switched to a clear bubble on Tuesday.
Due to travel issues, Olympian Kevin Lankinen still hasn’t returned to Vancouver but was expected to touch down on Tuesday evening. He’s likely to get Wednesday and Thursday off entirely before returning to practice on Friday.
Due to his Olympic participation, Lankinen can be removed from the Canucks 23-man roster for one game if he doesn’t suit up on Wednesday. That’s important because the team will need to activate Brock Boeser, Marco Rossi and Zeev Buium from the injured list. Filip Chytil will be moved to the IR to create an additional spot, and the Canucks will be able to use Nikita Tolopilo and Jiri Patera as their netminders on Wednesday. Lankinen will then replace Patera on the active roster after the Jets game.
The Canucks spent plenty of time both Monday and again Tuesday working on their power play, which went into the break just 1-for-21 (4.8%) over the past 10 games. Filip Hronek scored with the man advantage in a 5-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks on January 27th. At practice on Tuesday, Hronek was manning the point on the top unit with Brock Boeser, Elias Pettersson, Jake DeBrusk and Marco Rossi. The second unit included defenders Tom Willander and Elias Pettersson with Conor Garland, Evander Kane and Linus Karlsson up front.

What we heard

Adam Foote on trying to push past the trade deadline noise surrounding the team: “It’s our job just to keep going. Every day. Day by day. Every day is different. And you just keep grinding. And we’re going to have more noise with the trade deadline. These guys are pros. They know. It’s part of the business and the guys understand it. I think I read the room. I’ll take a look at their mindset and their body language. There are times I’ll approach guys and see how guys are feeling. It’s not easy, but it’s the business. It’s pro hockey.”
Jake DeBrusk on the looming trade deadline: “From my rookie year on, I’ve been part of trade rumours since I’ve been 19. Not saying I’ve done this before, but obviously when you’re last place in the league you know there are going to be changes. It’s tough on guys. It’s on everyone’s mind. Nowadays with Twitter and social media and different rumours, it’s a little more heightened. Me as a player, I try to roll with the punches and just do what I can.”
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