Curtis Douglas made a quick impression after arriving in Vancouver.

Claimed off waivers from the Tampa Bay Lightning in March, the 6-foot-9 forward gave the Vancouver Canucks something they had been missing for much of last season: size, snarl and a willingness to make opponents answer physically. On a roster that had grown younger and easier to play against, the element Douglas brought to the game stood out immediately. That makes his unsigned status a fair question.

Douglas is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent after completing a two-year deal that carried a league-minimum cap hit. For a Canucks team entering a rebuild, bringing him back would appear to be a simple piece of business. He should not be expensive, he can play centre or wing, and he gives Vancouver a depth option who can move in and out of the lineup depending on the opponent.

His impact also extends beyond what he brings on the ice. Zeev Buium recently glowed about Douglas during an appearance on Canucks Central, offering a glimpse into the veteran forward’s reputation as a teammate.

“I love Douglas, I love that guy, he’s only been here for a little bit but he’s a great person,” said Buium. “He came up to me and said, ‘Play your game, feel free out there, if anyone touches you, they’re dead.’ He’s great.”

For a young organization trying to integrate prospects into the NHL environment, that kind of presence carries value. Douglas may not be a star player, but teammates clearly appreciate the personality he brings to the room.

Douglas finished the 2025-26 season with one goal and three assists for four points in 43 NHL games split between Tampa Bay and Vancouver. He also had 108 penalty minutes and 10 regular-season fights. His production was limited, but the Canucks would be re-signing him for protection, not offence.

There is also another factor working in Douglas’ favour: players with his combination of size and toughness tend to disappear from the market quickly once free agency opens.

Minnesota recently re-signed 6-foot-6 heavyweight Michael McCarron, removing one of the more obvious bruising depth targets from the July 1 market. Teams looking to add toughness without sacrificing roster flexibility have a limited pool to choose from, and Douglas fits that profile. Beyond McCarron, the toughest pending UFAs are mostly higher-priced veterans such as Jacob Trouba, Radko Gudas, Boone Jenner and Bobby McMann.

On his Thursday hit on Halford & Brough, Donnie & Dhali’s Rick Dhaliwal shared that the Canucks want to add toughness this season, but mentioned they might be looking for a more consistent player than Douglas: “As of last night, no contract talks with the Douglas camp. I do believe the Canucks want to add toughness, but for that role, they would like an everyday player; a player who’s in the lineup every single game.”

Vancouver is likely considering whether Douglas can provide enough at five-on-five to be an everyday NHL player and justify an extension. If the Canucks value him as a 13th forward and not an every-night guy, they might have to search elsewhere.

The most likely bet is that this is not a closed door. Douglas still makes sense for the Canucks at the right number and in the right role. But depth options with bite are already starting to come off the board, so the Canucks may not want to assume he will still be available once free agency begins.

Douglas remains the kind of player the Canucks are searching for, but with the organization questioning whether he can be in the lineup every night, they may look elsewhere this summer. However, given where the Canucks finished in the standings last season, they aren’t necessarily going to be high on many players’ lists.

At this time, Johnson has his hands full with rounding out the rest of his front office and Manny Malhotra’s coaching staff. After that, the main focus is on the upcoming draft, then on subtracting from the roster before adding to it.

So, for now, we wait for more clarity on Douglas’ future in Vancouver. And with all of that going on, Douglas is likely pushed down to the bottom of the Canucks’ to-do list. However, if toughness is what the Canucks seek this summer, there’s always time to circle back on Douglas.

What do you think, Canucks fans? Do you want to see the Canucks re-sign Curtis Douglas? Let us know in the comments below!