A mixed bag for the <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/combinations">Vancouver Canucks</a> over the past week and a mixed mailbag here at <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/">CanucksArmy</a>. After wins over <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/instant-reaction-pettersson-wins-career-high-19-faceoffs-vancouver-canucks-win-anaheim-ducks">Anaheim</a> and <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/instant-reaction-kiefer-sherwood-elias-pettersson-score-vancouver-canucks-win-minnesota-wild">Minnesota</a> to open their current four game homestand, the Canucks went <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/the-stanchies-rick-tocchet-demands-more-from-top-players-4-1-loss-dallas-stars">quietly into the night against Dallas</a>. There are just 19 games to go and it feels like the playoff push will be a climb for this offensively-challenged hockey club. So while it may be a challenge for this team to sneak into the playoffs, it&#8217;s never a challenge to reach into the mailbag and come up with great questions from our readers. There are a few trade deadline leftovers and a couple of bigger picture questions. So let&#8217;s get into this week&#8217;s Monday mailbag.
<div class="bam-inline-promotion-block" data-max-length="2" data-placement-id="2111" data-context="web-content-promocard" data-property-id="329"></div>
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
With SO many distractions this year, could the trade deadline be a turning point for this team? Is it possible for the players to finally exhale, put all the drama of the season behind them and play with the collective goal in mind?
&mdash; Jay (@TheHeartPlumber) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheHeartPlumber/status/1898442821918708220?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Sure, that’s absolutely a possibility and probably part of the pitch <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/tocchet-low-minutes-vancouver-canucks-stars-youve-got-earn-your-ice-time">Rick Tocchet will make to this group</a>. Brock Boeser copped to the fact that the past two weeks have been difficult and that has been reflected in his play and his production. These final 19 games are big for him with millions of dollars on his next contract hanging in the balance. So whether it’s Boeser or Pius Suter or Derek Forbort who all heard their names surface in trade chatter, they all know they’re not going anywhere for the remainder of this season and they’ll be part of this group down the stretch. Can these players leave the noise and chaos of earlier this season behind and get down to the business of winning hockey games? We’ll see. 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
What was your morning like on trade deadline day? I assume it was not as crazy as an insider.
&mdash; Kel M (@wing2k12) <a href="https://twitter.com/wing2k12/status/1898508829584998767?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
My morning was pretty relaxed, thanks for asking. I got up, checked my phone, had breakfast and then made my way to the rink. I watched Quinn Hughes go for a twirl. I kept tabs on the Canucks&#8217; morning skate and then got into the locker room to chat with a few players about the game that night. The Canucks had the media set up in a couple of 200 level suites, so there were TVs on to monitor the day’s activity on the trade front. And when the noon deadline passed, we made our way <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/not-whole-lot-market-our-players-vancouver-canucks-gm-allvin-talks-2025-nhl-trade-deadline">downstairs to the Patrik Allvin availability</a>. I have worked some crazy deadlines with the Canucks making multiple moves minutes before the trade window closed. With no moves made by the hockey club last Friday, the 2025 trade deadline was forgettable and made for a remarkably uneventful work day. No stress at all.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
What is really going on with Demko, new injury ? Old injury? Which old injury? Is his season done? Has anyone asked?
&mdash; fyuckologist (certified) (@HibernatingSG) <a href="https://twitter.com/HibernatingSG/status/1898440393932595214?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Oh, trust me, Rick Tocchet gets asked for Demko updates daily. The coach doesn’t have much to offer in the way of progress reports. We know Demko has skated on his own over the past week. But he still hasn’t rejoined his teammates for a practice. So his return to game action is not imminent. While the team hasn’t declared the nature of this latest injury, it’s believed to be a third ailment that has forced Demko to take time off this season. It’s not his knee and it’s not a recurrence of back spasm. Having dealt with those ailments already, you have to wonder if Demko is taking his time to ensure that he is 100% before he ramps things up hoping to avoid any kind of setback. There has been no indication that he is done for the season. But the Canucks are rapidly burning through games and by this time next week will have just 15 left on the regular season schedule. Given that the Canucks have placed their faith in Kevin Lankinen, it doesn’t leave much runway for Demko to see significant game action.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Do you think canucks trafe Boesers rights at draft or come to an extension? Will be huge loss for franchise if they don&#39;t make playoffs and loose him for nothing.
&mdash; Eat~Sleep~Sports (@shettell09) <a href="https://twitter.com/shettell09/status/1898440977783968081?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
If the offers were as alarming as Patrik Allvin suggested on Friday, it’s hard to imagine a long line forming to part with assets to get the rights to Brock Boeser in the weeks leading up to July 1st if he hits the open market. I think there will be plenty of teams interested in Boeser as an unrestricted free agent. Let’s be clear that last week was far more about the asking price for the player than the player himself. I suspect the Canucks will take another run at resigning Boeser before he can shop himself on the open market, but it’s also abundantly clear now that the Canucks have expressed their concerns about offering a long-term extension. A 28-year-old UFA with a 40-goal season on his resume is getting paid. How much and by whom? Well, we’ll all have to wait for the answer to those questions. It&#8217;s now on Boeser to get back on his scoring horse and finish up strong. That next contract is depending on it.
<blockquote class="bluesky-embed" data-bluesky-uri="at://did:plc:7jpqsxhg73q4fyexcsznvi3h/app.bsky.feed.post/3ljvn4ijhbk2u" data-bluesky-cid="bafyreiemi66dk7zonbdrf6qkbuat3e2kppdicqdmiv6w3p4o33wkjdmcom">
Best guess for how many games Hughes plays.I&#39;m going with 12 &#8211; the same number of wins that _should_ get us a playoff spot. Return him fully rested and recovered (or as much as possible) before the sprint. Win or lose, the playoffs will be even harder for him.
&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/3ljvn4ijhbk2u?ref_src=embed">2025-03-08T23:05:03.094Z</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://embed.bsky.app/static/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I certainly hope it’s more than a dozen for the captain. Canucks games are infinitely more entertaining when their best player is in the line-up. With 19 games remaining in the regular season and having taken the past eight days off from game action, I think you’ll see Hughes back in uniform by this time next week. Then the question becomes can he stay healthy? That has clearly been an issue for Hughes since Christmas. I’m throwing a dart in the dark here, but I’ll say he plays 16 of the team’s 19 games left on the schedule. It’s possible he takes more time off if the team cliches a playoff spot – or if one slips through their grasp.
<blockquote class="bluesky-embed" data-bluesky-uri="at://did:plc:natfcm5eijjineosvgmyi2pi/app.bsky.feed.post/3ljvdsjq7as2w" data-bluesky-cid="bafyreicgyqervvllnnwlvz2hoby36gyeduh4ry24o4dvya5dk64fmpdxue">
When Allvin arrived he said &#34;there are no banners in the rafters&#34;. Three years later, are they any closer to hanging a banner?
&mdash; <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:natfcm5eijjineosvgmyi2pi?ref_src=embed"> (@agent86-fan.bsky.social)</a> <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:natfcm5eijjineosvgmyi2pi/post/3ljvdsjq7as2w?ref_src=embed">2025-03-08T20:18:25.143Z</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://embed.bsky.app/static/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Let’s be clear there are banners in the rafters, just not a Stanley Cup banner. And that was what Allvin was alluding to. And no, the Canucks are not any closer to winning it all than when Allvin was hired more than three years ago. The club’s handle on the salary cap is in a better place and the prospect pool is vastly improved. So some progress has been made. But in terms of the players on the roster and on the ice, the Canucks very much remain a work in progress. The foundation for a solid defence appears to be in place. And they have enough goaltending between Kevin Lankinen and a when-healthy Thatcher Demko. 
But they don’t have anywhere close to enough top end offensive talent to be a legitimate contender. Let’s see what they do with the cap space they have created. They need Elias Pettersson to get his groove back. They need to figure out what they’re doing with Brock Boeser. And then this front office has to roll up its sleeves and get to work securing play drivers and productive pieces that can move this group forward. Of course, that is much easier said than done. Last year felt like a significant step in the right direction, but it&#8217;s also looking like it was actually a mirage. This year&#8217;s Canucks are stuck spinning their wheels trying to win every game they play 1-0 or 2-1.
Sponsored by bet365
<div class="bam-inline-promotion" data-property-id="329" data-promotion-id="19111" data-context="web-content-promocard"></div>
&nbsp;

Jeff Paterson's weekly Vancouver Canucks mailbag.

A mixed bag for the <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/combinations">Vancouver Canucks</a> over the past week and a mixed mailbag here at <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/">CanucksArmy</a>. After wins over <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/instant-reaction-pettersson-wins-career-high-19-faceoffs-vancouver-canucks-win-anaheim-ducks">Anaheim</a> and <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/instant-reaction-kiefer-sherwood-elias-pettersson-score-vancouver-canucks-win-minnesota-wild">Minnesota</a> to open their current four game homestand, the Canucks went <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/the-stanchies-rick-tocchet-demands-more-from-top-players-4-1-loss-dallas-stars">quietly into the night against Dallas</a>. There are just 19 games to go and it feels like the playoff push will be a climb for this offensively-challenged hockey club. So while it may be a challenge for this team to sneak into the playoffs, it's never a challenge to reach into the mailbag and come up with great questions from our readers. There are a few trade deadline leftovers and a couple of bigger picture questions. So let's get into this week's Monday mailbag.
<div class="bam-inline-promotion-block" data-max-length="2" data-placement-id="2111" data-context="web-content-promocard" data-property-id="329"></div>
&nbsp;

https://twitter.com/TheHeartPlumber/status/1898442821918708220

Sure, that’s absolutely a possibility and probably part of the pitch <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/tocchet-low-minutes-vancouver-canucks-stars-youve-got-earn-your-ice-time">Rick Tocchet will make to this group</a>. Brock Boeser copped to the fact that the past two weeks have been difficult and that has been reflected in his play and his production. These final 19 games are big for him with millions of dollars on his next contract hanging in the balance. So whether it’s Boeser or Pius Suter or Derek Forbort who all heard their names surface in trade chatter, they all know they’re not going anywhere for the remainder of this season and they’ll be part of this group down the stretch. Can these players leave the noise and chaos of earlier this season behind and get down to the business of winning hockey games? We’ll see. 

https://twitter.com/wing2k12/status/1898508829584998767

My morning was pretty relaxed, thanks for asking. I got up, checked my phone, had breakfast and then made my way to the rink. I watched Quinn Hughes go for a twirl. I kept tabs on the Canucks' morning skate and then got into the locker room to chat with a few players about the game that night. The Canucks had the media set up in a couple of 200 level suites, so there were TVs on to monitor the day’s activity on the trade front. And when the noon deadline passed, we made our way <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/not-whole-lot-market-our-players-vancouver-canucks-gm-allvin-talks-2025-nhl-trade-deadline">downstairs to the Patrik Allvin availability</a>. I have worked some crazy deadlines with the Canucks making multiple moves minutes before the trade window closed. With no moves made by the hockey club last Friday, the 2025 trade deadline was forgettable and made for a remarkably uneventful work day. No stress at all.

https://twitter.com/HibernatingSG/status/1898440393932595214

Oh, trust me, Rick Tocchet gets asked for Demko updates daily. The coach doesn’t have much to offer in the way of progress reports. We know Demko has skated on his own over the past week. But he still hasn’t rejoined his teammates for a practice. So his return to game action is not imminent. While the team hasn’t declared the nature of this latest injury, it’s believed to be a third ailment that has forced Demko to take time off this season. It’s not his knee and it’s not a recurrence of back spasm. Having dealt with those ailments already, you have to wonder if Demko is taking his time to ensure that he is 100% before he ramps things up hoping to avoid any kind of setback. There has been no indication that he is done for the season. But the Canucks are rapidly burning through games and by this time next week will have just 15 left on the regular season schedule. Given that the Canucks have placed their faith in Kevin Lankinen, it doesn’t leave much runway for Demko to see significant game action.

https://twitter.com/shettell09/status/1898440977783968081

If the offers were as alarming as Patrik Allvin suggested on Friday, it’s hard to imagine a long line forming to part with assets to get the rights to Brock Boeser in the weeks leading up to July 1st if he hits the open market. I think there will be plenty of teams interested in Boeser as an unrestricted free agent. Let’s be clear that last week was far more about the asking price for the player than the player himself. I suspect the Canucks will take another run at resigning Boeser before he can shop himself on the open market, but it’s also abundantly clear now that the Canucks have expressed their concerns about offering a long-term extension. A 28-year-old UFA with a 40-goal season on his resume is getting paid. How much and by whom? Well, we’ll all have to wait for the answer to those questions. It's now on Boeser to get back on his scoring horse and finish up strong. That next contract is depending on it.

https://bsky.app/profile/eleighbutler.bsky.social/post/3ljvn4ijhbk2u

I certainly hope it’s more than a dozen for the captain. Canucks games are infinitely more entertaining when their best player is in the line-up. With 19 games remaining in the regular season and having taken the past eight days off from game action, I think you’ll see Hughes back in uniform by this time next week. Then the question becomes can he stay healthy? That has clearly been an issue for Hughes since Christmas. I’m throwing a dart in the dark here, but I’ll say he plays 16 of the team’s 19 games left on the schedule. It’s possible he takes more time off if the team cliches a playoff spot – or if one slips through their grasp.

https://bsky.app/profile/agent86-fan.bsky.social/post/3ljvdsjq7as2w

Let’s be clear there are banners in the rafters, just not a Stanley Cup banner. And that was what Allvin was alluding to. And no, the Canucks are not any closer to winning it all than when Allvin was hired more than three years ago. The club’s handle on the salary cap is in a better place and the prospect pool is vastly improved. So some progress has been made. But in terms of the players on the roster and on the ice, the Canucks very much remain a work in progress. The foundation for a solid defence appears to be in place. And they have enough goaltending between Kevin Lankinen and a when-healthy Thatcher Demko. 

But they don’t have anywhere close to enough top end offensive talent to be a legitimate contender. Let’s see what they do with the cap space they have created. They need Elias Pettersson to get his groove back. They need to figure out what they’re doing with Brock Boeser. And then this front office has to roll up its sleeves and get to work securing play drivers and productive pieces that can move this group forward. Of course, that is much easier said than done. Last year felt like a significant step in the right direction, but it's also looking like it was actually a mirage. This year's Canucks are stuck spinning their wheels trying to win every game they play 1-0 or 2-1.

Sponsored by bet365
<div class="bam-inline-promotion" data-property-id="329" data-promotion-id="19111" data-context="web-content-promocard"></div>
&nbsp;

JPat’s Monday Canucks Mailbag: 3 years under this management group, has this team progressed?

Recent articles from Jeff Paterson

Breaking News