Oct 3, 2025; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks ahead Elias Pettersson (40) skates towards the Edmonton Oilers within the second interval at Rogers Area. Necessary Credit score: Bob Frid-Imagn Pictures The Vancouver Canucks get an opportunity to begin anew once they host the Calgary Flames on Thursday night time.
The Canucks come into the season hoping to bounce again after final season’s disappointment.
Stricken by drama, accidents and underperforming superstars, the Canucks ended the 2024-25 season six factors shy of a postseason berth. Vancouver hoped to construct off a formidable 2023-24 season through which it clinched the highest spot within the Pacific Division.
The Canucks’ attempting season additionally included a change behind the bench as Rick Tocchet stepped down on April 29, with Adam Foote taking on the position as head coach. A two-time Stanley Cup champion throughout his taking part in days, Foote had been an assistant for Vancouver since January 2023.
The most important query mark for the Canucks going into the season is that if Elias Pettersson can return to the 102-point participant that they noticed in 2022-23. Pettersson has struggled since signing an eight-year, $92.8 million contract, gathering simply 45 factors throughout an injury-plagued 64-game season in 2024-25.
Vancouver might be including a youthful splash to its roster as 2025 first-round decide Braeden Cootes earned himself a spot on the workforce. The Canucks and Foote had been impressed by what they noticed from Cootes all through the preseason and coaching camp.
“Nice. He received higher, he is good,” Foote stated. “Clearly at instances there may be an adjustment with sure issues, however he is dealt with it properly and we’re simply gonna take it day-to-day.”
Together with the youthful affect of Cootes, the Canucks might be hoping that veteran ahead Evander Kane rapidly can discover success together with his hometown workforce.
The Vancouver-native was acquired in a commerce with the Edmonton Oilers, and identical to the Canucks, he’s eyeing a possibility to show himself. Kane missed all the 2024-25 common season whereas recovering from a number of surgical procedures.
Kane returned for the Oilers’ postseason run, totaling 12 factors (six targets, six assists) throughout 21 video games.
In the meantime, the Flames come into the competition already having kicked off their marketing campaign with a come-from-behind 4-3 shootout victory over the Oilers on Wednesday night time.
Nazem Kadri capped off the three-goal comeback with the shootout-winning aim for Calgary.
Rookie Matvei Gridin scored his first profession aim to ignite the rally.
Gridin, the Flames’ first-round choice within the 2024 NHL Draft, received some puck luck as his tried go banked off an Oilers defender and into the again of the web.
The 19-year-old was in good spirits following the competition.
“Bounced off the man’s skate and went again on internet. I am going to take it for first one.” Gridin remarked, smiling. “… You always remember your first recreation, proper, and your first aim.”
Connor Zary and Blake Coleman every scored a aim for Calgary.
The Flames might be hoping to hold the momentum of their victory into the Thursday matchup. They posted a 2-0-2 report within the season collection towards the Canucks in 2024-25.
–Area Stage Media
