Summer Coolers – Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are starting over. After finishing dead last with only 58 points, a minus-100 goal differential and a staggering 32-point decline, the organization has undergone a major housecleaning. Ryan Johnson takes over as GM alongside co-presidents Daniel and Henrik Sedin, while Manny Malhotra replaces Adam Foote behind the bench. Neil Smith and Vic Morren aren’t talking playoffs—they’re looking for signs that Vancouver can finally begin building something sustainable.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[00:00:00] Vancouver undergoes a complete organizational reset after one of the NHL’s most difficult seasons.
[00:00:15] Ryan Johnson becomes GM, working alongside the Sedin brothers as co-presidents of hockey operations, while Manny Malhotra takes over as head coach.
[00:00:30] The numbers tell the story: 58 points, last overall, a minus-100 goal differential and a 32-point decline from 2024-25.
[00:00:45] Vancouver finishes tied for 30th offensively while ranking last in both defense and penalty killing.
[00:01:00] With expectations low, Vic asks what Johnson, the Sedins and Malhotra should consider meaningful progress this season.
[00:01:15] Neil believes the first objective is simply becoming a more unified team that competes consistently every night.
[00:01:25] Elias Pettersson becomes one of the organization’s biggest projects after his production dramatically declined.
[00:01:45] Brock Boeser remains an important piece, but Vancouver no longer resembles the roster that finished first just a few seasons ago.
[00:02:00] The most significant difference is the absence of Quinn Hughes, leaving Vancouver without the superstar defenseman who previously drove so much of its attack.
[00:02:15] Brendan Gallagher arrives in his hometown, bringing leadership, energy and the relentless style that has defined his career.
[00:02:30] Neil likes Gallagher’s competitiveness but still sees a roster nowhere close to serious playoff contention.
[00:02:40] Vic finds some positives in Vancouver’s outside additions, including Paul Cotter from New Jersey, Luke Schenn from Buffalo and Jamie Oleksiak from Seattle.
[00:02:55] Those veterans give Malhotra some size, leadership and foundational pieces as he attempts to establish a new culture.
[00:03:00] The departures continue with Nils Höglander traded to Nashville and Marcus Pettersson going to the Rangers for a conditional 2030 first-round pick.
[00:03:15] Teddy Blueger signs with Toronto, goaltender Jiri Patera heads to Boston and Curtis Douglas joins Seattle.
[00:03:30] Vic believes another seventh- or eighth-place finish is possible, but standings position shouldn’t be the only measurement of progress.
[00:03:40] If Vancouver can approach 70 points and develop a stronger team identity under Malhotra, there may finally be something to build upon.
[00:03:50] An interesting prospect storyline involves Malhotra’s son Caleb, who is headed to Boston University after ultimately being drafted by Vancouver.
[00:04:00] Neil wonders whether a strong freshman season could eventually lead Caleb Malhotra to join his father’s organization.
[00:04:15] Other prospects to watch include 2025 15th-overall selection Braeden Cootes and 2022 15th-overall pick Jonathan Lekkerimäki.
[00:04:30] Lekkerimäki has already appeared in 37 NHL games over two seasons and enters the final year of his entry-level contract with an opportunity to establish himself.
This season isn’t about expecting Vancouver to return immediately to the playoffs. It’s about rebuilding an identity. Malhotra needs Pettersson to rebound, young players to emerge and the entire roster to compete more consistently. After hitting the bottom with 58 points, even a climb toward 70 accompanied by meaningful development would represent an important first step.
