Daily Faceoff is a news site with no direct affiliation to the NHL, or NHLPA

Vancouver Canucks News

Vancouver has acquired Jacob Quillan and Brandon Buhr from Toronto for Aatu Raty.

Qullan's time in Toronto ended after two NHL seasons, when the 24-year-old was traded alongside Brandon Buhr for Aatu Raty from Vancouver. Quillan appeared in 23 games with the Maple Leafs last season, picking up a goal, three points and a -5 plus/minus. He should provide the Canucks with offensive depth this season.

Jacob Quillan
Chytil (upper-body) will make his season debut in Florida on Thursday.

Chytil suffered an upper-body injury early in preseason and has been sidelined since. The 27-year-old missed 70 games in 2025-26 with an upper-body injury, so this update adds to a long list of bad-luck injuries for the forward across his nine-year career. Since joining Vancouver midseason in 2024-25, he has appeared in 27 regular-season games for the Canucks.

Filip Chytil
Merilainen will start in Florida on Thursday.

Kevin Lankinen has started the 2025-26 season abysmal, posting a dreadful 6.88 GAA and .786 SV% in six outings (1-5-0). As a result, the Canucks will roll with Merilainen, who has been their more reliable goalie. Merilainen was solid in his most recent outing, saving 35 of 38 shots (.921 SV%), but he didn't get enough goal support and lost 3-2 to the New York Islanders. The 24-year-old Finnish goalie has a 2.40 GAA and .926 SV% in five appearances (1-1-0). Still, the Canucks enter Thursday's contest as sizeable +252 road underdogs against a Florida Panthers team coming off an impressive 7-3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Leevi Merilainen
Merilainen is in the starter's crease at Thursday's morning skate.

Kevin Lankinen has started the 2025-26 season abysmal, posting a dreadful 6.88 GAA and .786 SV% in six outings (1-5-0). As a result, the Canucks will roll with Merilainen, who has been their more reliable goalie. Merilainen was solid in his most recent outing, saving 35 of 38 shots (.921 SV%), but he didn't get enough goal support and lost 3-2 to the New York Islanders. The 24-year-old Finnish goalie has a 2.40 GAA and .926 SV% in five appearances (1-1-0). Still, the Canucks enter Thursday's contest as sizeable +252 road underdogs against a Florida Panthers team coming off an impressive 7-3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Leevi Merilainen
Merilainen led the Canucks onto the ice for warmups.

The Canucks are allowing an alarming league-worst 5.0 goals per game through seven games this season (2-5-0). That said, Merilainen has been serviceable when called upon, greatly outdueling counterpart Kevin Lankinen. The 24-year-old Merilainen saved 31 of 34 shots (.912 SV%) in his previous outing, a 4-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils. He has a 2.18 GAA and .929 SV% in four appearances this season (2-1-0). The Canucks enter Tuesday's contest as significant +191 road underdogs against a New York Islanders team coming off a 5-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Leevi Merilainen
Oleksiak is expected to draw back into Vancouver's lineup on Tuesday.

Guillaume Brisebois will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Oleksiak to re-enter the lineup. The 33-year-old Oleksiak has had an eventful first season in Vancouver so far, averaging 18:39 time-on-ice, recording three points (1G / 2A), a -4 plus/minus, and 11 hits in six games.

Jamie Oleksiak
Merilainen is in the starter's crease at Vancouver's morning skate.

The Canucks are allowing an alarming league-worst 5.0 goals per game through seven games this season (2-5-0). That said, Merilainen has been serviceable when called upon, greatly outdueling counterpart Kevin Lankinen. The 24-year-old Merilainen saved 31 of 34 shots (.912 SV%) in his previous outing, a 4-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils. He has a 2.18 GAA and .929 SV% in four appearances this season (2-1-0). The Canucks enter Tuesday's contest as significant +191 road underdogs against a New York Islanders team coming off a 5-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Leevi Merilainen