Scoring only eight goals in their first three games (1-2-0), the Canucks are shaking things up ahead of the contest on Thursday against the Dallas Stars. Lekkerimaki will be a healthy scratch and Braeden Cootes was reassigned to Seattle (AHL), paving the way for Max Sasson and Linus Karlsson to make their season debuts. The 21-year-old Lekkerimaki has one point (1G / 0A) in three games this season.
The Canucks are off to a 1-2-0 start to the 2025-26 season but have received stellar play from Demko, who will likely return to the crease on Thursday against the Dallas Stars. The 29-year-old Demko has an impressive 1.54 GAA and .944 SV% through two games this season (1-1-0). The Canucks enter Thursday's contest as +146 road underdogs against an undefeated Stars team that is outscoring its opposition 15-10 through three games this season (3-0-0).
Forbort did not play in Vancouver's 5-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues and has not practiced since. Through two games this season, the 33-year-old Forbort is averaging 13:56 time-on-ice, recording four blocks and two hits.
Blueger is nearing his 2025-26 debut in his third season with the Canucks but continues his recovery from an undisclosed injury. The 31-year-old Blueger scored 26 points (8G / 18A) in 82 games last season.
Olivier-Joseph split time last season between the St. Louis Blues and Pittsburgh Penguins, averaging 15:16 time-on-ice and scoring three points (0G / 3A) in 47 games. The 26-year-old defenseman will add some depth to the Canucks' blueline as he inches closer to his season debut.
Sasson has two goals in two games with the Abbotsford Canucks (AHL) and has been recalled to Vancouver. The 25-year-old forward has seven points (3G / 4A) in 29 career NHL games. The Canucks reassigned Braden Cootes to the Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) in a corresponding move.
Three games into his NHL career, 18-year-old Braeden Cootes has been reassigned to the Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL). Cootes, the Canucks' 15th-overall pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, recorded a -2 plus/minus and zero points. The Canucks recalled Max Sasson from Abbotsford (AHL) in a corresponding move.
Forbort did not play in Vancouver's 5-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Monday and was absent from practice on Tuesday. Through two games this season, the 33-year-old Forbort is averaging 13:56 time-on-ice, recording four blocks and two hits.
Reichel will draw out of Chicago's lineup after making his season debut against the Canadiens on Saturday. Artyom Levshunov will draw back into the lineup in his place.
Derek Forbort will be a healthy scratch on Monday against the St. Louis Blues, allowing Mancini to draw into the lineup for his season debut. The 23-year-old Mancini made his NHL debut last season, splitting time with the Canucks and New York Rangers, scoring eight points (2G / 6A) in 31 combined games.
Victor Mancini will draw into Vancouver's lineup on Monday against the St. Louis Blues, resulting in Forbort being a healthy scratch. Through two games this season, the 33-year-old Forbort is averaging 13:56 time-on-ice, recording four blocks and two hits.
The Canucks have only allowed four goals through two games (1-1-0) courtesy of strong netminding from Thatcher Demko, but they will turn to Lankinen for his first start of the season on Monday against the St. Louis Blues. The 30-year-old Lankinen emerged with a strong season in Vancouver in 2024-25 after Demko was sidelined for parts of the season due to injuries, posting a 2.62 GAA and .902 SV% in 51 games (25-15-10). The Canucks enter Monday's contest as -118 home favorites against the Blues.
The Canucks will roll with Demko in their crease in Thursday's season-opening game against the Calgary Flames and hope he can return to the form that made him a Vezina runner-up in 2023-24. The 29-year-old Demko missed most of the 2024-25 season due to injury and battled adversity when called upon, posting a 2.90 GAA and .889 SV% in 23 games (10-8-3). The Canucks enter Thursday's contest as sizable -205 home favorites against a Flames team coming off a 4-3 shootout win over the Edmonton Oilers last night.
The Canucks will roll with Demko in their crease in Thursday's season-opening game against the Calgary Flames and hope he can return to the form that made him a Vezina runner-up in 2023-24. The 29-year-old Demko missed most of the 2024-25 season due to injury and battled adversity when called upon, posting a 2.90 GAA and .889 SV% in 23 games (10-8-3). The Canucks enter Thursday's contest as sizable -205 home favorites against a Flames team coming off a 4-3 shootout win over the Edmonton Oilers last night.
Blueger missed practice on Sunday and will miss at least Vancouver's season opener. The Canucks will see how he responds in the next couple of days, but rookie Braeden Cootes looks poised to be in the opening night roster in Blueger's absence.
Olivier-Joseph split time last season between the St. Louis Blues and Pittsburgh Penguins, averaging 15:16 time-on-ice and scoring three points (0G / 3A) in 47 games. The 26-year-old defenseman adds some depth to the Canucks' blueline but may have to wait to make his team debut as he recovers from injury.
The Canucks recalled Mancini, who is expected to be on their opening night roster on the third defensive pair alongside Elias Nils Pettersson. The 23-year-old Mancini played a career-high 16 games with the Canucks last season, scoring three points (1G / 2A).
Blueger missed practice on Sunday and is questionable for Vancouver's season opener on Thursday. The Canucks will see how he responds in the next couple of days, but rookie Braeden Cootes could be in the opening night lineup if Blueger is unavailable.
