For the last 23 years (13 with The Hockey News) DobberHockey has reviewed each team from a fantasy-hockey standpoint and graded them.

The 24th annual review will appear here on DobberHockey throughout the summer. This is not a review of the likely performance on the ice or in the standings, but in the realm of fantasy hockey both for the season ahead as well as the foreseeable future. Offensively, will the team perform? Are there plenty of depth options worthy of owning in keeper leagues? What about over the next two or three years? These questions are what we take into consideration when looking at the depth chart and the player potential on that depth chart.

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Gone – Adam Foote (coach), Evander Kane, Marcus Pettersson, Teddy Blueger, Pierre-Olivier Joseph, Nils Hoglander, Curtis Douglas

Incoming – Manny Malhotra (coach), Brendan Gallagher, Paul Cotter, Luke Schenn, Jamie Oleksiak, Caleb Malhotra

Impact of changes

After years of chasing a win-now strategy when they generally weren't ready for it, the Canucks have finally decided to embrace a full rebuild. Following the trades of Quinn Hughes, Kiefer Sherwood, Conor Garland, and Tyler Myers during the season, the Canucks shed the salary of Marcus Pettersson during the offseason by trading him to the Rangers for an off-in-the-distance 2030 first-round pick. Jake DeBrusk seems the most likely to be traded next, although Elias Pettersson could get moved if the right offer comes along.

Looking ahead to the future, Manny Malhotra will be tasked with leading the rebuild. Malhotra guided the AHL Abbotsford Canucks to a Calder Cup in 2025. An important piece to this rebuild is his son Caleb, who was the third overall pick in this year's draft. The rest of the incoming moves are supporting pieces aimed at improving the culture more than putting up big scoring numbers. Gallagher is on the final year of his contract, while Cotter and Schenn are only signed for one year. Any of these players could be flipped by the trade deadline to add more futures to the organization.

Ready for Full Time

Jonathan Lekkerimaki has shown a scoring touch at the AHL level with 32 goals in 57 games. His shot is his main asset, in particular a very quick release. He will likely need to be in the top 6 and the power play to sustain an NHL career, as he is not very big (172 lbs.), physical, or fast. Lekkerimaki underwent season-ending surgery at around midseason, which may mean he needs one more AHL stint in Abbotsford. Now 22, Lekkerimaki doesn't have a ton of time, but the Canucks can always use scoring help if he can bring it. Expect him to play at least part of the season in Vancouver again.

Braeden Cootes received a three-game trial with the Canucks before being returned to the WHL, where he had a strong campaign split between Seattle and Prince Albert. Cootes seems likely to be in the AHL next season, as he now has the option of playing there as a 19-year-old. The likelihood of him playing NHL games in 2026-27 seems strong, as he is a likely callup in the event of an injury. Filip Chytil has been dealing with major concussion issues and appeared in just 12 games in 2025-26, so another concussion could mean the Canucks have another extended-term callup to decide on. 

If he makes a strong impression in camp, Caleb Malhotra could earn a nine-game trial similar to Cootes last season. Malhotra will most likely end up at Boston University, the natural next step after his successful season in the OHL (84 PTS in 67 GP). Malhotra has advanced quickly from playing in the BCHL just two seasons ago. With the Canucks in a rebuild phase, there's no need to rush Malhotra. In fact, both Cootes and Malhotra have been participating in the World Junior Summer Showcase for Canada.

Fantasy Outlook

With the departure of some fantasy-relevant players (Hughes, J.T. Miller), and the dropoff of others (Elias Pettersson, Thatcher Demko), the Canucks have gone from a team with a very promising fantasy outlook to one that now doesn't have much to offer. Some kind of Pettersson turnaround could go a long way in boosting the fantasy value of DeBrusk, Brock Boeser and others. But if Pettersson is in for another 50-point season, then his regular linemates probably won't improve either.

At least there's a glimmer of hope for the future. Cootes and Malhotra should both be taking regular NHL shifts within 2-3 seasons. The Hughes trade yielded Marco Rossi, a solid second-line center; Liam Ohgren, who could become a reliable middle-six producer; Zeev Buium, the future top power-play QB; and a first-round pick that was used on Adam Novotny.

With Filip Hronek probably not going anywhere, he will likely be on the top power play again. Add in the major minutes he will log and he might arguably be the Canucks' most reliable fantasy option. Aside from Buium, Tom Willander might be the only other Canucks' defenseman worth adding to your watch list, unless you count Schenn and his hits. 

If Demko is in fact healthy, expect him to appear in fewer than 50 games since his workload should be managed much more closely going forward. Kevin Lankinen should also see plenty of starts. Unless the Canucks are better than expected, both goalies should probably be avoided in fantasy leagues.

Fun fact: Following the Olympic break, the Canucks had the league’s second-best power-play conversion rate at 32.8%. Over their last 25 games, Hronek and Pettersson had 11 PPP each, Boeser and DeBrusk had 10 PPP each, and Rossi had 9 PPP. But no other Canuck had more than 2 PPP.

Fantasy Grade: C- (Last year: B-)

Check out the rest of the Dobber team previews here.