vancouver canucks

Vancouver Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin, back left, and head coach Rick Tocchet listen during the NHL hockey team’s end of season news conference, in Vancouver, on Monday, April 17, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Changes expected after Vancouver Canucks’ tumultuous season: GM

Vancouver got off to a disastrous start, then eventually fired their coach and traded their captain

Vancouver Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin, back left, and head coach Rick Tocchet listen during the NHL hockey team’s end of season news conference, in Vancouver, on Monday, April 17, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Vancouver Canucks right wing Conor Garland shields the puck from Arizona Coyotes defenseman J.J. Moser (90) in overtime during an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 13, 2023, in Tempe, Ariz. The Canucks won 5-4. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

THE MOJ: Plenty of questions as the Canucks reset after another disappointing season

Will the Tocchet new coach bump affect how team approaches the offseason?

Vancouver Canucks right wing Conor Garland shields the puck from Arizona Coyotes defenseman J.J. Moser (90) in overtime during an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 13, 2023, in Tempe, Ariz. The Canucks won 5-4. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
New York Islanders center Bo Horvat (14) skates with the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Wednesday, March 29, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Former Canuck captain Horvat clarifies ‘better than Vancouver’ comment

‘I didn’t mean any disrespect to the fans of Vancouver, the teammates or city of Vancouver at all’

New York Islanders center Bo Horvat (14) skates with the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Wednesday, March 29, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Vancouver Canucks’ Andrei Kuzmenko celebrates after scoring during third period NHL hockey action against the St. Louis Blues Tuesday, March 28, 2023, in St. Louis. Coach Rick Tocchet says Canucks forward Kuzmenko won’t wear a themed warm-up jersey when Vancouver hosts its annual Pride night on Friday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Jeff Roberson

Vancouver Canucks winger Andrei Kuzmenko won’t wear Pride warm-up jersey: coach

NHLPA: Whether a player wears the themed jersey comes down to individual rights,

Vancouver Canucks’ Andrei Kuzmenko celebrates after scoring during third period NHL hockey action against the St. Louis Blues Tuesday, March 28, 2023, in St. Louis. Coach Rick Tocchet says Canucks forward Kuzmenko won’t wear a themed warm-up jersey when Vancouver hosts its annual Pride night on Friday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Jeff Roberson
Two players from the Ridge Meadows Minor Hockey Association will be joining the Vancouver Canucks for the national anthem during the March 31 game at Rogers Arena. (Brandon Tucker/The News)

Lower Mainland players join Vancouver Canucks for national anthem at March 31 game

Adaira Matheson and Linden Hartford will be there to promote the Kraft Hockeyville contest

Two players from the Ridge Meadows Minor Hockey Association will be joining the Vancouver Canucks for the national anthem during the March 31 game at Rogers Arena. (Brandon Tucker/The News)
Minnesota State’s Akito Hirose (2) and St. Cloud State’s Kevin Fitzgerald (28) watch the puck during the third period of an NCAA men’s Frozen Four hockey semifinal in Pittsburgh, Thursday, April 8, 2021. The Vancouver Canucks have signed free-agent defenceman Hirose to a two-year, entry-level contract, the team announced Wednesday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Keith Srakocic

Canucks sign college standout Akito Hirose to entry-level contract

College free agent defenceman inks a one-year deal

Minnesota State’s Akito Hirose (2) and St. Cloud State’s Kevin Fitzgerald (28) watch the puck during the third period of an NCAA men’s Frozen Four hockey semifinal in Pittsburgh, Thursday, April 8, 2021. The Vancouver Canucks have signed free-agent defenceman Hirose to a two-year, entry-level contract, the team announced Wednesday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Keith Srakocic
Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet, front left, and general manager Patrik Allvin listen during a news conference after the NHL hockey team announced Tocchet’s hiring, in Vancouver, on Sunday, January 22, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: Of course, the worst has (predictably) happened, the Canucks are good again

Is management going to buy into this late-season resurgence, or is major surgery still on the way?

Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet, front left, and general manager Patrik Allvin listen during a news conference after the NHL hockey team announced Tocchet’s hiring, in Vancouver, on Sunday, January 22, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Northeastern Huskies forward Aidan McDonough (25) during an NCAA hockey game against the Merrimack Warriors on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Boston, Massachusetts. The Vancouver Canucks have signed McDonough to a two-year entry-level contract. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Adam Glanzman

Canucks sign forward Aidan McDonough to two-year entry-level contract

Former 7th-round draft pick inks deal after completing his college career

Northeastern Huskies forward Aidan McDonough (25) during an NCAA hockey game against the Merrimack Warriors on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Boston, Massachusetts. The Vancouver Canucks have signed McDonough to a two-year entry-level contract. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Adam Glanzman
Vancouver Canucks’ Phillip Di Giuseppe (left) celebrates with teammate Brock Boeser after scoring a goal against the Philadelphia Flyers during third period NHL hockey action in Vancouver, B.C., Saturday, February 18, 2023. Di Giuseppe has agreed to a two-year, two-way contract extension with the Vancouver Canucks, the team announced Sunday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Rich Lam

Canucks, Di Giuseppe agree on 2-year, 2-way contract extension

29-year-old winger has 2 goals and 2 assists in 13 games with Vancouver

Vancouver Canucks’ Phillip Di Giuseppe (left) celebrates with teammate Brock Boeser after scoring a goal against the Philadelphia Flyers during third period NHL hockey action in Vancouver, B.C., Saturday, February 18, 2023. Di Giuseppe has agreed to a two-year, two-way contract extension with the Vancouver Canucks, the team announced Sunday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Rich Lam
Vancouver Canucks’ Curtis Lazar, left, and Tampa Bay Lightning’s Alex Killorn vie for the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Wednesday, January 18, 2023. The Canucks dealt forward Lazar to the New Jersey Devils for a fourth-round pick at the 2024 draft on Friday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Work still to be done revamping Vancouver Canucks roster: Allvin

‘I believe there is more to do here, we’re not happy where we are’

Vancouver Canucks’ Curtis Lazar, left, and Tampa Bay Lightning’s Alex Killorn vie for the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Wednesday, January 18, 2023. The Canucks dealt forward Lazar to the New Jersey Devils for a fourth-round pick at the 2024 draft on Friday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
New Vancouver Canuck Filip Hronek has nine goals and 29 assists in 60 games for Detroit this season. The Canadian Press

Vancouver Canucks acquire defenceman Hronek from Red Wings for picks

First-rounder acquired in the Bo Horvat trade is the biggest piece going to Detroit

New Vancouver Canuck Filip Hronek has nine goals and 29 assists in 60 games for Detroit this season. The Canadian Press
Vancouver Canucks’ J.T. Miller (9) competes for control of the puck with New York Islanders’ Alexander Romanov (28) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023, in Elmont, N.Y. Miller is out week-to-week with a lower-body injury, the team announced Monday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Frank Franklin II)

Canucks forward J.T. Miller out week-to-week with lower-body injury

Vancouver also acquire prospect Josh Bloom in exchange for defenceman Riley Stillman

Vancouver Canucks’ J.T. Miller (9) competes for control of the puck with New York Islanders’ Alexander Romanov (28) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023, in Elmont, N.Y. Miller is out week-to-week with a lower-body injury, the team announced Monday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Frank Franklin II)
Abbotsford’s Jake Virtanen (red jersey) has irritated his teammates who now want him off the roster. (EHC Visp Instagram)

Swiss League team forces management to remove Abbotsford’s Jake Virtanen ahead of playoffs

Former Vancouver Canucks first round draft pick is reportedly very unpopular with EHC Visp players

Abbotsford’s Jake Virtanen (red jersey) has irritated his teammates who now want him off the roster. (EHC Visp Instagram)
Abbotsford’s Jake Virtanen (red jersey) will compete in the Swiss League playoffs starting next week. (EHC Visp Instagram)

Abbotsford’s Jake Virtanen set to compete in the Swiss League playoffs

Former Vancouver Canucks first round draft pick collects 25 points in 21 games for Visp EHC

Abbotsford’s Jake Virtanen (red jersey) will compete in the Swiss League playoffs starting next week. (EHC Visp Instagram)
Then-Vancouver Canuck Bo Horvat prepares to take a faceoff during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Columbus Blue Jackets in Vancouver, on Friday, January 27, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Islanders sign Horvat to 8-year deal after trading for him

Deal is worth $68 million and runs in to the 2030-31 season

Then-Vancouver Canuck Bo Horvat prepares to take a faceoff during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Columbus Blue Jackets in Vancouver, on Friday, January 27, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Vancouver Canucks’ Bo Horvat, left, and Elias Pettersson celebrate Horvat’s goal against the Los Angeles Kings during the first period of a pre-season NHL hockey game in Vancouver, B.C., on Thursday September 20, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Bo Horvat, Elias Pettersson ready for ‘last ride’ together at NHL all-star game

‘Tough to see it happen, but business is business’

Vancouver Canucks’ Bo Horvat, left, and Elias Pettersson celebrate Horvat’s goal against the Los Angeles Kings during the first period of a pre-season NHL hockey game in Vancouver, B.C., on Thursday September 20, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet, back, stands behind Ilya Mikheyev, from left to right, Bo Horvat and Brock Boeser during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks in Vancouver, on Tuesday, January 24, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: Playing out the string should give the Canucks plenty of time for evaluation

Situation offers new coach Rick Tocchet a chance to give himself an extended training camp

Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet, back, stands behind Ilya Mikheyev, from left to right, Bo Horvat and Brock Boeser during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks in Vancouver, on Tuesday, January 24, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Vancouver Canucks’ Bo Horvat skates off the ice after being named the first star of an NHL hockey game against the Columbus Blue Jackets in Vancouver, on Friday, January 27, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: Horvat trade looks to be a premature swing and a missed opportunity

Canucks didn’t address their most pressing needs and probably should have waited

Vancouver Canucks’ Bo Horvat skates off the ice after being named the first star of an NHL hockey game against the Columbus Blue Jackets in Vancouver, on Friday, January 27, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Vancouver Canucks captain Bo Horvat prepares to take a faceoff during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Columbus Blue Jackets in Vancouver, on Friday, January 27, 2023. The rebuild of the Vancouver Canucks has begun, with centre Horvat heading to the New York Islanders. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Canucks like timing, return in trading captain Bo Horvat to Islanders

Allvin says Pettersson and Hughes could be potential replacements as captain

Vancouver Canucks captain Bo Horvat prepares to take a faceoff during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Columbus Blue Jackets in Vancouver, on Friday, January 27, 2023. The rebuild of the Vancouver Canucks has begun, with centre Horvat heading to the New York Islanders. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Vancouver Canucks’ Andrei Kuzmenko celebrates his first goal against the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Tuesday, January 24, 2023. In a season marked by loss and frustration, the Russian forward with the dimpled grin, gravity defying hair and enthusiastic goal celebrations has been a rare bright spot both on and off the ice. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

‘Why not sign two years?:’ Vancouver Canucks winger Kuzmenko happy with extension

Russian winger inks $5.5 million deal keeping him in Vancouver until 2025

Vancouver Canucks’ Andrei Kuzmenko celebrates his first goal against the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Tuesday, January 24, 2023. In a season marked by loss and frustration, the Russian forward with the dimpled grin, gravity defying hair and enthusiastic goal celebrations has been a rare bright spot both on and off the ice. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck