Vancouver Canucks doing complicated salary cap gymnastics while dealing with injuries
The Vancouver Canucks are already a very banged-up bunch early on into the 2025-26 season.
Filip Chytil, Jonathan Lekkermaki, and Teddy Blueger all suffered injuries in Sunday’s win over the Washington Capitals. GM Patrik Allvin has since shared that Blueger is doubtful to play on Tuesday versus the Pittsburgh Penguins, though it doesn’t sound as if he’s dealing with anything too serious.
As for Chytil and Lekkermaki, both flew back to Vancouver to undergo further medical evaluation, suggesting they could miss some additional time. Meanwhile, Brock Boeser, who missed Sunday’s game for personal reasons, is a possibility for Tuesday’s outing against the Pens.
Per Canucks GM Patrik Allvin, Teddy Blueger is "doubtful" to play Tue in PGH but the return from leave of Brock Boeser is a "possibility."
Injured Filip Chytil and Jonathan Lekkerimaki flew back to Vancouver today with medical staff for further examination.
— Iain MacIntyre (@imacSportsnet) October 20, 2025
The Canucks have since announced that Lekkermaki and Chytil have been placed on injured reserve, while Nils Hoglander, who has yet to play this season, has been placed on long-term injured reserve to help give the Canucks a bit of cap relief. They’ve also recalled forward Joseph LaBate, as well as defenceman Jimmy Schuldt, from Abbotsford.
In another move, the Canucks announced that defenceman Victor Mancini has been sent to Abbotsford. This, once again, is a cap strategy move, though the 23-year-old blueliner will need to suit up for at least one AHL game before he is able to be recalled by the Canucks.
These moves are cap related to capture as much of Hoglander’s LTIR hit as possible.
Mancini has to play at least a game in Abby before being recalled as per new NHL rules.
Expect to see different roster moves tomorrow https://t.co/zfQ4MJsrSH
— Satiar Shah (@SatiarShah) October 20, 2025
These are tricky decisions to navigate for the Canucks, who are right up against the cap limit with just over $700,000 in space. Despite all the chaos as of late, however, they have managed to get off to a solid start this season, going 4-2-0 through their first six games.
That record is good enough for third in the Pacific Division, and has them just two points back of the Vegas Golden Knights for the division lead.
- You might also like:
- Pair of Vancouver Canucks players cozy up to FBI Director Kash Patel