7 young Canucks players who could take a big step forward next season
Vancouver Canucks fans are used to chaos, drama, and mediocrity.
But things were on a different level last season.
If it wasn’t for the ill-fated Bill LaForge experiment of the mid-1980s, there’s a strong chance that Adam Foote would have gone down as the worst head coach in Canucks history.
Replacing him with Manny Malhotra should automatically provide a boost for several young Canucks players.
A more structured approach under Malhotra should benefit this rebuilding Canucks team. And while no one is expecting them to make serious noise in the standings, there are a handful of guys who could experience meaningful breakout seasons.
1. Liam Ohgren
Let’s start with the winger who could conceivably play first-line minutes for the Canucks to start the season.
Because the Canucks don’t have many (if any) true, reliable top-six wingers, Ohgren could begin his campaign in a top-six role.
During nine April games for the Canucks in 2025-26, Ohgren averaged over 17 minutes per game. Not bad for a guy who averaged under 10 minutes a night with the Minnesota Wild prior to joining Vancouver.
They weren’t perfect, but Ohgren flashed some chemistry with Marco Rossi and Brock Boeser to end the season. The fitness freak could conceivably hit another gear with increased opportunity in 2026-27.
2. Zeev Buium
Will Zeev Buium flourish in his first full season with the Canucks? (Simon Fearn/Imagn Images)
Expectations were probably unfairly high for Zeev Buium after joining the Canucks in December.
After all, he was the primary piece Vancouver received in the Quinn Hughes trade. He also became a full-time NHLer last season after a decorated NCAA career.
Buium showed flashes of being a top-pairing defenceman last season. At times, he also looked like a defenceman who just turned 20 years old, figuring out life in the NHL under an overmatched head coach.
Buium should slot alongside Filip Hronek on the top pairing. If he could usurp, or join, Hronek on the Canucks power play, that would also boost his breakout potential.
3. Jonathan Lekkerimäki
He might be the biggest wild card among Canucks breakout candidates.
Jonathan Lekkerimäki has been a goal-scoring machine in the Abbotsford Canucks over the last two seasons. In 2024-25, he scored 19 goals in 26 games. His 0.528 goals per game ranked sixth in the entire AHL and first for U23 players,
Last season, he potted 13 goals in just 21 games, good for a 0.619 goals per game rate, which ranked fifth in the AHL and second among U23 skaters.
Unfortunately, injuries and bad luck have been his downfall.
Lekkerimaki’s season ended back in February, as he underwent shoulder surgery. Since being drafted, he’s also battled absences due to a foot injury and mononucleosis.
If he can stay healthy, there’s a strong chance Lekkerimaki could cement himself as a top-six winger on this Canucks team. Or, he might be better suited going to Abbotsford and continuing to dominate on a top line, potentially alongside Braeden Cootes.
4. Aatu Räty
Jerome Miron/Imagn Images
Is third time the charm for Aatu Räty?
The Finnish centre impressed during his first full training camp with the Canucks in 2024-25. He began the season in Vancouver before ultimately being sent down to the AHL.
Last year, Raty looked a step behind the pack, although he said his injury during the Abbotsford Canucks’ Calder Cup run wasn’t a factor. Regardless, his work rate shone through, and by December, he led the Canucks in points at five-on-five.
But, for some reason, that wasn’t enough to win over Foote. Raty was in and out of the press box, especially after the Canucks signed David Kampf.
Raty has the right attitude to succeed, and he previously played good hockey under Malhotra. If Filip Chytil isn’t healthy, he has a clear spot on the third line, which should provide him more opportunity than last season.
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5. Nikita Tolopilo
Much like Lekkerimaki, Nikita Tolopilo could find himself barely playing NHL games. Or, he could be a key player for the Canucks.
While Thatcher Demko has been spotted in Vancouver training this offseason, you can’t bank on him staying healthy.
If Demko is unable to start the season, or, God forbid, his Sami Salo-esque availability rears its ugly head, then Tolopilo could be in line to start for the Canucks.
The Belarusian netminder outplayed Kevin Lankinen last season. What’s to say that doesn’t happen again if Demko is unavailable?
And, theoretically, he should perform better with more structure and a less chaotic environment in front of him.
6. Tom Willander
Tom Willander earned more trust as the 2025-26 season went on. (@Canucks/X)
Tom Willander made the NHL quicker than even he thought he would.
Like every young defenceman on the Canucks last season, there were some trying moments. But as the season went on, he began to earn more trust from the previous coaching regime.
The caveat with a Willander breakout is that his projected partner, Jamie Oleksiak, isn’t as sound defensively as Marcus Pettersson.
But Willander is one of the Canucks top prospects for a reason, and there will be opportunity aplenty for him to succeed.
7. Victor Mancini
Victor Mancini might have encapsulated the chaos of Canucks hockey last season.
The talented, young defenceman was consistently caught out of position, chasing the game in his own end. His Game Score last season was second-worst among all NHLers (minimum 20 games played).
But there might not be a guy more in line for a Malhotra bump.
Mancini played arguably his best hockey for Malhotra during the Abbotsford Canucks Calder Cup run. He played on a top, shutdown-pairing alongside Guillaume Brisebois. The 6-foot-5 blueliner was also a primary penalty killer, and frequently showcased his beautiful skating stride through the neutral zone.
He just has to beat out 36-year-old Luke Schenn for an everyday spot. If Mancini does, he could be the sneakiest breakout candidate on the Canucks’ roster.