Vancouver Canucks
· 2026-07-13
The Vancouver Canucks will kick off their 2026-27 pre-season with a four-game slate against the Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames, and Seattle Kraken—including a home-and-home against the Kraken. With the team currently 16th in the Western Conference (25-49 record) and on a losing streak, these matchups offer a chance for young players to make an impression before the regular season begins.
The schedule includes two games against the Seattle Kraken (September 19 and 26), one at the Calgary Flames (September 22), and a home tilt against the Edmonton Oilers (September 24). Unlike past years, the pre-season will feature just four games instead of six, reflecting the NHL’s expanded 84-game regular season.
With the Canucks next on the ice against the Kraken on September 20, these pre-season games serve as a proving ground for prospects like Riley Patterson, who made his AHL debut in 2025-26, and Braeden Cootes, the 2025 first-round pick who impressed enough to earn a roster spot last season. The Canucks’ 2026 NHL Draft selections—such as Caleb Malhotra, still developing in the NCAA—will also be under scrutiny.
The shortened pre-season means every shift counts for young players vying for roster spots. Last year, Cootes’ performance in camp led to his NHL debut in the season opener against the Flames. This year, the Canucks’ coaching staff will be evaluating Patterson’s offensive upside and whether other prospects can step into the lineup before the regular season tips off.
The Canucks’ pre-season schedule is designed to test depth while preparing for a challenging Western Conference. With the team’s next game against the Kraken just days away, these early matchups could set the tone for how Vancouver’s young core handles high-pressure situations.