The Vancouver Canucks get a chance to start anew when they host the Calgary Flames on Thursday night.
The Canucks come into the season hoping to bounce back after last season’s disappointment.
Plagued by drama, injuries and underperforming superstars, the Canucks ended the 2024-25 season six points shy of a postseason berth. Vancouver hoped to build off an impressive 2023-24 season in which it clinched the top spot in the Pacific Division.
The Canucks’ trying season also included a change behind the bench as Rick Tocchet stepped down on April 29, with Adam Foote taking over the role as head coach. A two-time Stanley Cup champion during his playing days, Foote had been an assistant for Vancouver since January 2023.
The biggest question mark for the Canucks going into the season is if Elias Pettersson can return to the 102-point player that they saw in 2022-23. Pettersson has struggled since signing an eight-year, $92.8 million contract, collecting just 45 points during an injury-plagued 64-game season in 2024-25.
Vancouver will be adding a youthful splash to its roster as 2025 first-round pick Braeden Cootes earned himself a spot on the team. The Canucks and Foote were impressed by what they saw from Cootes throughout the preseason and training camp.
“Great. He got better, he’s smart,” Foote said. “Obviously at times there might be an adjustment with certain things, but he’s handled it well and we’re just gonna take it day-to-day.”
Along with the youthful impact of Cootes, the Canucks will be hoping that veteran forward Evander Kane quickly can find success with his hometown team.
The Vancouver-native was acquired in a trade with the Edmonton Oilers, and just like the Canucks, he is eyeing an opportunity to prove himself. Kane missed the entire 2024-25 regular season while recovering from multiple surgeries.
Kane returned for the Oilers’ postseason run, totaling 12 points (six goals, six assists) across 21 games.
Meanwhile, the Flames come into the contest already having kicked off their campaign with a come-from-behind 4-3 shootout victory over the Oilers on Wednesday night.
Nazem Kadri capped off the three-goal comeback with the shootout-winning goal for Calgary.
Rookie Matvei Gridin scored his first career goal to ignite the rally.
Gridin, the Flames’ first-round selection in the 2024 NHL Draft, got some puck luck as his attempted pass banked off an Oilers defender and into the back of the net.
The 19-year-old was in good spirits following the contest.
“Bounced off the guy’s skate and went back on net. I’ll take it for first one.” Gridin remarked, smiling. “… You never forget your first game, right, and your first goal.”
Connor Zary and Blake Coleman each scored a goal for Calgary.
The Flames will be hoping to carry the momentum of their victory into the Thursday matchup. They posted a 2-0-2 record in the season series against the Canucks in 2024-25.
