Demko and Hoglander are ready to contribute but Canucks are thin down middle in quest for victories<\/p>\n
Published Dec 10, 2025 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated 24\u00a0minutes ago \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 10 minute read<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n You can save this article by registering for free here<\/a>. Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n Welcome to Canucks Live. Here we\u2019ll highlight some of the news that drops daily about the Canucks. Come back throughout the day as we update with all the news you need to know. If you haven\u2019t done so already, sign up for our Canucks Report<\/a> to get our stories delivered to your inbox every day.<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events.Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account.The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.<\/p>\n SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events.Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account.The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Account<\/p>\n or<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve wished about seeing a full-strength Canucks team in the flesh, Thursday may be your best bet. The Sabres are coming to town, it\u2019s the last Canucks home game before Christmas, and Thatcher Demko<\/a> is supposed to be back in net after missing the last 12 games. Nils Hoglander<\/a> has been back for a couple of games now and Elias Pettersson<\/a> looks like he may return after missing the last couple of games with an injury.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Elias Pettersson<\/a> won\u2019t play Thursday, tested ailment in solo skate<\/p>\n The Canucks were hoping the Swedish centre would be a full participant Wednesday at practice. He skated on his own Wednesday morning to test the state of recovery from his upper-body ailment.<\/p>\n Pettersson has missed two games with the injury, the nature of which has not be revealed. Canucks head coach Adam Foote said this of Pettersson in Tuesday: \u201cI talked to him this morning and he felt better. It\u2019s good news. It\u2019s a big step and he should be practising tomorrow (Wednesday).\u201d<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Foote said following practice Wednesday that Pettersson is \u201cunlikely\u201d to face the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday, but will be on five-game road trip that opens Sunday with a matinee in New Jersey.<\/p>\n Pettersson is tied for the team lead in scoring with 22 points (8-14). He\u2019s only had one goal in the last six games, but before that went on an encouraging run of a dozen points (4-8) in nine games. He leads all NHL forwards in blocked shots (51) and it will be interesting to see if he can keep up that bravado coming off injury.<\/p>\n Same thing with contact and his shot. Pettersson can take a hit and will throw reverse hit.<\/p>\n Foote on trade rumours: \u2018You try not to think about it, but it\u2019s there\u2019<\/p>\n The constant Quinn Hughes<\/a> trade rumours continue to dominate social media, talk shows, podcasts, and TV sportscasts.<\/p>\n Canucks Report<\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n In a candid post-practice scrum with a few reporters Wednesday, Foote put the rumour-mill circus into perspective. The bench boss is trying to teach the last-place Canucks how to defend better, bury their scoring chances, and remain professional amid losing, plethora of team injuries and what may become of the captain.<\/p>\n The Detroit Red Wings, New Jersey Devils and Philadelphia have been front-runners in speculation and now the Washington Capitals have been included in what it would take to pry a Norris Trophy winning and generational talent away from Vancouver.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re trying not think about it, but it\u2019s there,\u201d Foote admitted of the trade talk. \u201cYou feel it certain days more than others. I can feel it and the guys can feel it \u2014 they\u2019re human. It can affect a lockerroom for sure, but I give the guys a lot of credit. They\u2019re in a tough spot hearing the noise and they keep coming to work every day and keep doing their jobs.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re pros, and that\u2019s what they\u2019re supposed to do, but they can hear it. It probably affects some players more than others.\u201d<\/p>\n Advertisement 5<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Practice lines, pairings Wednesday at RA:<\/p>\n Boeser-Kampf-Garland. Hughes-Hronek. \u2014 Ben Kuzma \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 (@benkuzma) December 10, 2025<\/a>Heard the latest? Quinn Hughes<\/a> to Capitals is new rumour<\/p>\n Unfortunately the biggest news in Canuckworld these days is still the future of Quinn Hughes. Every day there\u2019s a new rumour. It seems most of the connections involve of course New Jersey because of Hughes\u2019 brothers who play there. Coincidentally the Canucks play the Devils this weekend so expect those stories to crank up. Detroit is also a well-known suitor. A new one that\u2019s not really popped up, but actually makes sense, is Hughes to Washington where there\u2019s thinking they want to load up for one last playoff run for Alexander Ovechkin. Sportsnet \u201cInsider\u201d Elliotte Friedman did an appearance in Washington media and spoke extensively about it.<\/p>\n Elliotte Friedman floated the Washington Capitals specifically as a potential landing spot during Tuesday\u2019s episode of NHL Network\u2019s First Shift Podcast with Mike Kelly and EJ Hradek.<\/p>\n Advertisement 6<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cOne team I\u2019ve wondered about a little bit, and I think there was some noise around them on social today, was Washington,\u201d Friedman said. \u201cThis is a special time for the Capitals. Who knows how much longer Ovechkin\u2019s going to be playing? They\u2019re a team I could see say, \u2018You know what, we\u2019ll take our chances,\u2019 potentially, if they can make a deal. So that was one team I thought of. I think if he gets traded, it\u2019s most likely [to the] East.\u201d<\/p>\n Hughes is signed to his current contract through next season (2026-27) at a $7.85 million cap hit with no trade protections. The Capitals currently have $3.34 million in cap space, although they could easily free more up by placing Pierre-Luc Dubois ($8.5 million AAV) on long-term injured reserve.<\/p>\n Advertisement 7<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n According to PuckPedia, the Capitals are also set to have $10.25 million in trade deadline space. Friedman shed more light on what the Canucks could be looking for during the eventual bidding war and negotiations.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat I\u2019m looking at are teams that have a centre and [Vancouver is] probably going to want a D to replace Hughes,\u201d Friedman said. \u201cSo, you go up and down the prospects. You look over the young NHL players. Washington, I think it depends on how you feel about some of their players. I always assume, guys, that there\u2019s someone out there that you\u2019re not thinking about. Until someone sent me a note today about Washington, I hadn\u2019t thought about them.\u201d<\/p>\n The Capitals do have the premier prospects and young players that would fit those needs. Down the middle, the team has prospect names like Ilya Protas and Milton G\u00e4strin and slightly older, NHL talent like Connor McMichael, Justin Sourdif, and Hendrix Lapierre. On defence, the most obvious prospect name would be Cole Hutson, who, like Hughes, is a left-handed offensive defenceman, but the club also has the 25-year-old Sandin, as well as recent high draft picks Leon Muggli and Ryan Chesley.<\/p>\n Advertisement 8<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n You may be depressed about Hughes not re-signing as a Canuck but there are lots of options. Here\u2019s what Bookies.com are offering for where Hughes will be for the 2026 season.<\/p>\n Detroit Red Wings | +150 (40.0 per cent)<\/p>\n New Jersey Devils | +225 (30.8 per cent)<\/p>\n Philadelphia Flyers | +700 (12.5 per cent)<\/p>\n Vancouver Canucks<\/a> | +1200 (7.7 per cent)<\/p>\n Toronto Maple Leafs | +1600 (5.9 per cent)<\/p>\n The Field | +1400 (6.7 per cent)\u00a0<\/p>\n So 7.7 per cent? You\u2019re telling me there\u2019s a chance?<\/p>\n What and who the Wings or Devils could package for Hughes?<\/p>\n Let\u2019s take a look at who the Detroit Red Wings and the New Jersey Devils could package. Here\u2019s a sampling of the trade speculation, this time from thehockeywriters.com.<\/p>\n The trade (with Detroit):<\/a><\/p>\n Detroit gets: LD Quinn Hughes Advertisement 9<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Starting with Danielson, Vancouver gets a two-way pivot with second-line upside. He would slot in nicely behind Elias Pettersson moving forward. And from what I\u2019ve heard, the Canucks are looking for a quality center and had interest in Danielson going back to the 2023 NHL Draft.<\/p>\n Augustine would give Vancouver a goalie of the future that could eventually take over for Thatcher Demko<\/a>. It\u2019s expected that he\u2019ll turn pro after Michigan State\u2019s 2025-26 season ends, and should start for Abbotsford (AHL) in 2026-27.<\/p>\n The trade (with New Jersey):<\/a><\/p>\n Hughes to the Devils in exchange for Simon Nemec, Mercer, Siegenthaler, their 2026 first-round pick, their 2027 first-round pick, and their 2027 second-round pick.<\/p>\n The obvious choice first is moving out\u00a0Dawson Mercer, who has a $4 million cap hit, and would be an enticing addition for the Canucks.<\/p>\n Advertisement 10<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n The Canucks would also likely be looking for at least one defender in return to try and keep their depth solid. One name that could make sense is Jonas Siegenthaler, who has a $3.4 million cap hit, and could make the money work if he\u2019s packaged with Mercer.<\/p>\n Anyone want to play GM in this maybe-fantasy role playing game?<\/p>\n The Athletic did an interesting take on NHL attendance<\/a>. Season ticket numbers for the Canucks are still healthy but there were loads of tickets available for Monday\u2019s game against the Red Wings for less than $40 a seat. Still to this point the Canucks have a 99 per cent capacity percentage at the moment.<\/p>\n Vancouver will be an interesting market to watch moving forward. The Canucks\u2019 early attendance has been robust, but apathy is hitting the fan base as the club has plummeted down the standings, with the dark cloud of Quinn Hughes\u2019 uncertain future looming. The Canucks have recently offered more discounted \u201cStudent Rush\u201d tickets than usual, suggesting demand is starting to soften, even if it hasn\u2019t affected attendance totals yet.<\/p>\n Advertisement 11<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n The Winter Olympics in Italy are just seven weeks away, but the deadline for rosters is December 31. ESPN has done a roster projection<\/a> and there\u2019s not a ton of Olympic content. Despite the Canucks being littered with American players, in the projection Quinn Hughes is the only one who makes it. No one in consideration for Canada, obviously. And Elias Pettersson being picked as a winger for Sweden. Kevin Lankinen is in goal for Finland, Filip Hronek<\/a> is in, Filip Chytill (!!!) in \u2018consideration\u2019 along with David Kampf. The lack of Canucks content on Canadian teams over the years has never been strong, outside of Roberto Luongo, but I think Canuck fans will just be hoping for any players who go there to come back healthy and for everyone else to get a good rest and reset.<\/p>\n Advertisement 12<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Elias Pettersson is one of the players at the heart of this conversation. He faced questions at the start of the season about whether he would be a better fit at center or on the wing, considering his offensive struggles along with Sweden\u2019s additional options down the middle. Pettersson came into Dec. 8 averaging 0.79 points per game, while on a team that is in the bottom third of the NHL in goals per game. He also missed the Canucks\u2019 past two games with a lower-body injury.<\/p>\n Filip Chytil, who has had his career interrupted by injuries, sustained an upper-body injury this season that has kept him on IR since Oct. 20. He resumed skating in mid-November but a timeline has not been given for his return. Jiri Kulich remains out indefinitely with blood clots, while Tomas Nosek continues to recover from a knee injury with the expectation he will miss the Olympics. Czechia\u2019s front office is also monitoring Michal Kempny\u2019s status after he sustained an injury on Nov. 27 while playing in Sweden, with no reported timetable for his return.<\/p>\n Advertisement 13<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Chytil and Kempny are included on my roster because there appears to be enough of a runway for them to prepare for the Olympics. If not, that would leave Czechia seeking another forward to fill its top nine while also losing one of its top six defencemen.\u00a0<\/p>\n Did Canucks turn down a deal for Minnesota Wild centre Marco Rossi?<\/p>\n In an article for The Athletic\u00a0 Michael Russo and Joe Smith are reporting the Canucks are interested in Marco Rossi<\/a> possibly for Kiefer Sherwood. But it\u2019s this nugget that makes us think what could have been\u2026<\/p>\n Ironically, the Canucks turned down an offer from the Wild for Rossi at the draft that would have involved Aatu Raty (scored two goals and an assist and had one goal overturned against the Wild on Saturday night), the No. 15 pick and goalie Arturs Silovs<\/a>.<\/p>\n Advertisement 14<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Scott Maxwell of Canucks Army explains the Canucks situation at the time:<\/a><\/p>\n Vancouver was in desperate need of another centre behind Elias Pettersson after trading J.T. Miller<\/a> to the New York Rangers. In that trade, the Canucks acquired Filip Chytil, who had primarily served as a third-line centre. After rejecting the Wild\u2019s trade proposal, the Canucks failed to acquire a centre through trade or free agency. Instead, they allowed Pius Suter<\/a> to test the market and ultimately sign a two-year, $4.125 million AAV deal with the St. Louis Blues.<\/p>\n So it makes us wonder if this really was a deal on the table why did the Canucks balk on it. And are there do-overs?<\/p>\n Check back for more Canucks news throughout the day \u2026<\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n Canucks: Will return of motivated, reflective Thatcher Demko help steady listing ship?<\/p>\n![\"canucks](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1454911933_275089036.jpg\")
When Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes are on the ice together five-on-five, the Canucks have taken 51.3 per cent of the shot attempts. Photo by Jeff Vinnick \/NHLI via Getty ImagesArticle content<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/20.1.2\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-vp.svg\"){kind=logo}
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Kane-O\u2019Connor-Sherwood.
DeBrusk-Sasson-Karlsson.
Hoglander-Raty-Bains.<\/p>\n
E. Pettersson-Myers.
M. Pettersson-Willander.#Canucks<\/a><\/p>\n
Vancouver gets: C\u00a0Nate Danielson, G Trey Augustine, LD Albert Johansson, LW Max Plante, and an unprotected 2026 first-round pick.
To acquire a player of Hughes\u2019 caliber, it\u2019s going to cost a lot. The Red Wings are essentially trading two first rounders (Danielson and the 2026 pick), what\u2019s basically another first in Augustine, and two solid former second-round picks with upside in Johansson and Plante.<\/p>\n![\"Heathy](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2062296231.jpg\")
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