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GM Ryan Johnson is in no rush to name a captain — the right person “eventually rises to the surface,” he says — but in a rebuild, timing is crucial.
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Published Jun 03, 2026 • 4 minute read
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Vancouver Canucks winger Brock Boeser didn’t have a lot of smile about during the torturous 2025-26 season, but is willing to lead by example in the roster rebuild. Photo by Alex Goodlett /Getty ImagesArticle content
Been there. Done that. Felt the joy. And the pain.
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If Brock Boeser was applying for captaincy of the Vancouver Canucks, that could be his opening statement.
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Of course, the longest-serving member of the current club wouldn’t lobby for that lofty and influential position — that’s simply not his style — but in a roster rebuild where the culture component is crucial, his devotion to the franchise and the city stands alone.
Canucks General Manager Ryan Johnson stated Tuesday there is no urgency to fill the vacant captaincy.
“Through my time in managing teams, I am a firm believer that the captaincy presents itself,” he said. “It eventually rises to the surface, where you just don’t have a choice. It’s in your gut and everybody can feel it.
“I don’t like forcing that position on someone that might change the dynamic of your team, or might change that player, when it (captaincy) is not that obvious or that accepted by a group. I’ve seen it during my time as a player and as a GM in the AHL.
“I’ve been very strategic even about assistant captains, and I don’t think those are things you just hand around. I think they’re earned. We (hockey operations) are coming in with a clean slate and nothing is going to be assumed.
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“We’ll go through the initial parts of training camp and make some decisions on people that we think are here and able to deliver the environment that we intend to build.”
Canucks winger Kiefer Sherwood, who was traded Jan. 26, celebrates his goal with Brock Boeser on Nov. 18 in Tampa. Photo by Bruce Bennett /Getty Images
It is customary for the best player to wear the “C”, but that’s a slippery slope in a market that demands much more from its leader. It encompasses performance, accountability, availability, articulating, charity awareness and, above all, respect from teammates.
Boeser, 29, is a good player and a great person. He also got married in the offseason and is in a good place.
His professionalism in enduring trade deadline speculation, compassion for others, and willingness to own substandard performances, are what the rebuild is about. There will be plenty of pain and losing streaks, but he is the salve to help heal wounds because he has endured plenty on and off the ice.
Boeser also slogged through a sorrowful 2025-26 campaign that tested his mettle on several levels.
There was a production drop to 22 goals after putting up 40 two seasons ago. There was the NHL’s version of the “Green Jacket” for the worst plus-minus rating (minus-48 ) more laughable than logical. It spoke more to the collective disconnect and the last-place Canucks giving up the most goals.
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Line changes were awkward and slow, defencemen were regularly caught pinching, and turnovers were too frequent. Just briefly hopping the boards and having nothing to do with easy even-strength goals surrendered by a young and evolving back end ran up the minuses.
Not that Boeser didn’t own it.
His line was culpable, but the winger also battled nagging ailments throughout the season — he was often in treatment post-game — and never acknowledged injuries as an excuse for that plus-minus total.
“It obviously hurts, and I take pride in it,” Boeser told this reporter in early April. “It’s why I get so frustrated. I want guys to really focus on what the coaches are preaching, our plan going into games, and executing.
“We make so many mistakes and they turn into a goal, and it’s every single game. That’s where some of the immaturity is in our team. But it’s part of the process and part of getting better.”
When former captain Quinn Hughes was dealt to the Minnesota Wild on Dec. 12 in a blockbuster trade, it shook the foundation and created a void. It is hard to replace a generational talent, and the ripple effect showed as production and losses piled up.
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Boeser went 15 games without scoring, and when the trade dominoes kept falling to force the Canucks into a roster rebuild, it took a toll. However, after the trade deadline, he responded with 14 points in 10 games, including a hat-trick on April 1.
“There was just a lot going on,” added Boeser. “I had some stuff going on mentally. Then you trade Quinn and it definitely shifts our whole team. Obviously, the way he drove play was crazy and he’s one of my best friends. That hits you.
“The transition was tough and different with a lot of new faces, and we get to the deadline and trade more guys. Obviously, the direction was going rebuild and you can’t be a problem. You’ve got to help as much as you can.
“I re-signed here and it’s not like I’m just going to quit on the team or the boys. I show up every day and try to be a good leader. It doesn’t really change my mindset.”
That sounds like a captain.
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