Breadcrumb Trail Links
SportsHockeyNHLVancouver Canucks
Pain and misery remains the theme to the Vancouver Canucks’ season.
Get the latest from Patrick Johnston straight to your inbox Sign Up
Published Feb 28, 2026  • 3 minute read
You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.
Drew O’Connor of the Vancouver Canucks shoots against Joey Daccord of the Seattle Kraken Feb. 28, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images Photo by Steph Chambers /Getty ImagesArticle content
Just going to be honest here: the last game your author watched was the gold medal final in Milan.
Advertisement 2
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
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.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
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.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
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.
THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
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
or
Article content
In other words, this is confirmation that game 59 of this miserable Vancouver Canucks season is nowhere close to the best game ever played.
Article content
Article content
It’s a drastic shift really.
Shocking, isn’t it?
These Canucks, well, they’re trying to be something new. Not today, that’s for sure.
One day maybe.
Not with many, if any, of these players.
This was a night where you were better off watching the Vancouver Whitecaps, who have picked up where they left off last season: their games are far more fun than the Canucks’.
One day maybe we’ll say they’re the same. (No don’t make a joke about how the Whitecaps might make this easy on all of us by moving. No one wants that.)
Anyway, if you sat through this game, good for you. Maybe you’ll agree with these grades.
Forwards
Early, good defensive work but gets demoted in game both off his line and then the top power play.
Evander Kane C+
Led a rush with ambition early and showed some life at times. He’s trying to show he’s still got something and he knows that’s his only hope of getting out of here.
Canucks Report
Thanks for signing up!
Article content
Advertisement 3
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Jake DeBrusk C. If he’s going to be a solution here, he needs to show more. If he’s going to get out of here, he needs to show more. Either way, you get the point.
Marco Rossi C+
Canucks controlled play well with him on the ice, anyway.
Drew O’Connor C+
You know what you’re getting from him every night. Remains the leading candidate for most exciting player, which is good for him, not great for the Canucks.
Nils Hoglander of the Vancouver Canucks skates against the Seattle Kraken Feb. 28, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images Photo by Steph Chambers /Getty Images
Where has that great scorer gone?
He’s picked up where he was before the Olympics (and really during the Olympics too): a guy who plays with heart every night. A smart team is going to trade for him.
Liam Ohgren B
Scored a goal. He’s playing well in the midst of all this ugly Canucks hockey.
So far from vintage Garland. If you’re trading him, he’s not exactly at his best.
David Kampf C+
Continues to be fine.
Low man on the ice timetable; he gives you energy but is he ever going to score again? Remember when he scored goals?
Advertisement 4
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Linus Karlsson C+
He does bring it every night and deserves more ice time than he’s been getting.
Defence
Elias Junior Pettersson C
A nice enough first period, even as his team was sinking around him. Missed some physicality.
Filip Hronek C+
Moving puck well as ever. Showed some feistiness in the second.
Marcus Pettersson B-
One of his better games in quite some time. Too bad it didn’t really matter.
Tom Willander C-
Really tough defensive night for the rookie. Struggled to defend in zone too often. Moved the puck well. Bit of a standard game for him this season.
Zeev Buium C
Moved puck well but still made some poor defensive reads.
P-O Joseph C+
The fact you so rarely hear from him is a point in his favour.
Goalie
Kevin Lankinen C+
Not much help on the first two goals. Got beat on a big league move by Jordan Eberle for the third goal. He was fine. Hard to steal a win when your team only scores once though.
Read More
Canucks: Tyler Myers absent from practice but still not traded
Canucks: Why a Tyler Myers trade scenario is vital for the rebuild
Article content
Share this article in your social network