Breadcrumb Trail Links
Cootes looks like a piece for the future but needs more seasoning
Published Mar 24, 2026 • Last updated 1 hour ago • 6 minute read
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Vancouver Canucks Braeden Cootes scores against Seatle Kraken goalie Matt Murray during the second period of the preseason game in Vancouver Sept. 26, 2025. Jeff Vinnick photo/Vancouver Canucks Photo by Jeff Vinnick /Jeff Vinnick/Vancouver CanucksArticle content
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The typical Vancouver spring weather makes for a soggy sojurn to Rogers Arena if you’re looking to go and see the Ducks tonight.
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There’s not a lot to highlight on a team that’s had a great season and pretty much locked into a playoff spot while the Canucks are 10,000 leagues under the sea at the NHL’s rock bottom.
If you’re a Ducks fan, prices are dropping fast, you can get in the building for $50 at last check of Stub Hub. As it gets closer to game time you may be able to get in for under $40.
A nugget of news on the Ducks rookie forward Beckett Sennecke being fined for embellishment. Now, this is hardly a punishing fine, but anything the NHL can do to crack down on this is a great thing.
Anaheim Ducks rookie forward Beckett Sennecke has been fined $2,000 under NHL Rule 64 for diving/embellishment.
Sennecke was previously issued a warning following an incident on March 8 against the St. Louis Blues. His second incident, which triggered the fine, was issued after he was whistled for embellishment against the Montreal Canadiens on Mar. 15 as he and Canadiens forward Josh Anderson (holding) received offsetting minor penalties on the play.
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GAME DAYPutting end to plunge of futility
The Canucks have won just eight games at home this sorry season. Think about that.
The franchise record for fewest triumphs is 10 established in the 1994-95 campaign.
It’s a long way from Rogers Arena domination in the 2023-24 season when the Canucks went a league best 27-9-5, put up 50 wins, captured the Pacific Division crown and nearly advanced to the Western Conference final.
The task won’t get any easier tonight to ease the pain of not performing before frustrated fans. Good idea to mix in a win tonight. The Canucks are 2-0 against the Ducks this season with a 5-4 triumph at The Pond on Nov. 26 and rare home-ice decision in a 2-0 blanking on Jan. 29.
Optional game-day skate. Kevin Lankinen gets the start. Pierre-Olivier Joseph may return to back end from injury rehab.
Projected lines versus Ducks:
Ohgren-Rossi-Boeser.
O’Connor-Pettersson-Kane.
Sasson-Blueger-Karlsson.
Douglas-Raty-DeBrusk.
The division-leading Anaheim Ducks staged a late rally Sunday in a 6-5 overtime victory to end the Buffalo Sabres’ seven-game road win streak was another indication that the Ducks can play it anyway you want. Low event, high drama or something in between, it’s worth a look at what they’re bringing to Rogers Arena on a 6-3-1 run.
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“They’re a very dangerous team,” said Sabres goalie Alex Lyon, who gave up the equalizer with 1:44 left Sunday before Troy Terry scored on an overtime breakaway. “I was extremely impressed with their offensive capability. It took me by surprise … how good their offensive game was.”
Added Canucks head coach Adam Foote: “I like how they surrounded their young defence with (John) Carlson to try and give them a push. And there’s the heaviness in (Radko) Gudas and (Jacob) Trouba to make them feel comfortable. That’s a good move.
“And at the high end, when you bring in guys like (Alex) Killorn and (Chris) Kreider, who are really good around the net with really good structure from teams over the years. They create off the rush and are learning not to play a back-and-forth game. When you play high-end rush, you can get burned that way.”
Summer trade rumours heating up
With the Canucks holding so little interest as they get to the end of the season the summer trade rumours have started again, and of course Elias Pettersson is at the tip of the spear. With the way Pettersson is looking to finish the season, a flash here and there but mostly the same lack of production and impact, it’s hard to imagine the Canucks getting anything of value for the NHL’s most overpaid player.
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Ben Kuzma has some keys to watch tonight, including getting goals, anyhow, any way as the league’s second-worst offence struggles to score.
It’s safe to say most Canucks fans are more interested in prospects, draft picks and the lottery than they are in what happens tonight at Rogers Arena. ESPN has ranked the top prospect on each team who isn’t currently playing in the NHL.
Braeden Cootes
Cootes is a one-man forechecking machine who already looks like an NHL player at age 19. His motor and energy are undeniably elite. His feet never stop moving, and he makes plays while absorbing hits, which separates him from other prospects.
Vancouver believed enough to put him on their opening night roster this season, before sending him back to the WHL to develop. Now with Prince Albert after a midseason trade, Cootes is leading the Raiders in scoring and driving a Memorial Cup contender. His playmaking is above average and his rush game is dynamic. He dangles with his feet moving, attacks the middle and skates through back pressure.
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Cootes’ defensive detail is already projectable, which is largely why he got to the NHL look to start the season. Vancouver — perhaps more than any other franchise — is starved for centres, and Cootes’ floor is a high-energy, third-line pivot. The ceiling is a matchup second-line centre with 65-point upside. He’d benefit from a full AHL season, where he can further develop both sides of his game and adjust to the speed of professional hockey.
It’s interesting to note how former Canucks are performing throughout the league. Of course the Wild are getting everything they thought they’d get from Quinn Hughes.
But it seems the Columbus Blue Jackets are thrilled with what they’re getting from Conor Garland.
If you’re like me, watching the Blue Jackets roll through the league is confusing and a little frightening. So I asked our Columbus beat writer Aaron Portzline to explain it to me.
The Blue Jackets were 19-19-7 when they fired Dean Evason on Jan. 12, and were dead last in the East. Since then, they’ve gone 18-3-4 under Rick Bowness and have moved into a playoff spot. What the heck happened in Columbus since the coaching change?
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There were several players who were quietly frustrated under Evason. Communication was a serious issue, especially for young players. But there were also issues with the Blue Jackets blowing late leads, and there didn’t seem to be any answers for how it was going to change.
Bowness, 71, is a master communicator. He’s not an appeaser — he can and will deliver a tough message when it’s needed — but he’s constantly checking in with players in the dressing room and on the bench.
He’s also been around long enough to see almost everything, and he’s a good enough coach to fix it. He doesn’t lament shortcomings or shrug his shoulders, he says plainly, “This is what’s wrong and here’s how we’re going to fix it.”
The players clearly love playing for him. Their vital signs are better across the board since he was hired.
How’s deadline addition Conor Garland looked so far?
Garland looks like Garland is supposed to look. He’s fearless, relentless and a marvel to watch on his skates. In a world for Ford F-150s, he’s got the turning radius of a Prius. Incredible edges.
He scored four goals in his first three games with Columbus and has fit in well with center Sean Monahan and left winger Kent Johnson on the Jackets’ second line.
And yes, fans in Nationwide Arena have already started to embrace him.
Check back for more Canucks news throughout the day.
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