The Vancouver Canucks desperately need a break.<\/p>\n
Not because they deserve it. I mean, they have lost 17 of their last 19 games.<\/p>\n
However, losing has clearly taken a toll.<\/p>\n
Elias Pettersson is frustrated<\/a>. Adam Foote is running out of answers.<\/a> Teddy Blueger is the player who sounds like captain material<\/a> by calling out his team.<\/p>\n The Olympics come at a much-needed time for the last-place squad. However, some players on the roster are headed to Italy instead of a beach.<\/p>\n Here are the biggest questions facing Canucks players and the organization ahead of the Olympics.<\/p>\n 1. Can Elias Pettersson change his fortunes?<\/p>\n It\u2019s been a rough last two years for Pettersson.<\/p>\n The former Canucks superstar has been nowhere near his peak form since January 2024.<\/p>\n Last year at the 4 Nations, many wondered if he could rediscover his game at the tournament. Instead, he finished pointless and had the lowest time-on-ice among all Swedish players in their final game.<\/p>\n Currently, Pettersson ranks 11th among Swedish forwards at the Olympics in terms of NHL points this season. He\u2019d rank 12th if Leo Carlsson weren\u2019t forced out of the Olympics due to injury.<\/p>\n 2. Will Pettersson find chemistry with Kempe?<\/p>\n Or anyone, for that matter?<\/p>\n However, finding chemistry with Adrian Kempe could be an interesting storyline if they end up playing together again.<\/p>\n Both players were linemates early on at the 4 Nations, and Kempe was pumping Pettersson\u2019s tires.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re out there against him, you see all the small plays he makes, how skilled he is, and now being on a line with him for the last two practices, you can definitely feel that,\u201d Kempe said at the time.<\/a><\/p>\n While Pettersson holds a full no-move clause, it\u2019s conceivable that he could waive to join the Los Angeles Kings.<\/a><\/p>\n Pettersson\u2019s wife, Katelyn, spent half her life living in the city. It\u2019s a city where Pettersson could quietly blend in. The Kings have also shown a propensity to make big moves. They also could be looking to replace Anze Kopitar after he retires following this season.<\/p>\n Dare to dream, Canucks fans.<\/p>\n 3. Will Filip Hronek lead Olympics in time on ice?<\/p>\n Filip Hronek already plays a massive role for the Canucks, and that\u2019s unlikely to change at the Olympics.<\/p>\n Czechia has only two regular NHL defencemen on its Olympic roster. Hronek is one, the other is 35-year-old Radko Gudas.<\/p>\n Considering the lack of NHL depth on Czechia\u2019s blue line, it\u2019s conceivable that Hronek could lead the entire tournament in minutes played per game.<\/p>\n 4. Will Kevin Lankinen play a game?<\/p>\n Kevin Lankinen was a stud for the Canucks early in the 2024-25 season. That seems like a lifetime ago now.<\/p>\n Although it\u2019s certainly not all his fault, the Finnish netminder has a 7-19-4 record this season, along with a .876 save percentage.<\/p>\n At the 4 Nations last year, Lankinen essentially split the net with Juuse Saros. He got Finland their only victory of the tournament over Sweden.<\/p>\n However, there\u2019s an argument that Lankinen should be third on the depth chart behind Saros and Boston Bruins netminder Joonas Korpisalo. Lankinen\u2019s goals saved above average per-60 this season<\/a> is behind both Finnish goaltenders at the Olympics.<\/p>\n 5. Can Teddy Blueger boost his trade value?<\/p>\n The best Canucks player over the last handful of games has been Teddy Blueger.<\/p>\n Since he returned to the lineup on Jan. 21, the Latvian centre leads the Canucks with four goals and seven points.<\/p>\n Perhaps the better question is, will he have more points than Pettersson at the Olympics?<\/p>\n