With the Canucks trying to win for just the seventh time on home ice, the looming trade deadline still stole the spotlight<\/p>\n
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Published Feb 25, 2026 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated 2\u00a0hours ago \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 5 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 The game within the game was the one that mattered most Wednesday, even with a tough 3-2 home-side loss at Rogers Arena<\/a>.<\/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. 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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 With the Vancouver Canucks<\/a> committing to a roster rebuild to accumulate draft picks and get younger, they may have a deal to move towering defenceman Tyler Myers<\/a>. He must first waive his no-movement clause to approve a new destination in his 18th NHL season and the club must come to trade compensation terms.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Canucks head coach Adam Foote learned Tuesday night that the deal might happen and was told after the morning skate Wednesday that Myers would be taken out for roster protection protocol. However, he did take the warm-up skate in case a blueliner was injured, but Myers could have also risked injury.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I talked to Tyler after the morning skate, he was awesome about it and I told him I needed him for warm-up and to be prepared,\u201d said Foote. \u201cWhere we were with our roster he was a true pro and a good human. We\u2019ll see that happens (with the trade).\u201d<\/p>\n With unrestricted free agents Evander Kane, Teddy Blueger<\/a> and David Kampf expected to be traded before the March 6 deadline \u2014 and ongoing speculation about the future of Elias Pettersson<\/a>, Conor Garland<\/a> and Jake DeBrusk \u2014 a clash with the struggling Winnipeg Jets was on the back-burner of interest.<\/p>\n Canucks Report<\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Even the last possible career visit by three-time Stanley Cup champion Jonathan Toews, who was also a constant Canucks playoff nemesis, wasn\u2019t going to move the interest meter.<\/p>\n That meter would move if the last-place Canucks could muster up enough offence and defensive diligence to win just their seventh game at home. And in a game that often lacked push and pace, or a loud crowd, they found themselves in a 2-2 deadlock in the third period, to bring up the proverbial question:<\/p>\n Would they find another way to lose or a way to win? And if Olympic gold medallist Connor Hellebuyck was playing would they even be in the position? Then again, the penalty kill was a perfect 3-for-3, and Nikita Tolopilo was sharp. So there was final-frame hope.<\/p>\n First it was Kampf\u2019s backhander forcing Eric Comrie to make a toe save. Filip Hronek<\/a> then clanged the far post with a point wrister. And then Liam Ohgren was denied on a rush down the right flank. And on a power play with 8:25 remaining in regulation, they played on the perimeter and had just one shot.<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n And then Conor Garland<\/a> was denied off an odd-man rush before Blueger had a slot chance in the final minute. The issue was finally settled in overtime after Brock Boeser<\/a> was a denied and Cole Perfetti scored at 1:31 off a fortunate bounce.<\/p>\n \u201cWe got in trouble in the second period with a couple of bad penalties, and we can\u2019t have that against a team like that, but the penalty kill did the job,\u201d said Foote. \u201cI thought we took over in the third and the guys fought hard.\u201d<\/p>\n Drew O\u2019Connor got the opening goal and liked the commitment to defence, something significant for a club that has surrendered the most goals.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought we were pretty solid and Tolopilo made some awesome saves to keep us in it,\u201d said O\u2019Connor. \u201cIt\u2019s just sticking with it and not getting too down when they scored. We did a good job responding.\u201d<\/p>\n However, for 15 scouts in attendance \u2014 notably two from the Los Angeles Kings, who have been linked to Pettersson interest along with the Detroit Red Wings \u2014 it was another chance to get a closer look at the Swedish centre.<\/p>\n Advertisement 5<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n There was little to showcase offensively. Pettersson had no shot attempts, but he did block four shots and won 47 per cent of his draws.<\/p>\n Whether the Canucks move Pettersson before the deadline, wait to make an off-season deal, or keep him in the fold, there\u2019s one aspect of his approach that remains a constant concern: It\u2019s his practice habits. It bugged former Canucks bench boss Rick Tocchet<\/a> and Foote is also miffed.<\/p>\n The Winter Olympics experience with Sweden was expected to bring out the best compete in Pettersson \u2014 and he did have a two-goal game \u2014 but that\u2019s all he produced with seven shots in five games. So, he was challenged here upon return to practice.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was good the first couple as far as his attitude, but I was pretty hard on him with pace and movement,\u201d admitted Foote. \u201cIt\u2019s all about the practice habits. You see some of the best players in the world, they practise hard, and I\u2019m not saying he (Pettersson) does not.<\/p>\n \u201cBut it starts in practice whether you\u2019re a shooter, or what your specialty is.\u201d<\/p>\n Advertisement 6<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n If anything, Kane\u2019s trade stock probably went up. He had a sweet release on his goal, four shots and was engaged in the first game after the lengthy Olympic break.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know if teams are worried if I can score or not,\u201d laughed Kane. \u201cWe took our foot off the gas a little bit in the third and, obviously, overtime is a crap shoot and you want certain guys on the ice. They got a bounce and we didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n As for the looming trade deadline, Kane isn\u2019t consumed by where he may or may not go.<\/p>\n \u201cYou have to focus on what\u2019s in front of you and just go about your day,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s a short window before the deadline and things can happen at the drop of a hat. Guys aren\u2019t naive.\u201d<\/p>\n Evander Kane (C+)<\/p>\n Crashed into boards on rush, cross-check minor, scored. Four shots.<\/p>\n Elias Pettersson<\/a> (C)<\/p>\n Won draw on Kane goal, but no zip with good matchups. No shots.<\/p>\n Jake DeBrusk (C-)<\/p>\n Invisible. Early turnover for Perfetti Grade A look. No jump, one shot.<\/p>\n Drew O\u2019Connor (C+)<\/p>\n Takes cross-ice feed from Boeser, puts trickler through Comrie 5-hole.<\/p>\n Advertisement 7<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Marco Rossi (C)<\/p>\n Struggled to find his game. Lost check in own zone for Perfetti chance.<\/p>\n Brock Boeser<\/a> (C+)<\/p>\n Lots of giddy-up after missing five games in concussion protocol.<\/p>\n Liam Ohgren (C)<\/p>\n In position for deft high deflection of point shot, but line struggled.<\/p>\n Teddy Blueger<\/a> (C)<\/p>\n Lost seven of first eight draws for no momentum. Was good on PK.<\/p>\n Conor Garland (C)<\/p>\n Not a great night but also good on penalty kill that went 3-for-3.<\/p>\n Nils Hoglander<\/a> (C)<\/p>\n Buzzing. Slot shot wide, one off Comrie shoulder, hooking minor.<\/p>\n David Kampf (C)<\/p>\n Won key PK draws, 13-for-20 in circle. More help than hindrance.<\/p>\n Linus Karlsson (C-)<\/p>\n Just 5:11 of ice time through two period on fourth line. No jump.<\/p>\n Elias (D-Petey) Pettersson (C)<\/p>\n Allowed Vilardi position on 2-2 goal. Three shots, three blocks.<\/p>\n Filip Hronek<\/a> (C+)<\/p>\n Three shots, seven attempts. Rode out Barron on charge to net.<\/p>\n Marcus Pettersson (C)<\/p>\n Lost Connor on easy two-foot, tap-in. Three shots, four blocks.<\/p>\n Tom Willander (C)<\/p>\n Learned to play without stick on Jets foray. Still boxed out well.<\/p>\n Zeev Buium (C)<\/p>\n Moved well. Good positioning to physically deny scoring chance.<\/p>\n Pierre Olivier-Joseph (C)<\/p>\n Strength issues. Ridden off puck in prolonged O-zone possession.<\/p>\n Nikita Tolopilo (B)<\/p>\n Sharp at finding pucks in traffic. Stayed calm and square. Solid.<\/p>\n bkuzma@postmedia.com<\/a><\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n Canucks Preview: How to take a rare flight against the low-flying Jets<\/p>\n![\"Gabriel](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2263028787_301700279.jpg\")
Gabriel Vilardi of the Winnipeg Jets celebrates after scoring a goal on Nikita Tolopilo of the Vancouver Canucks during the second period at Rogers Arena on Wednesday night. Photo by Derek Cain \/Getty ImagesArticle content<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/20.6.2\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-vp.svg\"){kind=logo}
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Nikita Tolopilo and Marcus Pettersson defend against Jonathan Toews of the Winnipeg Jets during the second period Photo by Derek Cain \/Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"Evander](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2263028641_301700291.jpg\")
Evander Kane celebrates with teammates on the bench after scoring a goal against the Winnipeg Jets during the second period Photo by Derek Cain \/Getty ImagesREPORT CARDS<\/p>\n![\"Vancouver](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/cp175487881_300405478.jpg\")
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