The Vancouver Canucks aren’t just “rebuilding,” they’re truly building, from the ground up<\/p>\n
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Published Mar 22, 2026 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 3 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 bumpy post-deadline ride of the Vancouver Canucks<\/a> should remind you of one main thing: This team isn\u2019t close to where it needs to be.<\/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. 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 SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/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. 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 Yes, Marco Rossi producing and generally playing well is a good thing.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n So, too, is the fact that there are obvious character guys like Drew O\u2019Connor and Filip Hronek<\/a>. Those guys care, we know that much.<\/p>\n But, in the end, this team needs much more than a juicing of heart if they are truly going to build into a contender.<\/p>\n And they need to make a decision on their coach.<\/p>\n \u201cRebuild\u201d undersells the task at hand. That suggests there was something there before. Let\u2019s be serious: This is a build, almost from the foundation.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s just do a quick run through of what they have and what they mostly don\u2019t have:<\/p>\n The good<\/p>\n For a start, there\u2019s Zeev Buium, who keeps showing glimpses of quality puck decisions. He\u2019s got lots of issues playing actual defence and so, because of that, there\u2019s no reason to think he\u2019s going to be in the long run anything more than a second-pairing defenceman.<\/p>\n So they need to find a stud blueliner. (Remember Quinn Hughes<\/a>?)<\/p>\n Hronek is 29 later this year and is fine as a No. 2, but he won\u2019t be here forever, either. If this rebuild takes five years, he\u2019ll be edging towards the end of his career.<\/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 The Canucks also do have a quality No. 2 centre in Marco Rossi. He\u2019s a smart player but he also doesn\u2019t often take over a shift. In the long run, he\u2019s probably your third centre if you are seriously a contending team.<\/p>\n Liam Ohgren is an interesting winger but, again, can he be a consistent enough threat to be a second-line winger?<\/p>\n The questions<\/p>\n What are you doing with Elias Pettersson<\/a>? He needs a fresh start. The Canucks would be smart to try to trade him in the summer. See if you can get anything of value in return. Really, the player himself would be smart to ask for a trade. It\u2019s clear he thinks he needs a fresh start.<\/p>\n Is Tom Willander anything at all? He can move the puck a little but he also is slow on his decisions at times. He can defend the rush a little but he often gets overwhelmed defending out of the corner. At this point, he doesn\u2019t look like he\u2019s going to be anything more than a third-pairing defenceman.<\/p>\n Similarly, what is Elias Junior Pettersson going to be? He hasn\u2019t shown enough feistiness this season, too often he\u2019s been chasing the play. He\u2019s a good character, the kind of person you do want, but is he ready to really step up as a presence? That\u2019s how he\u2019ll stay, even thrive, in this league. We need to see him standing out more.<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Is Patrik Allvin the general manager to make this project happen? Will fans accept him in charge?<\/p>\n Is Adam Foote the coach to guide your team forward, who will create the kind of structure any team, let alone a young team, needs to have success? Do his players listen him? Will they accept his leadership going forward? Do they believe in his plans?<\/p>\n The things they need<\/p>\n The list is staggering:<\/p>\n \u2022 A No. 1 centre.<\/p>\n \u2022 A top-flight winger. (Maybe they can get this in the draft in the summer.)<\/p>\n \u2022 A big-time defenceman.<\/p>\n That\u2019s three big items. That\u2019s the task.<\/p>\n This project has a long way to go.<\/p>\n pjohnston@postmedia.com<\/a><\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n Canucks: Zeev Buium sure sounds like a captain<\/p>\n![\"Filip](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/2256929044_300882033.jpg\")
Filip Hronek is 29 later this year and is fine as a No. 2, but he won’t be here forever. Photo by Derek Cain \/Getty ImagesArticle content<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/20.8.1\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-vp.svg\"){kind=logo}
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