Canucks bolster roster with key signings
The Vancouver Canucks have made several additions to their roster, focusing on veteran leadership, experience, and organizational depth for the upcoming 2026-27 season. Among the new signings, defenceman Luke Schenn returns to Vancouver on a one-year contract. The team also secured forward Paul Cotter with a one-year deal, and forwards Akil Thomas and Trey Fix-Wolansky on one-year, two-way contracts. Additionally, veteran defenceman Jamie Oleksiak joined the team on a two-year contract.
General Manager Ryan Johnson expressed satisfaction with the day’s activities, highlighting the staff’s flexibility in seizing opportunities. Johnson emphasized the importance of acquiring players who fit specific profiles and possess strong character, noting a priority for individuals who want to be in Vancouver.
Strategic moves and player profiles
Johnson stated that Schenn is an excellent ambassador for the game and can assist in guiding a younger team. Schenn previously played for the Canucks during the 2018-19 season and from 2021-23. He has played 1,122 NHL games and accumulated 212 points through his 18-year career. Schenn’s connection with Johnson dates back to their time with the Utica Comets during the 2018-19 season.
Schenn also has a history with Head Coach Manny Malhotra, having played under him in Vancouver and Toronto when Malhotra served as an assistant coach for both organizations. Schenn noted Malhotra’s thorough preparation, communication skills, and ability to motivate players.
Cotter was the first signing announced for the Canucks on free agency day. The winger brings five years of NHL experience, with 296 games played. Last season with the New Jersey Devils, Cotter recorded 15 points in 79 games. Johnson highlighted Cotter’s speed, physical play, and scoring touch, believing there is still untapped potential in the 26-year-old player.
Thomas was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the second round, 51st overall, in the 2018 NHL Draft. He has played 196 AHL games across the Ontario Reign and Springfield Thunderbirds, tallying 115 points. In 32 NHL games for the Kings, Thomas registered four goals and three assists.
Fix-Wolansky was a seventh-round pick by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2018 NHL Draft. He played for Columbus’s AHL affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters, from 2019-25 and spent last season with the Hartford Wolfpack. In 72 games with the Wolfpack, he recorded 55 points, leading the team in goals and points. During his time with Columbus, Fix-Wolansky played in 26 NHL games, contributing four goals and two assists.
Oleksiak, a 6’7″ defenceman, has played 758 NHL games and accumulated 161 points over 14 years in the league. He spent the past five seasons with the Seattle Kraken after being claimed in the 2021 expansion draft.
Draft pick acquisition and future outlook
In addition to the signings, the Canucks traded Marcus Pettersson to the New York Rangers for a conditional first-round pick in the 2030 Draft. This move further shapes the team’s future assets.
Johnson emphasized the importance of depth to manage injuries and player movement, ensuring that young players in Abbotsford have support for their development. He praised Rich Seeley’s efforts in evaluating the team’s needs and adding pieces to sustain the team through various scenarios throughout the season. Schenn’s contract is valued at $2.25 million for the 2026-27 season, while Cotter’s is for $2.15 million for the same period.
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Source: nhl.com
As CasinoNews's Sports News Writer, Mason Leclair reports on the CFL, golf and combat sports for readers across the country. He moved from regional papers into digital sport. He holds a degree in Journalism from Carleton University. Mason lives in Ottawa, where he follows the PGA Tour and mixed martial arts. “Get the facts down first, then add the context.”
