Canucks News & Rumors: Greenway, Douglas, Höglander & Cootes – Hockey Writers – Vancouver Canucks

The Vancouver Canucks are heading into one of those times where big moves don’t seem obvious at first, but small decisions end up shaping the roster. There’s talk of fitness, questions about young forwards, and a few prospects knocking on the door. At the moment, things are not going well until a coach is named. In fact, fans don’t have a clear sense of direction yet.

This summer, the internal selection is as important as the external exchange. Do they spend resources chasing improvements or trust and build on what is already a system? Will the guys here get another season to show what they have and don’t have? Or are they trying to thread the needle somewhere in between?

With that in mind, some names stand out as “stay or go” or “go or go” types heading into next season. Here are my thoughts on three of those players.

Canucks Should Re-Sign Curtis Douglas as a Culture Piece

There has been some talk suggesting the Canucks should look to the trade market to add size and grit, with Buffalo’s Jordan Greenway mentioned as a possibility. On paper, it makes sense. Vancouver has had areas where it has been pushed and looks like it needs to be more physical. But the truth is, those types of players often cost real assets and real cap space, and the Canucks may have an easy, cheap answer in Curtis Douglas.

Douglas arrived without much attention, but didn’t take long to make his presence felt. At 6-foot-9, he quickly changed the way shifts looked when he stepped on the ice. He didn’t manage to score a goal, and he won’t light up the score sheet, but his contribution can be seen in the way the opponents have to play around him. Vancouver looked tough to play against while he was on the roster, and that’s important when you’re trying to build an identity.

However, what stands out the most, is how quickly he enters the room. His teammates loved him, and he understood his job well from day one – to bring energy, look hard, and make life uncomfortable. That kind of specificity is not underestimated, especially for deep players coming into the middle of the season.

As a result, re-signing him feels like one of those easy decisions. If the alternative is to spend a real asset and pursue someone like Greenway, the smartest move would be to keep a guy who is already eligible. Low risk, low cost, and already part of the room. Give him a regular job and see what he brings.

Nils Höglander Faces a “What If” Season

Nils Höglander’s season ended up being a frustrating step back after what looked like a real breakthrough last season. In 2023-24, he scored 24 goals and seems to be turning to a mid-six goalscorer. However, this past season, everything seemed to stop at once.

Injured and limited to just 38 games, he finished with just two goals and spent much of his time in a reduced six-man role. Even when he played the rhythm was not there. The speed and power that used to define his game came suddenly instead of being a constant presence, and the Canucks clearly missed the most dangerous version of him.

Now entering the upcoming season, an undisclosed injury has once again ruled him out of the 2026 IIHF World Championship. That only adds to the questions. At 25, there is still time to bounce back, but this feels like an important season. Either he regains a top-nine role and begins to produce again, or he risks slipping into a deep spot where upside begins to fade.

Don’t count Braeden Cootes out of the regular lineup

Braeden Cootes is still very young, but there are already several reasons why the Canucks should give him a chance to make their regular roster. First is the way his game already looks without the puck. He is organized and responsible, and he doesn’t try to cheat in an annoying way. That kind of reliability is what coaches tend to count on early on, especially down the middle.

The second reason is that he has managed to catch all the jumps so far without looking at the location. A strong Western Hockey League (WHL) season, a midseason move where he’s still productive, and even three NHL games with Vancouver all point to a player who is adapting quickly. Add in his international experience, and he’s already been exposed to the speed and structure of the pro-level in a meaningful way.

That’s why it won’t be surprising if he pushes for a long time and is watched closely next season. If he comes into camp a little stronger and more confident offensively, there’s a way his defensive reliability gets him real NHL minutes. Vancouver doesn’t need him to be a star just yet. They need reliable players who can put in solid minutes. Right now, that’s exactly what his game is starting to look like.

What’s next for the Canucks?

This summer feels less about one big throw and more about a series of small judgment calls that add up quickly. Do they depend on external development, or do they trust the players already in the system? Goes like Douglas vs. Greenway-type trades, or decisions about Höglander’s role, all boil down to the same big question. What kind of identity are they actually trying to build?

The Canucks don’t just need better players; they need clear answers about who fits, who grows, and who gets a real chance to stick. If they get those calls right, the system doesn’t need to be dismantled. It just needs to be sharpened in the right places.