The Vancouver Canucks are navigating a challenging period, with several key players and potential future prospects generating significant news and rumors. Here's a breakdown of the latest buzz surrounding Kevin Lankinen, Elias Pettersson, Filip Hronek, and Macklin Celebrini:
Kevin Lankinen:
Goaltender Kevin Lankinen's recent performance has been under scrutiny as he was pulled early in Tuesday's game against the Sharks after allowing three goals on six shots in just under six minutes. With Thatcher Demko sidelined for the rest of the season due to hip surgery, Lankinen is expected to carry a heavier workload. However, his recent struggles, reflected in his January record of 1-7-1, a 7-17-4 season record, a 3.54 goals-against average, and an .881 save percentage, raise concerns about his ability to secure consistent wins for the team. In late November, Lankinen also missed a game for personal reasons, resulting in Jiri Patera being called up from Abbotsford.
Elias Pettersson:
Trade rumors continue to swirl around Elias Pettersson, with reports indicating that interested teams are requesting the Canucks to retain salary in any potential deal. Pettersson, who signed an $11.6 million per year contract in March 2024, has not consistently lived up to the expectations set by that contract. Some teams are reportedly seeking up to $3 million per year in retention from the Canucks. Despite the rumors, Pettersson has a no-move clause, giving him control over his destination. Potential trade destinations include the Los Angeles Kings and the San Jose Sharks, with the latter possibly offering a reunion with former linemate Tyler Toffoli. Some analysts believe trading Pettersson would extend the Canucks' rebuild timeline, while others argue that his current performance doesn't justify his high salary.
Filip Hronek:
Despite earlier trade rumors, Filip Hronek's agent, Allan Walsh, has stated that Hronek has "no interest" in leaving the Vancouver Canucks. Hronek recently scored a power-play goal in a 5-2 loss to the Sharks. With Zeev Buium on injured reserve, Hronek is expected to maintain his role on the top power-play unit. This season, Hronek has 5 goals, 31 points, 74 shots on net, 81 hits, and 73 blocked shots through 53 games.
Macklin Celebrini:
Macklin Celebrini, currently playing for the San Jose Sharks, recently had a standout performance against the Canucks, scoring a goal and three assists in a 5-2 victory. Celebrini's strong play has fueled discussions about the Canucks' potential draft lottery odds and the possibility of acquiring another elite player. Celebrini has stated in the past that he is a Canucks fan and that the team "should be in a rebuild phase".
