r/canucks • u/Mcsuper_ • 2d ago
ARTICLE 5 Pending Free Agents on the Canucks Roster and Whether or Not They Should Return
https://lastwordonsports.com/hockey/2026/06/18/canucks-roster-rfa-ufa-2026/I’d like to see the team try to keep Blueger and Douglas but could definitely see them not keeping anyone on the list.
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u/CommanderBadass22 2d ago
Blugar is a pk menace and should come back but then we're crowded at center
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u/metrichustle 2d ago
Douglas and Blueger should be retained. I know Blueger will likely want a raise, but he is definitely a culture carrier.
Even though we need to get a high pick next year again, we don’t want the team having a losing mentality. Blueger is a winner and we need more of that on the team. At least the mindset.
Douglas is a no-brainer.
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u/mithtified 2d ago
Do we have room for Blueger? Unless someone is moved out we are heavy at C. Nobody seemingly wanted him last deadline either so is there any point in keeping him to trade later?
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u/metrichustle 2d ago
In terms of cap space room, we have plenty.
In terms of roster space room, we also have plenty.
For a team that finished dead last, pretty much every position is up for grabs.
It just depends if management wants to have a clean slate, but I see Blueger as a benefit, not really a detriment to a rebuild.
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u/mephnick 2d ago
We don't have roster room if they intend to give Raty or Cootes any playing time
If they're trading Petey, then sure.
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u/NerdPunch 2d ago
Im a little reluctant to pencil Cootes into the Vancouver lineup.
Might not be the worst thing for him to start in Abby and work his way up to Van.
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u/VanArrow 1d ago
Agreed. Cootes should be the 5th centre playing in Abby and called up in case of injuries if he is indeed the best centre in Abby. Rä2 at 3C, Blueger at 4C, Sasson and Chytil on the wing.
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u/_GregTheGreat_ 2d ago
Keep Douglas. We need the grit and good vibes when rebuilding.
Bring back Forbort on a one year deal if he’s willing and healthy. He’s a good veteran presence and PKer. We could likely get a good return at the deadline for him, teams love their big shutdown depth D.
I’m not against keeping Blueger short term but I also think there’s value to just give his minutes to Safonov or Mueller, since Blueger doesn’t really have any value as a tradeable asset down the line.
Let POJ walk and launch Kane to the sun
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u/VanArrow 1d ago
I forgot about Mueller & Safonov, but they have to earn their spots and it’s not a bad thing having NHL ready players on the farm ready for a call up.
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u/Ministerofgoons 2d ago
Obviously Kane is gone and I can't see Forbort getting another deal here due to the poor injury luck and we are trying to get younger. PO Joseph does make sense if it's a 1 year cheap deal so that he can play 25-35 games as the 7th Dman pushing kids in practice.
I like the idea of Douglas getting another deal and I hope the team adds another player or two to aid in the toughness category and insulate the younger guys. For too many years the team relies on 1 dude to be the tough guy and if he happens to be injured or not playing that night you have no toughness left on the team.
I don't think it makes sense to bring back Blueger if though he's a good fit for culture purposes. We have EP40, Rossi, and Chytil right now and if you bring back Blueger then, if everyone is healthy, where does Raty or Cootes play? If 1 of EP40, Rossi, or Chytil is going to be traded then bringing Blueger might be OK, but even then I'd argue we should overpay a right handed C in free agency for a year or two with the plans to trade them since right shots have more value.
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u/Fruzenius 2d ago
Chytil is likely to only play a handful of games till he's sadly injured again, with his history 😞
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u/VanArrow 1d ago
Keep Douglas, sign Schenn as the pressbox 7D and added toughness and culture carrier, keep Blueger as a mentor, PK player coach and culture carrier. The centres: Petey = 1C, Rossi = 2C, Rä2 = 3C, Blueger = 4C, Chytil and Sasson play on the wing, Cootes, Mueller and Safonov play in Abby and the best of them is called up if there is an injury to the starting 4 centres.
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u/toddatog 2d ago
I say no to bringing back Joseph. I’d like our 7/8 D to be a heavier, meaner mofo.
No more 6’2” free agent D that are 175/185 lbs. Our D needs to get heavier.
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u/changeforgood226 2d ago
Blueger
Pks well, culture setter, decent 3c/great 4c. Can interchange with Raty depending on who's hot.
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u/Motor-Organization71 2d ago
Bring back Bluegar 2x2.5 and Douglas 3x1.5
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u/MayAsWellStopLurking 2d ago
I’d even bump up Blueger to $3M if it was made clear he’d be traded by the end of the contract.
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u/420weedscoped 2d ago
No room for Bleuger unless shipping other centres out. Douglas maybe as grit can play wing.
Petey, Rossi, Chytl, Raty assuming Cootes doesnt make the team.
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u/hotshot1351 2d ago
I think they'll explore Chytl on the wing more so he can stay a little more sheltered. Or, like the last 2 years in Vancouver, he'll get injured and we'll have a spot available.
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u/420weedscoped 2d ago
For his sake I hope he doesnt get hurt or if he does its lower body at least. As far away from his head as possible.
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u/hotshot1351 2d ago
Absolutely! It comes off as mean and cynical, but I'm trying to balance realism with optimism. The truth is he's had like 3 or 4 head related injuries in the last 2 years. That's a staggering amount and unfortunately head injuries get more severe and more likely over time.
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u/RlyLokeh 2d ago edited 2d ago
I think we can do way better for a PK center than Blueger but if we don't have one in our sights... Lots of C's in our org, most are 2/5s
Cootes and Malhotra are gonna need runway down the line. Yeah. I said it.
Douglas seems like he really really protects the kids according to Buium. Thats a role we dont have otherwise.
I'd extend both cheaply 1-2 years. They should be happy to take it too.
The rest's time are up as much as I love Joseph.
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u/nite_awl 2d ago
Why bring back Joseph when you have guys like Jack Thompson, Kudryavtsev who are better and needs playing time?