Vancouver Canucks GM Patrik Allvin has had a busy off-season so far. He added six prospects to the organization via the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, as well as re-signed key players Conor Garland, Thatcher Demko and Thatcher Demko to long-term extensions. Allvin and his team are also expected to be very active throughout the Summer as they look to build a contender for the 2025-26 season.
Recently, Allvin joined the 100% Canucks with Ferraro & Shannon podcast to discuss a variety of topics. The Canucks' GM was first asked about Vancouver's decision to re-sign players instead of making changes to the roster. Allvin pointed out that the small prospect pool and players' desire to stay with their original organization played a key role in what the Canucks were able to do.
"Some of them expressed that Canada was not a preferred destination, said Allvin. "So overall, as much as we were looking at the center options, and we still will continue to explore what's out there and see if there's something that over the next while here will materialize in the off-season, or if something needs to be done in season. But I was very pleased to get the three guys on the contract, and Brock Boeser, being the last guy there, wanted to come back. Having those three core players was big for us. Not just this year, but also moving forward here with the culture and the standard and how Adam Foote wants to play, and what those guys contribute to the Canucks and to the community here as well."
Allvin was then asked about Garland, Demko and Boeser wanting to stay with the organization. All three players have been with Vancouver for at least five years, with Demko and Boeser being two of the longest-tenured players in the organization. As Allvin explained, the players feel confident in the team's direction and are ready to return to the post-season in 2025-26.
"I think it's really important. I also think they want to stay for the right things. They like, the vision, where the team and the organization is heading. Their relationship and connection with Adam Foote and what he has started to do here as well was important. I still think the players believe in the dressing room. They believe in the way we started to build the foundations and the way we want to play, and with everything that you know went on and all the injuries last year, I think we probably were three wins away from being in the playoffs or four wins away being in the playoffs. The parity of the league, it's tough."
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The conversation then shifted to the center ice position and who will play second-line center. At the moment, Filip Chytil is projected to be the Canucks second-line center, who had six points in 15 games after being acquired from the New York Rangers. While the organization has confidence in Chytil, Allvin pointed out that Vancouver is always looking at ways to improve their center depth.
" I think if you look around the league, centers are a priority. How you build your team around it, and I think Chytill is still young. He missed some games. I think he has intangibles to play higher up in the lineup and, definitely, the skill set to do so. I think, if I got it right, I believe he had a year where he had 60 points, and I think if you go by that, I think that's probably in line with some of the other second-line centers out around the league. But if you're striving to get better, and if you can find something that fits the criteria of a second-line center, I think you might have the best top three centers in the league if you have Filip Chytil on your third line.
As the interview continued, Allvin was asked about center Elias Pettersson, who struggled during the 2024-25 season with injuries and a very public feud with J.T. Miller. According to the Canucks GM, the 26-year-old is fully healthy and ready to show that he can be one of the top centers in the league. Allvin also explained that Pettersson wants to be a leader on this team and is building a strong connection with new head coach, Adam Foote.
General Manager Patrik Allvin Breaks Down Why The Vancouver Canucks Re-Signed Thatcher Demko, Conor Garland & Brock Boeser
The Vancouver Canucks had an interesting start to free agency on Tuesday. After locking up Thatcher Demko and Conor Garland to contracts a year before they became unrestricted free agents, the Canucks agreed to terms with Brock Boeser on a seven-year deal. Ultimately, Vancouver elected to keep the majority of last year's team together, with the only major change being the addition of Evander Kane and subtraction of Pius Suter.
"There is very few players in the league that are capable of doing what, Petey can do. I mean, from 2019 to 25 I believe, he is top six in points. I think that when he showed up there with no hesitation, I think that encouraged the rest of the group as well. If we get Petey back to the level what he's capable of doing, I think that he will drag the rest of the group with him there. So he he's extremely excited. Great conversation and relationship with Adam. So far, I'm very pleased where he is... The medical staff said that if we had a game tomorrow, every single player on your roster would be available to play."
Lastly, Allvin reflected on the 2024-25 season, which was filled with problems. As mentioned, a feud began to impact the locker room, while injuries to top players prevented Vancouver from qualifying for the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. As Allvin explained, the season was frustrating from start to finish as the Canucks were never able to create and build off momentum.
"You go through different pockets of the season, where it's never a linear way to get to where you want to. It's a building process. Obviously, it's frustrating when you have key players injured. We had a lot, but I never think you use excuses. I think you look at it with opportunities for younger players to come in and grow. I think, for me, there was some more frustration of how we can find consistency in our game. We had very few games where we can go on a run and win multiple games together and kind of build-up. We seem to be one or two game wins and then one or two game losses. I think we went on a run there just prior to the break, and we were seven one and one beat Toronto at home. And I think we were in second place in our division for playoffs, and then for different reasons. Obviously, Demko, Quinn was injured right after the break, but we couldn't find our games."
Based on Allvin's answers throughout the interview, it is clear that the organization has high expectations in 2025-26. Ultimately, players will need to step up their game in what will be a challenging, condensed season due to the 2026 Winter Olympics break. In the end, Allvin and his staff have built a deep roster that, with a few smart additions, should be able to qualify for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
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