Phil Di Giuseppe had ten points in 51 regular season games with the Vancouver Canucks last season.

As the 2024-25 regular season approaches, one name to keep an eye on for the Vancouver Canucks is Phil Di Giuseppe. The 30-year-old forward is entering his fourth season with the organization and is focused on not just making the NHL team but becoming an impact player on a nightly basis. While it is early, it is clear Di Giuseppe has taken his game to another level and is willing to do whatever it takes to solidify his spot in the lineup.

Di Giuseppe is coming off one of his best seasons in the NHL. He played in 51 regular season games, as well as 11 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. While Di Giuseppe did participate in the 2020 postseason, having the chance to play in the playoffs in front of fans for the first time is something he is looking forward to doing once again this season.

"Last year was exciting for me," said Di Giuseppe. "Personally, that was the first time I got to experience playoffs in a real playoff, playing the bubble, but it was exciting. I love those games. So, you know, my mindset is gearing up, you know, for the playoffs. I think we got a good shot here."

This offseason, the Canucks made a handful of signings to improve the team's depth better heading into the 2024-25 season. There was a common theme with every signing as the new members of the organization would continually mention how hard it was to play against Vancouver last season. As Di Giuseppe explains, the culture shift in the organization has not only resulted in players wanting to come to the Canucks but has also created an environment where every player needs to step up their game in order to stay in the lineup.

"It's a big league, but it's a small world. You know, people talk. So I think that's a reflection of both the culture and what we've grown here, and it comes from management to coaching. Guys want to get better. Guys want to win. So I'd say it's a reflection based on that."

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As mentioned, Di Giuseppe doesn't just want to make the team; he wants to play a significant role every night. One way he can do that is by reuniting with J.T. Miller and Brock Boeser and becoming the permanent third member of their line. The three did develop some chemistry last season, which Di Giuseppe is hoping to reignite this year.

"I've played with Milsey and Brock, and I want to play with the best players. I want to play against the best players. So that's always been my goal. That's what I'm striving for."

Di Giuseppe's hard work in the offseason has not gone unnoticed. When asked about his winger, Head Coach Rick Tocchet was very complimentary of Di Giuseppe and the work he has put in over the past few months. Whether it is his conditioning or play on the ice, it is clear Tocchet is impressed with where Di Giuseppe's game currently is at.

"I think he's had a really good camp," said Tocchet. "I think he's a guy that we asked him to do some things this summer to help this game, and I thought he has. He's held on to the pucks; he's not throwing pucks away. He's doing things like that. I've seen him constantly working. He came to camp in great shape. I can't say enough good things about him. He knows there's competition; there's jobs on the line, so he's really taken that to heart... The conversation I had with him before he went home for the summer was he had to do specific things to be able to stick and I think that he's done that. I know it's a short sample size, but I think that's the stuff. I really respect him because he's really taken the information we gave him, and he's worked on it during the summer."

One way to tell that the organization is high on Di Giuseppe is that they gave him an "A" during Vancouver's pre-season game against the Calgary Flames. Wearing a letter doesn't guarantee a roster spot, but it can be seen as a reward for all the hard work a player has put in during the offseason and Training Camp. For Di Giuseppe, wearing a letter, even for just one night, is special and something he doesn't take for granted. 

"It's huge. You know, I'm 30, but I feel young at heart. But you know, with age comes experience and, along with that, leadership. It means a lot to me. It's just pre-season, but you know, it's a testament to what they think of you and how much this organization means to me."

While it won't be easy, Di Giuseppe has shown why he deserves a spot in the opening lineup. Whether at Training Camp or during the pre-season, he continues to stand out as one of the hardest-working guys on the team. If he can keep up this level of play, not only should he be able to nail down a roster spot, but he could be in store for a career year.