<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As the <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/the-farmies-arturs-silovs-sends-abbotsford-canucks-through-third-round-calder-playoffs-series-winning-shutout">Abbotsford Canucks</a> progress in the American Hockey League playoffs, it seems more and more of you are digging in on the success of the team in the Fraser Valley. And rightfully so. It’s a fun group that has played well through the first two rounds and now gets set for a tough test in the division final against Colorado. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As such, we received a number of Abbotsford-related questions for this week’s mailbag. We’ll dive in on those, plus a couple of questions about the big league team. Let’s get down to business.</span></p>
<blockquote class="bluesky-embed" data-bluesky-uri="at://did:plc:7gpg4wrjiwmuc7lsjafchujv/app.bsky.feed.post/3lotxiojzsk2g" data-bluesky-cid="bafyreieptp6d2jc77olaiby6econ2oxjdhuhkh7xqh74vc7vdfv2b3pkdm">
<p lang="en">What are the top 3-5 things #Canucks have going for them in 2025/6? Give us some hope JPat&#8230;.</p>
<p>&mdash; <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:7gpg4wrjiwmuc7lsjafchujv?ref_src=embed">Game7OT (@game7ot.bsky.social)</a> <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:7gpg4wrjiwmuc7lsjafchujv/post/3lotxiojzsk2g?ref_src=embed">2025-05-10T22:11:28.138Z</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://embed.bsky.app/static/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Well, they’ve got <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/rutherford-says-hughes-told-him-phone-was-dead-day-tocchets-departure">Quinn Hughes</a> for starters. So that’s an easy answer to this question. There are 31 other teams that would love to have Hughes on their roster. Beyond that, the Canucks seem to have established the framework of a defence corps that, if fully healthy, should be able to handle itself in just about any situation. They also have a goaltending tandem that, on paper – and if handled correctly – should be among the strongest in the league. They’ve got Kiefer Sherwood. He was fun last season, and there’s every reason to believe he will be again next season. They’ve got more than $16M in cap space. That’s exciting, right? And they’re going to have a new coach with endless optimism and limitless possibilities. So they’ve got that going for them. Now they just need to find some guys who can put the puck in the net.</span></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Is it even remotely possible to fix their roster issues in one offseason?</p>
<p>&mdash; Michael Beck (@MichaelBeck56) <a href="https://twitter.com/MichaelBeck56/status/1921269816314237282?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 10, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Yes, it is. But to borrow a phrase from Jim Rutherford: ‘the Canucks will need everything to go right for them&#8217; this summer. First and foremost, they need <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/what-would-elias-pettersson-get-hit-free-agent-market-summer-vancouver-canucks-conversation">Elias Pettersson</a> to return to star form. Everything else flows from there. They likely need to hit a home run on the trade front. They need Filip Chytil to be fully healthy – and stay fully healthy – next season. They probably need to make a splash at the top of the free agent market. They need to land one or two buy-low free agents who outperform their contracts. And they need bounce-back years from Dakota Joshua and Nils Höglander. That’s a long list of ifs, but to answer the question, yes, it can be done.</span></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">What’s going on with Klimovich in Abby? Multiple scratches</p>
<p>&mdash; Thembi Rowe 🇨🇦 (@RowePrime) <a href="https://twitter.com/RowePrime/status/1921275634560499849?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 10, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Clearly, <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/jim-rutherford-says-manny-malhotra-on-shortlist-be-vancouver-canucks-next-coach">Manny Malhotra</a> feels he has better options to round out his lineup than Klimovich, who led Abbotsford with 25 goals in the regular season. It’s not every day you’ll find a team scratching its top goal scorer in the playoffs. But Klimovich scored most of his goals in a top six role and on the power play during the regular season. With so many players returning from the NHL, Klimovich has been squeezed out of a top six spot. And Malhotra has decided to go with others ahead of Klimovich – guys who are better suited to grinder roles or to killing penalties. At this time of year, Klimovich has to work hard in practice and stay ready. There is every reason to believe he will get back in the Abbotsford lineup at some point. But right now, Malhotra’s riding a winning lineup into the third round, and it’s impossible to blame him for that.</span></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Why don’t we hear Jay Woodcroft for the Canucks? The guy has coached in a Canadian market and I dare say if he had a goalie at the time he may still be there? Would he be a good fit?</p>
<p>&mdash; Rick Kosko (@RickKosko) <a href="https://twitter.com/RickKosko/status/1921273596384579736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 10, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I’ve certainly heard and been asked about Jay Woodcroft a number of times in the past few weeks. So I’m not sure who or what you’re listening to. I’m a big believer that coaches are almost universally better the second time around, and truly believe that would be the case for Woodcroft. He has coached against the Canucks and would have some knowledge of and a good feel for the team’s personnel. He fits the Canucks criteria of having both NHL and AHL head coaching experience. He has won multiple rounds in the Stanley Cup playoffs and, in his last full season, guided Edmonton to a 50-win season. He’ll work again behind an NHL bench. The Canucks don’t consult me in these matters, but I’d think Woodcroft would be a strong candidate for the job here.</span></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">From watching Abby in the playoffs, who do you see as a regular on the big club next season?</p>
<p>&mdash; Josh The Zamboni Guy (@JoshZamboniGuy) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoshZamboniGuy/status/1921308336311447760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 10, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I’ve had fun hosting Rink Wide after every Abbotsford game in the AHL playoffs and have really enjoyed the chance to watch that team closely over the past few weeks. Much of the team’s postseason success has been on the backs of veterans like Phil Di Giuseppe, Jujhar Khaira and Guillaume Brisebois. And successful minor league teams absolutely need those types of players who have been through the battles. However, as for legitimate prospects stepping up in the postseason, there is a bit of a waiting game. Max Sasson has certainly had his moments, and his speed separates him from the pack at that level. Linus Karlsson has scored three goals, but hasn’t exactly been a nightly force. Jonathan Lekkerimäki has been far too quiet in the games he’s played, and Aatu Räty is injured right now, with his status for the start of Round 3 is unknown. Kirill Kudryavtsev continues to impress at the end of his first year as a professional, but isn’t likely to be a regular on the big league team next season. Based solely on the playoffs, it’s hard to see anyone making a huge case for full-time employment at the NHL level next season. Abbotsford’s greatest strength is its depth rather than any one player standing alone. Maybe Manny Malhotra is the best answer to this one.</span></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Should Vancouver offer Sammy Blais an NHL contract?</p>
<p>&mdash; Abby Canucker (@AbbyCanucker) <a href="https://twitter.com/AbbyCanucker/status/1921297558003192169?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 10, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I didn’t mention <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/hes-leading-by-example-vancouver-canucks-sammy-blais-leading-ahl-playoffs-points">Sammy Blais</a> in the answer above because I knew this question was coming. Blais has been terrific in the playoffs. He leads the AHL postseason in scoring with eight points. It should be pointed out that all three of his goals have come on the power play, and they all came in the opening round against Tucson. But beyond goals and assists, he is a physical force who hits through opponents and makes his presence felt virtually every shift. At 28, he’s the same age as players like Brock Boeser and Jake DeBrusk. He’s a different kind of player, so I’m not comparing him to the way Boeser and DeBrusk score, but rather painting a picture of a player who is not old by hockey standards and surely has many good years left in him. It’s been my assertion that Blais has earned another chance to play in the NHL. Whether it comes with the Canucks, I’m not sure. To answer your question, I’d have no issue with him playing a fourth-line role here next season. And if Manny Malhotra gets the head coaching job in Vancouver, perhaps that paves the way for Blais to follow. Regardless of who is behind the bench, the Canucks now know the player well and should be comfortable offering a two-way contract at the very least. But we’ll have to see what the summer brings to know which other organizations value the things Blais has displayed all season in Abbotsford.</span></p>
<h2><strong>PRESENTED BY WHISTLER GOLF CLUB</strong></h2>
<p><a href="https://www.whistlergolf.com/"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-142422 size-large" src="https://publish.canucksarmy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/WG_logo_black-1024x564.png" alt="" width="1024" height="564" srcset="https://publish.canucksarmy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/WG_logo_black-1024x564.png 1024w, https://publish.canucksarmy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/WG_logo_black-300x165.png 300w, https://publish.canucksarmy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/WG_logo_black-768x423.png 768w, https://publish.canucksarmy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/WG_logo_black-1536x846.png 1536w, https://publish.canucksarmy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/WG_logo_black-2048x1128.png 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></p>
<div>This article is a presentation of the Arnold Palmer designed Whistler Golf Club.  Spring preparations are underway with opening day on May 9th.  Whistler Golf Club is now accepting online bookings for the entire 2025 season, so no need to wait to get those times locked in.  If you have a group of 12 or more, get those times on hold now as prime times are filling up fast.  For more information, head to <a href="https://www.whistlergolf.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.whistlergolf.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1744132058749000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0ap1p40lH7OdVKoTc7zBpV">https://www.whistlergolf.<wbr />com/</a></div>


Jeff Paterson's weekly Vancouver Canucks mailbag.

<span style="font-weight: 400;">As the <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/the-farmies-arturs-silovs-sends-abbotsford-canucks-through-third-round-calder-playoffs-series-winning-shutout">Abbotsford Canucks</a> progress in the American Hockey League playoffs, it seems more and more of you are digging in on the success of the team in the Fraser Valley. And rightfully so. It’s a fun group that has played well through the first two rounds and now gets set for a tough test in the division final against Colorado. </span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">As such, we received a number of Abbotsford-related questions for this week’s mailbag. We’ll dive in on those, plus a couple of questions about the big league team. Let’s get down to business.</span>

https://bsky.app/profile/game7ot.bsky.social/post/3lotxiojzsk2g

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Well, they’ve got <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/rutherford-says-hughes-told-him-phone-was-dead-day-tocchets-departure">Quinn Hughes</a> for starters. So that’s an easy answer to this question. There are 31 other teams that would love to have Hughes on their roster. Beyond that, the Canucks seem to have established the framework of a defence corps that, if fully healthy, should be able to handle itself in just about any situation. They also have a goaltending tandem that, on paper – and if handled correctly – should be among the strongest in the league. They’ve got Kiefer Sherwood. He was fun last season, and there’s every reason to believe he will be again next season. They’ve got more than $16M in cap space. That’s exciting, right? And they’re going to have a new coach with endless optimism and limitless possibilities. So they’ve got that going for them. Now they just need to find some guys who can put the puck in the net.</span>

https://twitter.com/MichaelBeck56/status/1921269816314237282

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Yes, it is. But to borrow a phrase from Jim Rutherford: ‘the Canucks will need everything to go right for them' this summer. First and foremost, they need <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/what-would-elias-pettersson-get-hit-free-agent-market-summer-vancouver-canucks-conversation">Elias Pettersson</a> to return to star form. Everything else flows from there. They likely need to hit a home run on the trade front. They need Filip Chytil to be fully healthy – and stay fully healthy – next season. They probably need to make a splash at the top of the free agent market. They need to land one or two buy-low free agents who outperform their contracts. And they need bounce-back years from Dakota Joshua and Nils Höglander. That’s a long list of ifs, but to answer the question, yes, it can be done.</span>

https://twitter.com/RowePrime/status/1921275634560499849

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Clearly, <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/jim-rutherford-says-manny-malhotra-on-shortlist-be-vancouver-canucks-next-coach">Manny Malhotra</a> feels he has better options to round out his lineup than Klimovich, who led Abbotsford with 25 goals in the regular season. It’s not every day you’ll find a team scratching its top goal scorer in the playoffs. But Klimovich scored most of his goals in a top six role and on the power play during the regular season. With so many players returning from the NHL, Klimovich has been squeezed out of a top six spot. And Malhotra has decided to go with others ahead of Klimovich – guys who are better suited to grinder roles or to killing penalties. At this time of year, Klimovich has to work hard in practice and stay ready. There is every reason to believe he will get back in the Abbotsford lineup at some point. But right now, Malhotra’s riding a winning lineup into the third round, and it’s impossible to blame him for that.</span>

https://twitter.com/RickKosko/status/1921273596384579736

<span style="font-weight: 400;">I’ve certainly heard and been asked about Jay Woodcroft a number of times in the past few weeks. So I’m not sure who or what you’re listening to. I’m a big believer that coaches are almost universally better the second time around, and truly believe that would be the case for Woodcroft. He has coached against the Canucks and would have some knowledge of and a good feel for the team’s personnel. He fits the Canucks criteria of having both NHL and AHL head coaching experience. He has won multiple rounds in the Stanley Cup playoffs and, in his last full season, guided Edmonton to a 50-win season. He’ll work again behind an NHL bench. The Canucks don’t consult me in these matters, but I’d think Woodcroft would be a strong candidate for the job here.</span>

https://twitter.com/JoshZamboniGuy/status/1921308336311447760

<span style="font-weight: 400;">I’ve had fun hosting Rink Wide after every Abbotsford game in the AHL playoffs and have really enjoyed the chance to watch that team closely over the past few weeks. Much of the team’s postseason success has been on the backs of veterans like Phil Di Giuseppe, Jujhar Khaira and Guillaume Brisebois. And successful minor league teams absolutely need those types of players who have been through the battles. However, as for legitimate prospects stepping up in the postseason, there is a bit of a waiting game. Max Sasson has certainly had his moments, and his speed separates him from the pack at that level. Linus Karlsson has scored three goals, but hasn’t exactly been a nightly force. Jonathan Lekkerimäki has been far too quiet in the games he’s played, and Aatu Räty is injured right now, with his status for the start of Round 3 is unknown. Kirill Kudryavtsev continues to impress at the end of his first year as a professional, but isn’t likely to be a regular on the big league team next season. Based solely on the playoffs, it’s hard to see anyone making a huge case for full-time employment at the NHL level next season. Abbotsford’s greatest strength is its depth rather than any one player standing alone. Maybe Manny Malhotra is the best answer to this one.</span>

https://twitter.com/AbbyCanucker/status/1921297558003192169

<span style="font-weight: 400;">I didn’t mention <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/hes-leading-by-example-vancouver-canucks-sammy-blais-leading-ahl-playoffs-points">Sammy Blais</a> in the answer above because I knew this question was coming. Blais has been terrific in the playoffs. He leads the AHL postseason in scoring with eight points. It should be pointed out that all three of his goals have come on the power play, and they all came in the opening round against Tucson. But beyond goals and assists, he is a physical force who hits through opponents and makes his presence felt virtually every shift. At 28, he’s the same age as players like Brock Boeser and Jake DeBrusk. He’s a different kind of player, so I’m not comparing him to the way Boeser and DeBrusk score, but rather painting a picture of a player who is not old by hockey standards and surely has many good years left in him. It’s been my assertion that Blais has earned another chance to play in the NHL. Whether it comes with the Canucks, I’m not sure. To answer your question, I’d have no issue with him playing a fourth-line role here next season. And if Manny Malhotra gets the head coaching job in Vancouver, perhaps that paves the way for Blais to follow. Regardless of who is behind the bench, the Canucks now know the player well and should be comfortable offering a two-way contract at the very least. But we’ll have to see what the summer brings to know which other organizations value the things Blais has displayed all season in Abbotsford.</span>
<h2><strong>PRESENTED BY WHISTLER GOLF CLUB</strong></h2>
<a href="https://www.whistlergolf.com/"><img class="alignnone wp-image-142422 size-large" src="https://publish.canucksarmy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/WG_logo_black-1024x564.png" alt="" width="1024" height="564" /></a>
<div>This article is a presentation of the Arnold Palmer designed Whistler Golf Club.  Spring preparations are underway with opening day on May 9th.  Whistler Golf Club is now accepting online bookings for the entire 2025 season, so no need to wait to get those times locked in.  If you have a group of 12 or more, get those times on hold now as prime times are filling up fast.  For more information, head to <a href="https://www.whistlergolf.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.whistlergolf.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1744132058749000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0ap1p40lH7OdVKoTc7zBpV">https://www.whistlergolf.<wbr />com/</a></div>

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