A new week in a new month and it’s time for another Monday mailbag. Do you realize by this time next month the framework for the <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/combinations">Vancouver Canucks</a> roster could very well be in place? With the NHL Draft now just weeks away and beyond that free agency, we’re not far from off-season fireworks. Of course, before then, the Stanley Cup will be presented. And closer to home, the Calder Cup is a distinct possibility. While we await some of the biggest days on the hockey calendar, we’ll answer some of your Canucks-related questions in this week’s mailbag. Let&#8217;s start with an outside the box suggestion to address the Canucks woes at centre ice:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Is there any chance that Dakota Joshua can shift back to play center?
&mdash; Gary Ward Hofman (@gamble_gary) <a href="https://twitter.com/gamble_gary/status/1929234672195645591?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 1, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
On the surface, I kind of like this suggestion. A big body that could match-up against other sizeable centres in the Pacific Division is exactly what the Canucks need. Now, Dakota Joshua has played almost all of his minutes in his three seasons in Vancouver as a winger. But he is listed on NHL.com as a centre.
And he did win the majority of the face-offs he took last season. Joshua went 23 &amp; 19 (54.8%) in the circle in 2024-25 and in his three season in Vancouver, he has won 51% of his draws &#8212; even if the volume of face-offs taken is somewhat limited (just 157 in three seasons). Now there is a lot more to playing centre in the NHL than just winning face-offs.
There are defensive strategies, match-up responsibilities and, of course, you need to be able to carry and distribute the puck. Joshua has a solid skill set and could probably adapt to the position change. However, it&#8217;s not something the Canucks have toyed with to this point so I&#8217;m not expecting to see the 29-year-old arrive for camp and be slotted in the middle. The Canucks also need Joshua&#8217;s size and physicality on the wings. So as much as I wouldn&#8217;t mind seeing this experiment with my own eyes, I&#8217;d anticipate Dakota Joshua still playing the wing next season.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Is there a way to trade Myers? He&#39;s expendable and we could use the roster space
&mdash; Jordan 🇨🇦 (@TheStig_16) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheStig_16/status/1928871106011869486?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 31, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Well, Jordan, sorry to break it to you, but the veteran defenceman has a full no movement clause for the entirety of the 2025-26 NHL season. That becomes a 12-team no trade list a year from now when there will be just one year left on his three-year contract. I’d quibble with your assertion that Myers is expendable. While it’s true that both Victor Mancini and Tom Willander are enticing NHL prospects, due to their inexperience, it’s unlikely they’ll get into games together. 
So Tyler Myers still has a role to play on the Canucks&#8217; blueline next season. If the two newbies progress as hoped, perhaps there is a world in which Myers’ ice time diminishes as the season unfolds. But as things stand right now, Filip Hronek and Tyler Myers sit 1-2 on the right defence depth chart. Myers is a popular teammate, part of the leadership group and has prospered under Adam Foote over the past couple of seasons. I don’t see that changing any time soon.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Heading into the Stanley Cup Finals, are you Team Canadian, Team McDavid, Team Repeat, or Team “just want to see great hockey”?
It would be an awful shame for McDavid not to win a Stanley Cup in his career but is it too much to ask for the Canucks to win theirs first?
&mdash; Jay (@TheHeartPlumber) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheHeartPlumber/status/1928938637158133881?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 31, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I’m definitely Team ‘just want to see great hockey’ and expect that we will. I just wish we didn’t all have to wait until Wednesday to get the Final going. I’m prepared for Connor McDavid to win a Stanley Cup. If that happens, it means Troy Stetcher wins one, too. And I’m excited for that possibility. Then again, if Florida goes back to back, that’s a remarkable accomplishment in the salary cap era. And it would mean that Roberto Luongo gets another ring. I’m not taking sides here and I’m not making any predictions. I just hope that the series lives up to its potential because both the Oilers and Panthers have looked impressive throughout these playoffs.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
What kind of role do you realistically see Chytil filling next season? Will he be given the deployment to make a difference?
&mdash; 🍏🍦Blake Creamer🏒🍎 (@BlakeCreamerAG) <a href="https://twitter.com/BlakeCreamerAG/status/1928868633108955469?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 31, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
First things first, I need to see a fully healthy Filip Chytil show up at training camp and I’m sure I’m not alone hoping that happens. When in the line-up and on top of his game, Chytil has shown to be a tantalizing package of size, skill and speed. In his brief time with the Canucks, he showed how effective he can be transporting the puck through the neutral zone. 
I just don’t think the Canucks can head into the season with Chytil as their second line centre option. So I hope they find someone to slide in ahead of him on the depth chart and let Chytil prove himself and earn his opportunities. I can see a world in which he centres a third line and also sees power play duty. If he proves he’s more than a 3C, that’s a win for the Canucks. But with his injury history, it’s hard to slot him in higher in the line-up and expect that he’ll be able to play all 82 games.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
The assistant coaching staff situation still seems undetermined. But all the candidates mentioned certainly appear to be more defensive minded so far. Any word on how they’re thinking through getting more offensive teaching minds into the mix?
&mdash; Chris Leong (@cleong16) <a href="https://twitter.com/cleong16/status/1928869070591394075?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 31, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Certainly rumoured names like Luke Richardson, Bob Bougner and Kevin Dean all carry a profile much like new head coach Adam Foote. All were defencemen during their playing days and have spent time coaching that side of the game. But the Canucks have stated for the record that they are looking for someone to help with offence and until they have filled their coaching vacancies, I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt that they are still seeking a coach with that background. Of course, Yogi Svejkovsky was a scorer in his playing days and he’s expected to be retained, and the Sedins are still on staff and will likely be involved again next season. So it’s not as if there are no offensive minds on the payroll. 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
As long as 97 &amp; 29 roam free, even if VAN got the best offensive players available (see DAL with Rantanen) they still couldn’t compete offensively. They hired Foote, have a great goalie tandem, solid D corps, is there any wisdom to going full-on Lemaire, boring as that may be?
&mdash; CaliCanuck (@CanuckCali) <a href="https://twitter.com/CanuckCali/status/1928878377613578559?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 31, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Everything you say about the team’s goal prevention plans is accurate. But there’s also the issue of making and keeping Quinn Hughes happy. And I highly doubt the dynamic captain would be on board for going ‘full-on Lemaire’ as you suggest. Hughes needs to be able to thrive and putting limits on the way he approaches and plays the game feels criminal. 
Also, the notion of going full-on Lemaire sounds boring and I doubt the fanbase would buy in. Plus, as much as the team might try to defend its way to success using that kind of system next season, there’s always the issue of the other team scoring a couple of goals. And then what? The Canucks know they need to beef up their offensive capabilities. Sitting back and trying to win 1-0 and 2-1 sounds horrible and it’s a plan I simply can not endorse. Hopefully the Canucks feel the same way.
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<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.com/</a></div>

Jeff Paterson's weekly Vancouver Canucks mailbag.

A new week in a new month and it’s time for another Monday mailbag. Do you realize by this time next month the framework for the <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/combinations">Vancouver Canucks</a> roster could very well be in place? With the NHL Draft now just weeks away and beyond that free agency, we’re not far from off-season fireworks. Of course, before then, the Stanley Cup will be presented. And closer to home, the Calder Cup is a distinct possibility. While we await some of the biggest days on the hockey calendar, we’ll answer some of your Canucks-related questions in this week’s mailbag. Let's start with an outside the box suggestion to address the Canucks woes at centre ice:

https://twitter.com/gamble_gary/status/1929234672195645591

On the surface, I kind of like this suggestion. A big body that could match-up against other sizeable centres in the Pacific Division is exactly what the Canucks need. Now, Dakota Joshua has played almost all of his minutes in his three seasons in Vancouver as a winger. But he is listed on NHL.com as a centre.

And he did win the majority of the face-offs he took last season. Joshua went 23 &amp; 19 (54.8%) in the circle in 2024-25 and in his three season in Vancouver, he has won 51% of his draws -- even if the volume of face-offs taken is somewhat limited (just 157 in three seasons). Now there is a lot more to playing centre in the NHL than just winning face-offs.

There are defensive strategies, match-up responsibilities and, of course, you need to be able to carry and distribute the puck. Joshua has a solid skill set and could probably adapt to the position change. However, it's not something the Canucks have toyed with to this point so I'm not expecting to see the 29-year-old arrive for camp and be slotted in the middle. The Canucks also need Joshua's size and physicality on the wings. So as much as I wouldn't mind seeing this experiment with my own eyes, I'd anticipate Dakota Joshua still playing the wing next season.

https://twitter.com/TheStig_16/status/1928871106011869486

Well, Jordan, sorry to break it to you, but the veteran defenceman has a full no movement clause for the entirety of the 2025-26 NHL season. That becomes a 12-team no trade list a year from now when there will be just one year left on his three-year contract. I’d quibble with your assertion that Myers is expendable. While it’s true that both Victor Mancini and Tom Willander are enticing NHL prospects, due to their inexperience, it’s unlikely they’ll get into games together. 

So Tyler Myers still has a role to play on the Canucks' blueline next season. If the two newbies progress as hoped, perhaps there is a world in which Myers’ ice time diminishes as the season unfolds. But as things stand right now, Filip Hronek and Tyler Myers sit 1-2 on the right defence depth chart. Myers is a popular teammate, part of the leadership group and has prospered under Adam Foote over the past couple of seasons. I don’t see that changing any time soon.

https://twitter.com/TheHeartPlumber/status/1928938637158133881

I’m definitely Team ‘just want to see great hockey’ and expect that we will. I just wish we didn’t all have to wait until Wednesday to get the Final going. I’m prepared for Connor McDavid to win a Stanley Cup. If that happens, it means Troy Stetcher wins one, too. And I’m excited for that possibility. Then again, if Florida goes back to back, that’s a remarkable accomplishment in the salary cap era. And it would mean that Roberto Luongo gets another ring. I’m not taking sides here and I’m not making any predictions. I just hope that the series lives up to its potential because both the Oilers and Panthers have looked impressive throughout these playoffs.

https://twitter.com/BlakeCreamerAG/status/1928868633108955469

First things first, I need to see a fully healthy Filip Chytil show up at training camp and I’m sure I’m not alone hoping that happens. When in the line-up and on top of his game, Chytil has shown to be a tantalizing package of size, skill and speed. In his brief time with the Canucks, he showed how effective he can be transporting the puck through the neutral zone. 

I just don’t think the Canucks can head into the season with Chytil as their second line centre option. So I hope they find someone to slide in ahead of him on the depth chart and let Chytil prove himself and earn his opportunities. I can see a world in which he centres a third line and also sees power play duty. If he proves he’s more than a 3C, that’s a win for the Canucks. But with his injury history, it’s hard to slot him in higher in the line-up and expect that he’ll be able to play all 82 games.

https://twitter.com/cleong16/status/1928869070591394075

Certainly rumoured names like Luke Richardson, Bob Bougner and Kevin Dean all carry a profile much like new head coach Adam Foote. All were defencemen during their playing days and have spent time coaching that side of the game. But the Canucks have stated for the record that they are looking for someone to help with offence and until they have filled their coaching vacancies, I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt that they are still seeking a coach with that background. Of course, Yogi Svejkovsky was a scorer in his playing days and he’s expected to be retained, and the Sedins are still on staff and will likely be involved again next season. So it’s not as if there are no offensive minds on the payroll. 

https://twitter.com/CanuckCali/status/1928878377613578559

Everything you say about the team’s goal prevention plans is accurate. But there’s also the issue of making and keeping Quinn Hughes happy. And I highly doubt the dynamic captain would be on board for going ‘full-on Lemaire’ as you suggest. Hughes needs to be able to thrive and putting limits on the way he approaches and plays the game feels criminal. 

Also, the notion of going full-on Lemaire sounds boring and I doubt the fanbase would buy in. Plus, as much as the team might try to defend its way to success using that kind of system next season, there’s always the issue of the other team scoring a couple of goals. And then what? The Canucks know they need to beef up their offensive capabilities. Sitting back and trying to win 1-0 and 2-1 sounds horrible and it’s a plan I simply can not endorse. Hopefully the Canucks feel the same way.
<h2>PRESENTED BY WHISTLER GOLF CLUB</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.com/</a></div>

JPat’s Monday Canucks Mailbag: Could Dakota Joshua address the need for size at centre ice?

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