<p>The Vancouver Canucks made headlines this weekend when they traded away forward JT Miller on Friday evening.</p>
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<p>The club moved him back to his drafted team, the New York Rangers. The Canucks got a package of forward Filip Chytil, defenceman Victor Mancini and a top-13 protected first-round pick in 2025. But they weren&#8217;t done there. That first-round pick was burning a hole in their pocket as just a few hours later.</p>
<p>Canucks management sent that first-round pick, along with forward Danton Heinen, defenceman Vincent Desharnais and prospect Melvin Fernström, to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for forward Drew O&#8217;Connor and defenceman Marcus Pettersson.</p>
<p>With all of these trades happening on Friday night, the players were unavailable for their game against the Stars that night. But Chytil, O&#8217;Connor and Pettersson are all expected to make their Canucks debut tonight against the Detroit Red Wings. Mancini was recalled earlier this morning, but it&#8217;s still unknown if he will be in the lineup tonight.</p>
<p>So, let&#8217;s dive into what Canucks fans can expect out of Chytil, O&#8217;Connor and Pettersson when they make their debut with their new team tonight.</p>
<h1>Filip Chytil</h1>
<p>Chytil is a 6&#8217;2&#8243;, 210-lb left-shot centreman who has speed and puck skills to cause some damage with open space. The 25-year-old has 11 goals and nine assists for 20 points with a plus-4 rating through 41 games this season in New York. Chytil isn&#8217;t a volume shooter, averaging just 2.2 shots on goal per game, but tied his career high in shooting percentage at 12.4%.</p>
<p>Here is how Chytil described what his game is like when he&#8217;s playing his best:</p>
<p>&#8220;Playing with the speed, getting to the net, making plays. That&#8217;s my game. There&#8217;s still a lot of things I have to work on, especially defence and faceoffs. But that&#8217;s part of the process, and I believe in hard work. So I do that every day, and with each day, I&#8217;m getting better even at those things.&#8221;</p>
<p>Taking a look at Chytil&#8217;s NHL Edge data, he nailed his description.</p>
<p>The Czech forward ranks in the 92nd percentile in terms of speed score, clocking in at 23.15 MPH and 95th in total speed bursts over 20+ MPH, with 131 already on the season.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-138645 size-full" src="https://publish.canucksarmy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/FC-Speed.png" alt="" width="788" height="631" srcset="https://publish.canucksarmy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/FC-Speed.png 788w, https://publish.canucksarmy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/FC-Speed-300x240.png 300w, https://publish.canucksarmy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/FC-Speed-768x615.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 788px) 100vw, 788px" /></p>
<p>He also mentioned getting to the net as something Chytil does when he&#8217;s playing his best. He&#8217;s certainly not shy from going to the net front as you can see in his shot chart.</p>
<p><em>Shot Chart on the left. Goal chart on the right.</em></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-138646" src="https://publish.canucksarmy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/FC-Shots.png" alt="" width="400" height="450" srcset="https://publish.canucksarmy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/FC-Shots.png 472w, https://publish.canucksarmy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/FC-Shots-267x300.png 267w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-138647" src="https://publish.canucksarmy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/FC-goals.png" alt="" width="400" height="454" srcset="https://publish.canucksarmy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/FC-goals.png 457w, https://publish.canucksarmy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/FC-goals-264x300.png 264w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></p>
<p>Chytil isn&#8217;t afraid to shoot from anywhere, but he does get most of his shots from the net front. However, he&#8217;s not a distance goal scorer. He has just two of his goals this season coming from the further half of the faceoff circles.</p>
<p>Now, this might be due to his speed to get past the defenders and into the net front area, as shown on this goal:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">FILTHY FILIP CHYTIL 😱 <a href="https://t.co/A0dscHfPxB">pic.twitter.com/A0dscHfPxB</a></p>
<p>&mdash; NHL (@NHL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NHL/status/1637596249296719876?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Chytil&#8217;s burning speed and ability to score off the rush is something Canucks fans can get excited for. He has played sheltered minutes in New York, averaging just 14:04 minutes of ice time per game over his career, playing behind centremen Mika Zibanejad and Vincent Trocheck. He will get an opportunity to play a more prominent role here in Vancouver.</p>
<h1>Drew O&#8217;Connor</h1>
<p>O&#8217;Connor is a 6&#8217;4&#8243;, 209-lb speedy winger who excels in both facets of the game. He has been used up and down the Penguins lineup, spending time playing alongside Sidney Crosby as well as in a third-line shutdown role.</p>
<p>Here is how O&#8217;Connor described what his game is like when he&#8217;s playing his best:</p>
<p>&#8220;I think I can play both sides of the puck, you know, contribute on the penalty kill and bring some offence as well. I&#8217;m at my best forechecking, winning puck battles in the offensive zone, getting to the net and doing things to make life difficult for the other team.&#8221;</p>
<p>The 26-year-old has six goals and 10 assists for 16 points through 53 games this season. He does have a sour minus-14 rating this season, but that ties the second-best rating of the Penguins&#8217; top-nine forwards. O&#8217;Connor was also a trusted member of the Penguins penalty kill, averaging over 1:40 minutes of average PK time throughout the previous two seasons in Pittsburgh.</p>
<p>For a 6&#8217;4&#8243; forward, O&#8217;Connor&#8217;s speed is a major asset to his game. He ranks in the 90th percentile in top speed score, clocking in at 23.1 MPH and in the 96th percentile in speed bursts between 20-22 MPH, with 136.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-138649 size-full" src="https://publish.canucksarmy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/DO-Speed.png" alt="" width="1223" height="470" srcset="https://publish.canucksarmy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/DO-Speed.png 1223w, https://publish.canucksarmy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/DO-Speed-300x115.png 300w, https://publish.canucksarmy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/DO-Speed-1024x394.png 1024w, https://publish.canucksarmy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/DO-Speed-768x295.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1223px) 100vw, 1223px" /></p>
<p>O&#8217;Connor will bring size and speed with great forechecking ability that will pair nicely with the other forwards playing in the Canucks top nine. His ability to turn defence into offence and penalty-killing prowess will help the depth scoring of the team.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thank you Drew O&#39;Connor, really enjoyed watching him grow over the years with the Penguins. Worked his way into a pretty important piece to that late season push last year.</p>
<p>Something about this goal always gets me going, regardless of the outcome. <a href="https://t.co/5iptmvBl8H">pic.twitter.com/5iptmvBl8H</a></p>
<p>&mdash; nhlpens (@nhlpens) <a href="https://twitter.com/nhlpens/status/1885562730695758151?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<h1>Marcus Pettersson</h1>
<p>Pettersson is a 6&#8217;5&#8243;, 174-lb defensive defenceman who can help move the puck up the ice for a blueline who desperately needs it. The left-shot blueliner adds some offence to his game, tallying three goals and 15 assists for 18 points through 47 games this season. Considering the shape of the Penguins blueline, having a minus-2 rating is the best of all defenceman.</p>
<p>Here is how Pettersson described what his game is like when he&#8217;s playing his best:</p>
<p>&#8220;Simple game, really. Simple two-way game. Try to move the puck as quickly as I can out of the D-zone. I feel like when I&#8217;m at my best, I have a good first pass. I use my stick, my reach. I use my feet to skate. The simplicity of my game when it&#8217;s at a high level I feel like I&#8217;m at my best.&#8221;</p>
<p>Simple is all the Canucks are looking for on the backend. They have the offensive dynamo Quinn Hughes, as well as Filip Hronek, who is confident with the back and solid in his own zone, and that&#8217;s the kind of defenceman they&#8217;re acquiring in Pettersson.</p>
<p>The lanky defenceman is also a strong penalty killer. While his size is there at 6&#8217;5&#8243;, there are concerns about his ability to win battles in front of the net. However, with bigger, stronger defenceman on the team, they can cover the net front while Pettersson surveys the puck carrier in the defensive zone with his strong range and stick skills.</p>
<p>From watching some clips from the Penguins, it sounds like Pettersson is a quality locker room guy who can lift the spirits in the Canucks locker room – which they desperately need after the events that have taken place this season.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Seems like the Canucks are getting a (much needed) positive and vocal player in Marcus Pettersson <a href="https://t.co/GqzdR4bXSd">pic.twitter.com/GqzdR4bXSd</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Josh Elliott-Wolfe (@ElliottWolfeJ) <a href="https://twitter.com/ElliottWolfeJ/status/1885577932154036316?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>So, not only is he going to make his presence felt on the ice, but he can help bring some character into the Canucks locker room. Pettersson is the top-four defenceman they&#8217;ve been looking for, and considering this is the second time Jim Rutherford has traded for him, they will likely make a strong push to get him re-signed.</p>
<p>What are you expecting out of the newest Canucks in their debut tonight against the Red Wings, Canucks fans? Let us know in the comments below.</p>
<p><strong>Sponsored by bet365</strong></p>
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The Vancouver Canucks made headlines this weekend when they traded away forward JT Miller on Friday evening.
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The club moved him back to his drafted team, the New York Rangers. The Canucks got a package of forward Filip Chytil, defenceman Victor Mancini and a top-13 protected first-round pick in 2025. But they weren't done there. That first-round pick was burning a hole in their pocket as just a few hours later.

Canucks management sent that first-round pick, along with forward Danton Heinen, defenceman Vincent Desharnais and prospect Melvin Fernström, to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for forward Drew O'Connor and defenceman Marcus Pettersson.

With all of these trades happening on Friday night, the players were unavailable for their game against the Stars that night. But Chytil, O'Connor and Pettersson are all expected to make their Canucks debut tonight against the Detroit Red Wings. Mancini was recalled earlier this morning, but it's still unknown if he will be in the lineup tonight.

So, let's dive into what Canucks fans can expect out of Chytil, O'Connor and Pettersson when they make their debut with their new team tonight.
<h1>Filip Chytil</h1>
Chytil is a 6'2", 210-lb left-shot centreman who has speed and puck skills to cause some damage with open space. The 25-year-old has 11 goals and nine assists for 20 points with a plus-4 rating through 41 games this season in New York. Chytil isn't a volume shooter, averaging just 2.2 shots on goal per game, but tied his career high in shooting percentage at 12.4%.

Here is how Chytil described what his game is like when he's playing his best:

"Playing with the speed, getting to the net, making plays. That's my game. There's still a lot of things I have to work on, especially defence and faceoffs. But that's part of the process, and I believe in hard work. So I do that every day, and with each day, I'm getting better even at those things."

Taking a look at Chytil's NHL Edge data, he nailed his description.

The Czech forward ranks in the 92nd percentile in terms of speed score, clocking in at 23.15 MPH and 95th in total speed bursts over 20+ MPH, with 131 already on the season.

<img class="alignnone wp-image-138645 size-full" src="https://publish.canucksarmy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/FC-Speed.png" alt="" width="788" height="631" />

He also mentioned getting to the net as something Chytil does when he's playing his best. He's certainly not shy from going to the net front as you can see in his shot chart.

<em>Shot Chart on the left. Goal chart on the right.</em>

<img class="alignnone wp-image-138646" src="https://publish.canucksarmy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/FC-Shots.png" alt="" width="400" height="450" /><img class="alignnone wp-image-138647" src="https://publish.canucksarmy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/FC-goals.png" alt="" width="400" height="454" />

Chytil isn't afraid to shoot from anywhere, but he does get most of his shots from the net front. However, he's not a distance goal scorer. He has just two of his goals this season coming from the further half of the faceoff circles.

Now, this might be due to his speed to get past the defenders and into the net front area, as shown on this goal:

https://twitter.com/NHL/status/1637596249296719876

Chytil's burning speed and ability to score off the rush is something Canucks fans can get excited for. He has played sheltered minutes in New York, averaging just 14:04 minutes of ice time per game over his career, playing behind centremen Mika Zibanejad and Vincent Trocheck. He will get an opportunity to play a more prominent role here in Vancouver.
<h1>Drew O'Connor</h1>
O'Connor is a 6'4", 209-lb speedy winger who excels in both facets of the game. He has been used up and down the Penguins lineup, spending time playing alongside Sidney Crosby as well as in a third-line shutdown role.

Here is how O'Connor described what his game is like when he's playing his best:

"I think I can play both sides of the puck, you know, contribute on the penalty kill and bring some offence as well. I'm at my best forechecking, winning puck battles in the offensive zone, getting to the net and doing things to make life difficult for the other team."

The 26-year-old has six goals and 10 assists for 16 points through 53 games this season. He does have a sour minus-14 rating this season, but that ties the second-best rating of the Penguins' top-nine forwards. O'Connor was also a trusted member of the Penguins penalty kill, averaging over 1:40 minutes of average PK time throughout the previous two seasons in Pittsburgh.

For a 6'4" forward, O'Connor's speed is a major asset to his game. He ranks in the 90th percentile in top speed score, clocking in at 23.1 MPH and in the 96th percentile in speed bursts between 20-22 MPH, with 136.

<img class="alignnone wp-image-138649 size-full" src="https://publish.canucksarmy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/DO-Speed.png" alt="" width="1223" height="470" />

O'Connor will bring size and speed with great forechecking ability that will pair nicely with the other forwards playing in the Canucks top nine. His ability to turn defence into offence and penalty-killing prowess will help the depth scoring of the team.

https://twitter.com/nhlpens/status/1885562730695758151
<h1>Marcus Pettersson</h1>
Pettersson is a 6'5", 174-lb defensive defenceman who can help move the puck up the ice for a blueline who desperately needs it. The left-shot blueliner adds some offence to his game, tallying three goals and 15 assists for 18 points through 47 games this season. Considering the shape of the Penguins blueline, having a minus-2 rating is the best of all defenceman.

Here is how Pettersson described what his game is like when he's playing his best:

"Simple game, really. Simple two-way game. Try to move the puck as quickly as I can out of the D-zone. I feel like when I'm at my best, I have a good first pass. I use my stick, my reach. I use my feet to skate. The simplicity of my game when it's at a high level I feel like I'm at my best."

Simple is all the Canucks are looking for on the backend. They have the offensive dynamo Quinn Hughes, as well as Filip Hronek, who is confident with the back and solid in his own zone, and that's the kind of defenceman they're acquiring in Pettersson.

The lanky defenceman is also a strong penalty killer. While his size is there at 6'5", there are concerns about his ability to win battles in front of the net. However, with bigger, stronger defenceman on the team, they can cover the net front while Pettersson surveys the puck carrier in the defensive zone with his strong range and stick skills.

From watching some clips from the Penguins, it sounds like Pettersson is a quality locker room guy who can lift the spirits in the Canucks locker room – which they desperately need after the events that have taken place this season.

https://twitter.com/ElliottWolfeJ/status/1885577932154036316

So, not only is he going to make his presence felt on the ice, but he can help bring some character into the Canucks locker room. Pettersson is the top-four defenceman they've been looking for, and considering this is the second time Jim Rutherford has traded for him, they will likely make a strong push to get him re-signed.

What are you expecting out of the newest Canucks in their debut tonight against the Red Wings, Canucks fans? Let us know in the comments below.

<strong>Sponsored by bet365</strong>
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