My predictions for the Canucks’ 2024-25 season

As we approach the end of the year, a new season in the National Hockey League (NHL) is only getting started. 

Besides the Buffalo Sabres and New Jersey Devils who were in Europe to play two games on Oct. 4 and 5, the NHL started off the 2024-25 season on Oct. 9. Like many other teams, the Vancouver Canucks aim to have a strong start to the new season. 

Looking to continue building upon their surprise success from last season, the team battled the Calgary Flames on Oct. 9. After 20 minutes, the Canucks held a 4-1 lead on the Flames heading into the first intermission. 

For those who already know what happened, imagine my surprise on my way back from campus to see the Flames win the game in overtime with a score of 6-5. I can’t lie, I had to double check if I ended up back in late 2022 because it’s similar to how the Canucks started that season.

Having a multi-goal lead, battling against a team from Alberta, and losing the game in overtime? Check, check, and check. 

Surely, it won’t happen three times in a row again, but I also never thought I’d have to say it happened to begin with. I didn’t even think it was possible to blow multi-goal leads and lose the first four games before I saw that happen.

I haven’t even mentioned the Canucks’ top goaltender Thatcher Demko, who is recovering from an injury he suffered in the playoffs last season.

What I’m expecting from the Canucks this season is plain and simple — I think they’re going to regress from last season. If the first game is less of an anomaly and more of an indicator of what’s to come in the next six months, this is going to be a long season for both the Canucks and their fans. This will be especially true for the first few weeks if Arturs Silovs, the current goaltender, struggles early on with Demko still missing in action. 

Initially, I was thinking they’d make the playoffs again but lose in the first round. After being one win away from making it in the final four teams for the Stanley Cup, I had a feeling some drop in success would likely follow the upcoming season. However, after their season opener against the Flames, it’s concerning that the Canucks’ performance could get worse.

There’s also two player-specific predictions I want to make this season. Looking at his salary cap space, I have a feeling Brock Boeser, who is in the last year of his contract, will leave the Canucks by the end of the season. If he sees similar success this season, he may get a raise in his salary, which is about $6.65 million per season. Barring surprises, I don’t know if he’ll be able to stay past this season. 

Forward Elias Pettersson is another player I expect to see go through some adversity this season. I’m predicting he will record 80 points or less. In spite of injuries he incurred in the second half of last season, I still consider him one of the most talented players in recent Canucks history. 

I could be wrong on the Canucks struggling this season, but that’s been a feeling I’ve had for a while — which may have gotten worse after that season opener.