Canucks News & Rumors: Demko, Pettersson, Tocchet, Boeser, etc. – Hockey Writer – Vancouver Canucks

In this version of Vancouver Karnak News and Rumors, the Karnak held a playoff media supply at the Rogers Arena on Friday, with all players commenting on the disappointing campaign work that put them out of the playoffs. In famous news, Thatcher Demko expressed his desire to stay in Vancouver outside of his current contract, Elias Pettersson discussed his offseason plan, and head coach Rick Tocchet pulled open the curtains of Elias Pettersson/JT Miller Rift. Plus, Brock Boeser talked about his time in Vancouver and how long he would consider entering free agents.

Demko wants to stay in Vancouver, too, even if Rankinen signs for a long time

After they signed Lankinen for five-year extensions in February, there was a lot of speculation about the future of Demko and Canucks. Demko will become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) on July 1, 2026, and his real status as the team’s first goalkeeper has been questioned recently by Lankinen’s appearance and his 23 appearances this season. In the ideal world, Demko and Lankinen would form a solid 1A/1B tandem, similar to Boston Bruis and Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark, but it depends on Demko signing a reasonable extension, money.

Well, on Friday, the long-time Canucks goalkeeper gave fans hope that could happen, “I always wanted to be the first day of Canucks. I want to be here, obviously, here to be selected, yes, I mean, I want to finish the extension and stay here.”

Demko also talked about Lankinen's expansion and whether that would change his thinking process in negotiations: “Kevin should get every penny of this contract for everything he does. He's a good guy, a great teammate. I'm happy for Kevin. I'm happy for Kevin. I'm happy for Kevin. I've been working on this team and don't like a plus human.

Considering his disappointing season and locker room drama with Miller, Pettersson is destined to be a conversation during the media supply at the end of the season. He was asked about this, his injury and his plans to enter the offseason to ensure he returns to his second year of his $11.6 million AAV contract.

Related: Tocchet calls Pettersson, confirms Star spit with JT Miller

On the Miller Rift, Paterson said he and Miller were not best friends, but they respected each other. He also revealed that it was a slanted injury that left him out of the roster in the last 12 games of the regular season. Finally, he said he would stick around Vancouver in the first inning of the offseason and then fly back to Sweden.

“I have a wealth of resources here and go back to my home in Sweden. But yes, I want to stay here for a while. Please do some extra work before I fly to Sweden.”

If the Garners are going to return to the contender, Petterson needs to rediscover the player who has recorded 102 points in 2022-23 and make him a big sum he currently likes. Miller, who is in New York and leads offensive games and games, must be the team's unquestionably number one center. Fortunately, he seems ready to deal with this challenge during the offseason, acknowledging his struggles and saying he is determined to grow from the adversity he faces.

When I was doing my best, things happened there. I mean, I think early in the season, maybe I had a mindset, yes, I signed a contract, and now I have to do more than just do me and settle for things.

“That's what I need. My strength isn't easy for me. I have to train harder,” Paterson said in a discussion of his offseason plan. “Obviously, I was dealing with a knee injury last season, and that situation prevented me from training last summer. So, last summer, it was hard to really train 100% of the training. But, with that being said, I just wanted to look forward to and the bad thing is, it's hard to suck, we're not still. But, in saying that, I'm going to take the time to take advantage of the extra training to take advantage of the extra training next season, which is great next season.”

Of course, Tocchet was also asked about Petersson, who had a lot to say about the topic. Before discussing what Petterson needs to do in the offseason to get good again next season, he said frankly on the rift between Miller and Petterson: “I heard people on the sidelines, ‘You know they have to go for supper and fight it.’ You mean you don’t think we tried all of this stuff? “Tort said. “It's just not resolved. And I know everyone is looking for a bad guy, and I don't know if there is a bad guy in this matter. It didn't work. ”

Obviously, this is a distraction for the team, pointing to something that was cheating in the early season. Miller had to take a break during all this and, most importantly, Petterson didn’t perform best either. It became so distracted that management thought the only solution was to trade someone, and someone ended up being Miller, which Tockett admitted wasn't ideal. “…Unfortunately. Because I don't want JT Miller to join my roster? 100%. But then, it didn't work properly.”

Tocchet then had a long discussion on Pettersson and his practice habits and told reporters that he needed to change his practice style and training plan during the offseason. “You know me, I'm an honest guy, he has to practice better…that's what he's learning. Do I think he'll do these things? I do. I really do. I think I can rely on him to take his message and go for four months and make sure he has a plan. And the plan has to change, and I think he can train the same way.”

We'll see if Pettersson takes those words to heart and gets strong next season. However, whether Tockett will be his coach is another story, as it is still unresolved. He briefly talked about his future, telling everyone that there is still a process to do with general manager Patrik Allvin and President Jim Rutherford, and then anything happens when it comes to contract.

Boeser reflects on Vancouver's time and thoughts into free agents

Another big topic to enter the season-end supply is Booth's status and whether he will stick around Vancouver after July 1. The long-time winger has been productive in the Canucks career since the start of the game in 2015 and may compete with Vegas Golden Knights in its final game in the Blue and Green on April 16. He didn't tip during his conversation with the media, but did say Vancouver would always be his home, even if he ended up leaving free agents. As for what started before July 1, he said: “All I have to do is win. [to free agency] – In my decision. ”

Basically, Boeser wants to be a team that has the potential to win the Stanley Cup, or at least make the playoffs every season. If he thinks the Canucks are that team, he will stay and if not, he will go. It's as simple as that. However, there aren't many positive updates in this regard, as he reportedly turned down a five-year contract worth $8 million AAV before the deadline. What he did in an interview with Sportsnet earlier this month wasn't very optimistic, either, so in all respects we might see him wearing another jersey next season. But time will tell.

What's next for the Canucks?

The offseason will be interesting on the Canucks side as they have two very important UFAs re-signed in the aforementioned Boeser and Pius Suter, who scored a career-high 25 goals this season. They also have to sign a long-term contract with Tocchet and settle the big hole in the middle of the ice, especially if Sut leaves free agents.

As for the next big event on the calendar, it will be the 2025 NHL Draft Lottery, where the Ganaks have few chances (according to 0.5% of Tankathon) moving from the current 15th overall position.