The Canucks needed goaltending depth because Thatcher Demko is still not 100 percent recovered from the injury that he suffered in the playoffs. It's unclear whether or not Demko will be ready for the start of the season, so Arturs Silovs and Lankinen could start the year as their goaltending duo. Most recently, Lankinen was with the Predators, where he was 11-6-0 with a 2.82 GAA and .908 SV% in 24 games in 2024.

Vancouver announced Tuesday that 28-year-old Dakota Joshua had been diagnosed with testicular cancer and successfully had a tumour removed but would not be ready for the start of training camp. The fifth-year winger is coming off his best season in 2023-24, with 18 goals, 32 points, 60 PIMs, 84 SOG and a +19 plus/minus through 63 games played.

Canucks' fans received some excellent news on Tuesday as their star goaltender Thatcher Demko returned to the ice and is skating and working out with indications of being healthy for training camp. Demko was originally expected to miss the beginning of training camp as his offseason recovery was taking longer than expected but that news has been flipped with his return Tuesday. The 28-year-old was key in Vancouver's success last season, with his 35-14-2 record, 2.45 GAA, .918 SV% and 5 shutouts.

According to Latvian General Manager Rudolfs Kalvitis, Arturs Silovs has knee inflammation from overuse during last season and overtraining during the offseason but is expected to be ready to go for Vancouver's training camp. The 23-year-old netminder signed a two-year, $1.7 million contract in the offseason after posting 5-5-0 record in last year's playoffs to go along with his 2.91 GAA and .898 SV% after only appearing in four regular season games in the regular season.

Silovs was Vancouver's playoff saviour in 2023-24 after both of their top two goalies went down and he has earned himself a two-year contract extension worth $1.7 million ($850,000 AAV). The 23-year-old Latvian also appeared in four games during the regular season for Vancouver, going 3-0-1 with a 2.47 GAA and .881 SV%. He is expected to be the Canucks' back up goaltender for the 2024-25 campaign.

Abbotsford (AHL) gained a new forward on Tuesday after Vancouver signed Nathan Smith to a one-year, two-way deal. The 25-year-old spent the entire 2023-24 in the AHL with Tucson, picking up 12 goals and 31 points but has four points (2G/2A) and 14 career NHL games to his name.

After three seasons as Vegas' third goalie, Jiri Patera has signed a two-year, two-way contract with Vancouver. The 25-year-old netminder appeared in six games in 2023-24 with the Golden Knights, posting a 1-3-1 record, 3.98 GAA and .893 SV%.

Vancouver added to its defensive depth as it signed journeyman defenseman Derek Forbort to a one-year, $1,500,000 contract. The 32-year-old found himself in and out of Boston's lineup in 2023-24 but had four assists, 17 PIMs and a +8 plus/minus in 35 games played.

Vancouver added to its offensive depth on Monday as it signed Kiefer Sherwood to a two-year deal worth $3.0 million ($1.5M AAV). The 29-year-old is coming off his best statistical season in the NHL as he finished 2023-24 with 10 goals, 27 points, 41 PIMs and a +17 plus/minus.

Elias Petterson may have found his winger of the future as Vancouver signed left-winger Jake DeBrusk to a seven-year deal worth $38.5 million ($5.5M AAV). The 27-year-old had spent his first seven seasons in Boston and had 19 goals and 40 points in 80 games played in 2023-24.

Woo has been a staple of the Abbotsford Canucks (AHL) for the last four seasons and will remain in Vancouver's organization after signing a one-year, two-way contract on Monday. The 23-year-old was the Canucks 2018 2nd-round pick (37th overall) and had seven goals and 31 points in 62 games with Abbotsford last season.

Myers finished a five-year contract that carried a $6.0M AAV cap-hit and signs a three-year extension at half the cap-hit. In 2023-24, Myers had his highest point total (29) since 2019 and had 100-plus blocked shots and hits for then second time in his 15-year career. Next season he should continue to be a top-4 option and among the team-leaders in PK/TOI.

Joshua just finished a two-year deal with the Canucks and re-ups for four years at $3.25M AAV. Joshua is coming off of a career-best 18 goals and 32 points in 63 games. He should continue to operate as a middle-6 winger at 5v5 and an important part of the Canucks' penalty kill next season.

Blueger appeared in 68 games for the Canucks in 2023-24, tying his career-best with 28 points (6G / 22A). He found chemistry on the third line with Conor Garland and Dakota Joshua, so expect him to fill a similar bottom-6 role and an important penalty killer next season.

Karlsson had an extremely successful 2023-24 with the Abbotsford Canucks (AHL) picking up 23 goals and 60 points in 60 games played and has signed a one-year, two-way contract to remain with Vancouver. The 24-year-old made his NHL debut last season, appearing in four games but failing to pick up a point.

McWard was originally signed by Vancouver out of Ohio State (NCAA) in 2022-23 and has signed a one-year, two-way contract after a successful first season with Abbotsford (AHL). The 23-year-old defensemen has appeared in six NHL games across his two seasons with Vancouver, picking up one goal and no assists. In 57 games with Abbotsford in 2023-24, he had four goals and 17 points.

Chytil was a healthy scratch for New York's Game 4 loss but will return to the lineup on Thursday for Game 5 and is immediately expected to take a spot on the Rangers' top line. The 24-year-old is expected to replace Blake Wheeler who will get the night off after returning from a long injury last game. Chytil has been held pointless in four playoff games played so far, with five SOG and two PIMs.

Chytil has appeared in one game (May 9th vs. CAR) since November 2nd, 2023 due to concussion problems and an illness but was a full participant in warmups ahead of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final on Wednesday vs. Florida and will return. The 24-year-old only appeared in 10 games during the regular season but had six assists, 22 SOG and four PIMs. He will line up on New York's third line.