Canucks Week Ahead: Schedule & Storylines – Johnson’s Future, Avoiding 50 Losses, Awards, Milestones & More – The Hockey Writers – Vancouver Canucks

As the 2025-26 NHL regular season winds down, the Vancouver Canucks find themselves in a position no team wants to be in come mid-April: mathematically eliminated from the postseason. However, for a knowledgeable fan base that understands the nuances of the game, these final few days are about much more than just the standings.

Recent Form and Avoiding the 50-Loss Milestone

The Canucks are coming off a productive weekend in California. They managed to snap a frustrating four-game skid with a shootout victory over the San Jose Sharks, effectively pushing their division rivals to the brink of elimination. They followed that up with a gritty win against the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday night, thanks to a last-second goal by Marco Rossi.

Related: 4 Takeaways From Canucks’ Gritty 4-3 OT Victory Over the Ducks

Beyond simply playing for pride, these victories are crucial for the record books. With the team currently sitting on 48 losses, securing points in this final stretch is a matter of avoiding the ignominy of a 50-loss season—a statistical threshold that often triggers significant front-office overhauls. While the season has been a struggle, finishing with a string of wins provides a much-needed morale boost for a locker room looking to avoid historic lows.

Ryan Johnson’s Future in the Front Office

Off the ice, the most significant story involves assistant general manager Ryan Johnson. Reports have surfaced that the Canucks organization denied a request from the Nashville Predators to interview Johnson for their vacant general manager (GM) position. Johnson, who also serves as the GM for the American Hockey League’s Abbotsford Canucks, is highly regarded across the league for his player development track record.

By blocking the interview, the Canucks’ leadership is sending a clear signal that they view Johnson as an integral part of their long-term restructuring. While it keeps a talented mind in the building, it also adds a layer of internal pressure to ensure his path to a promotion within Vancouver is clearly defined, lest they risk losing him when his contract eventually allows for more mobility.

Milestones and League Recognition

Despite the team’s record, several individuals are garnering well-deserved attention:

• Young Blood: The youth movement is showing signs of life, with Curtis Douglas netting his first NHL goal and Kirill Kudryavtsev recording his first NHL point on Sunday against the Ducks.
• Award Nominations: Brock Boeser has been named the team’s nominee for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, recognizing his leadership and humanitarian contributions. Kevin Lankinen is the nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, honouring his perseverance and dedication to the game this season.
• Climbing the Ranks: Boeser has officially surpassed Pavel Bure on the franchise’s all-time points list, a testament to his longevity and consistent production in a Canucks sweater.

Key Matchups on the Horizon

The upcoming seven days feature the final two games of the regular season. On Tuesday, the Canucks return home to Rogers Arena to face a Los Angeles Kings squad that is still fighting for every possible point to secure a more favourable wildcard or divisional seed.

The season concludes on Thursday night in Edmonton. Facing the Oilers is never an easy task, especially in their building. With Edmonton jockeying for position at the top of the division, the Canucks will have one last chance to play the role of the ultimate underdog, potentially denying the Oilers their first title since 1987.

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