Overview
- The Canucks, which opened camp in Penticton on Thursday, conducted intense, instruction‑heavy practices that featured coaches joining end‑of‑session bag skates to show the work they expect from players.
- General manager Ryan Johnson confirmed veteran goalie Thatcher Demko will not fully participate in camp and is limited to light, individual on‑ice work, leaving the team short on a settled starter.
- Nikita Tolopilo has a real chance to earn the backup job but requires waivers to be sent to the AHL, a factor that complicates Vancouver’s decision because carrying three goalies or risking Tolopilo on waivers are both imperfect options.
- Day 1 produced visible line combos and defensive pairs and featured heavy contact that broke a pane of glass and left Jamie Oleksiak with a cut above his lip, but Malhotra warned those groupings are only provisional.
- A 57‑player roster and a four‑game preseason squeeze evaluation time, creating genuine openings for young players to win NHL roles and making the Sept. 19 preseason and Sept. 29 regular‑season opener pivotal next steps for final decisions.