Can't Keep Them All: Vancouver Canucks Forced to Make Team-Altering Decision Next Summer

While we may be entering the middle of August and the 2025-26 campaign is still weeks away, it's never too early to look ahead to the next crop of Vancouver Canucks free agents.

This summer, the Vancouver Canucks were able to lock up Brock Boeser long-term, after many thought he would be leaving the club, while Pius Suter left the organization, signing a two-year contract with the St. Louis Blues.

In 2026, the Vancouver Canucks could have upwards of five notable players who are eligible to hit the open market and depending on their respective performances during the upcoming campaign, Patrik Allvin could have a very difficult decision to make.

With the NHL's salary cap expected to rise to $104 million US ahead of the 2026-27 campaign, money shouldn't be an issue for Patrik Allvin and the Vancouver Canucks, but what could be is not enough roster spots to keep everyone around.

Down in the AHL, the Canucks have a number of players ready to make the jump to the National Hockey League, but with potentially only one spot available on this year's opening night roster some of those guys will have to wait until 2026 for their opportunity.

However, that opportunity in 2026-27 will depend on what the Vancouver Canucks do with those who are set to become UFA's on Canada Day next year and if Patrik Allvin makes any significant decisions over the next 12-14 months.

On July 1st next year, Linus Karlsson, Evander Kane, Derek Forbort, Kiefer Sherwood and Teddy Blueger are eligible to become unrestricted free agents and the odds of all of being re-sign are extremely slim, however as mentioned, a return to the Canucks for any of these players will depend on how they play this season.

Linus Karlsson and Kiefer Sherwood are two players that the club would more than likely want to keep around beyond the 2025-26 campaign, but that's just pure speculation based on what they have the ability of doing in the team's lineup.

Evander Kane, who Allvin acquired from the Edmonton Oilers in late June, could be out of their price range next summer if he has another 20+ goal campaign in 2025-26, which would make him one of the top free agents on the open market next summer.

As for Derek Forbort and Teddy Blueger, the latter of whom has been in trade rumors for the majority of the summer, their return to Vancouver after the 2025-26 season seems pretty unlikely given that they both occupy spots on the roster that could easily be taken by a younger and cheaper option.

With less than 11 months to go until the NHL's free agent market opens for 2026 UFAs, it's going to be interesting to see what ends up happening with those five members of the Vancouver Canucks and if any of them do stick around beyond this year.

Source: Daily Hive
5 Vancouver Canucks players are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents in 2026