Vancouver Canucks Officially Announce Final Cuts Ahead of Opening Night Roster Submission Deadline

Vancouver Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin surprised many on Sunday when he decided not to use the NHL's waiver wire to assign a player or two to the American Hockey League, meaning that Arshdeep Bains will be on the team's opening night roster.

While for the most part, Vancouver's forward group has been sorted out, injury issues were complicating things for Patrik Allvin and his management staff on the blue line, as the club were awaiting the status of Derek Forbort, along with Pierre-Olivier Joseph, before making their final roster decisions.

Earlier today, the Vancouver Canucks announced on social media that defenseman Victor Mancini and Tom Willander have been cut from their roster and have been assigned to the Abbotsford Canucks of the American Hockey League.

Sunday's roster moves come one day after the club assigned goaltender Nikita Tolopilo and forward Nils Aman, the latter of whom was on waivers on Friday, to the AHL, as they look to play big roles in Abbotsford's quest for back-to-back Calder Cup championships.

Cutting Victor Mancini and Tom Willander likely means that Derek Forbort & Pierre-Olivier Joseph are healthy enough to begin the 2025-26 season, with 21-year-old Elias Pettersson - the blueliner - also making the team's opening night roster this year.

Vancouver's official opening night roster will likely be announced tomorrow afternoon, as the club continues to gear up for Game 1 of 82, which is set for Thursday against Calgary.