Vancouver Canucks Miss Playoffs After Another Upsetting Season Exit

Everyone in Vancouver remembers where they were when the riots happened after the Canucks lost in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final against Boston Bruins. I was on set in UBC working on the show Psych that was with William Shatner guest starring so while the downtown was on fire everyone on set was just trying to get thru a 14 hour day.

The Vancouver Canucks’ playoff dreams came to a quiet end Wednesday night—not on the ice, but from the sidelines. With the Minnesota Wild clinching an overtime win against the San Jose Sharks, the idle Canucks were mathematically eliminated from postseason contention.

For a team that entered the 2024–25 NHL season with legitimate Stanley Cup hopes, the result is a gut punch. Their final record—36-29-13—falls short of last year’s breakout campaign, where they pushed the Edmonton Oilers to seven games in the second round. This season, however, was marred by key injuries and inconsistent performances.

Vancouver never truly had a chance to field a fully healthy roster. Star goaltender Thatcher Demko, captain Quinn Hughes, Elias Pettersson, Brock Boeser, and Dakota Joshua all missed significant time. The lack of continuity, coupled with regressive seasons from some of their core players, left the Canucks playing catch-up in the always-competitive Western Conference.

Beyond the on-ice issues, off-ice drama has cast a shadow over the locker room—especially surrounding Boeser’s future. The winger, who netted 40 goals last season, has found little support from Canucks management in public or in ongoing contract talks. General Manager Patrik Allvin’s dismissive comments at the trade deadline regarding Boeser’s market value left a sour taste.

Still, the door isn’t entirely closed. Despite using the word “unlikely” to describe his chances of staying, Boeser continues to express appreciation for the city and fans who supported him through his professional and personal journey. Whether Vancouver re-signs him or he hits the open market, the coming weeks will be pivotal for both the player and the franchise.

As the final games play out, the focus shifts from this lost season to what comes next. The Canucks have foundational talent but need answers—and perhaps a culture reset—if they hope to re-emerge as a playoff threat next year.

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Source: Sportsnet

Photo Credit: NHL