The Canucks are in Seattle Sunday evening for the initial preseason game of 2025. (roster at bottom) Start time is slated for a few minutes after 5 pm.
As is standard operating procedure in these situations, particularly early in the preseason, the home team is loaded with regulars, the road team not so much.
While the Kraken will feature the likes of Matty Beniers, Jaden Schwartz, Jordan Eberle, Adam Larsson and Vince Dunn, Vancouver will feature prospects, some of them playing in their first ever NHL exhibition game.
Of particular interest will be lanky Swedish defenceman turned college hockey player Tom Willander, who wrapped up his second season at Boston University this past spring. Vancouver’s 11th-overall pick in 2023 stands 6-foot-1 and weighs in at 180-pounds.
Also, this summer’s 1st-round NHL Draft pick of the Canucks, center Braedon Cootes, he of the local Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL, will see his first action. He’s slated to return to the Western League in a couple of weeks, but who knows, with the shortage of depth up Vancouver’s middle, should the 15th-overall pick impress, maybe he’ll get nine regular season games before being returned.
“Petey-D”, the other Elias Pettersson, will be fun to watch, as will forward Jonathan Lekkerimaki (24 NHL games), Vancouver’s first rounder from 2022.
As for regulars; centers Filip Chytil and Teddy Blueger, plus winger Kiefer Sherwood will all dress.
The game can be heard on AM-650.
Earlier Canucks:
— Canucks Coach Malhotra Presents Options
