September 22, 2026 • 9:03 PM EDT
Updated 1 hours ago
After suffering a loss on Saturday, the Vancouver Canucks get a second shot at the pre-season with Tuesday’s matchup against the Calgary Flames at 6:00 pm Pacific. This is more than another tune-up; a handful of Canucks have a lot riding on what they show in Calgary. Roster spots are on the line, and that means every shift is magnified, especially for those sitting on the edge of the NHL lineup bubble or eager to prove they can handle more responsibility.
I’m zeroing in on five Canucks you’ll want to watch in this second pre-season tilt. The club has a mix of veterans looking for defined roles, emerging names who could become everyday contributors, and big-bodied prospects whose every move will be scrutinised. If you’re eyeing Vancouver futures, prop bets, or just want to know who to watch, these players matter for what’s ahead. According to Yahoo Sports, here are five Canucks facing major pre-season proving grounds.
Arshdeep Bains lands right at the center of roster intrigue. At 25, he feels like a textbook AHL-NHL tweener, but the catch is he’d need to clear waivers to return to the AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks. The projection has him lining up with Aatu Räty and Matt Stienburg, and if Bains makes a splash on Tuesday, he’ll complicate the Canucks’ roster choices. The performance matters, especially with waivers looming—one big outing could be the difference between cracking the opening night lineup or being scooped by another team.
Tuesday is also a spotlight for Kevin Lankinen. He gets his first start of the pre-season and, while his training camp didn’t quiet every critic, the real test is how he holds up versus an actual NHL roster. With another season possibly in his hands due to Thatcher Demko’s uncertain status, Lankinen’s play in Calgary sets the tone for his role and, frankly, Vancouver’s comfort level in net to open the year.
The blue line battle features Victor Mancini, who’s fighting for the seventh defender spot after a rough outing Saturday. Mancini is 24, on the edge of the NHL, and expected to log healthy minutes. If he looks steady and responsible against the Flames’ attack, he could tip the scale his way, especially in a shallow bottom pairing competition.
It’s a make-it-or-break-it game for Aatu Räty as well. Thanks to new CBA rules, Tuesday is his last pre-season game. At just 23 and ticketed for the Canucks’ fourth-line center to start the campaign, Räty has to show he can play both ends of the ice and make an instant impact—because, after Tuesday, he won’t have another pre-season stage to show the staff what makes him NHL ready.
Brooks Rogowski represents Vancouver’s future and the club’s search for physical presence. He’s a massive 6’7″, 235-pound forward, just drafted in the second round. After a solid camp, this is his first pre-season crack at NHL competition. Given his size and the Canucks’ need for some bite, a strong showing puts him squarely on the watch list—not just for the coaching staff but for anyone with an eye for upside rookie bets.
Key developments for Canucks heading into Game 2
- Arshdeep Bains could be claimed by another team if he’s waived for AHL assignment, upping the stakes for his performance.
- Kevin Lankinen starts after an uneven camp and faces scrutiny as the likely Game 1 starter if Demko isn’t available.
- Victor Mancini’s spot on the roster is in question after struggles against Seattle. Tuesday’s ice time is a real audition.
- Aatu Räty’s pre-season ends after Tuesday due to CBA limits, compressing his chance to impress coaches.
- Brooks Rogowski makes his pre-season debut after a solid camp, with eyes on his physical impact.
Who should bettors and fans focus on?
- Arshdeep Bains’ production and usage, as he’s waiver-eligible and on a crowded roster bubble.
- Kevin Lankinen’s save percentage and poise, especially early in the game.
- Victor Mancini’s reliability in his own zone and error minimisation under pressure.
- Aatu Räty’s performance at both ends in his final pre-season outing.
- Brooks Rogowski’s minutes and physicality against NHL-level opponents.
- Any injury updates, especially in goal, could swing Vancouver’s approach to NHL opening night.
- Roster cuts and waiver activity in the days after this game. Watch for quick moves if someone impresses or disappoints.
More coverage: latest NHL news, NHL betting hub and today’s NHL picks.
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