Vancouver Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin recently appeared on the 100% Canucks Podcast with hosts John Shannon and Landon Ferraro. During the interview, he shared his candid thoughts on the team’s offseason approach, their performance last season, and what lies ahead for key players and the organization as a whole as they look toward the 2024–25 NHL season.
Navigating a Challenging Free Agency Market
Allvin began the conversation by reflecting on the unpredictability of the current free agency landscape. This year, many unrestricted free agents opted to re-sign with their current teams before the July 1 opening, which, combined with a growing trend of players avoiding Canadian teams, created a unique set of challenges.
“Free agency is always a bit of a gamble,” Allvin remarked. “A lot of UFAs decided to stay put and didn’t even hit the open market. Plus, there’s the added challenge that some players just don’t have Canada high on their list of preferred destinations.”
Despite these complications, Allvin expressed satisfaction with the Canucks’ ability to retain three vital players: goaltender Thatcher Demko, and forwards Conor Garland and Brock Boeser. Locking in these core contributors was a significant step for the team’s present and future success.
“I’m really happy with how things played out,” Allvin said. “Bringing back Demko, Garland, and Boeser—especially Boeser, who was the last of the three to sign—gives us stability and leadership. These are guys who help define our culture, both in the locker room and in the community. They’re a huge part of what we’re building and how Adam Foote wants this team to play moving forward.”
On Boeser’s situation in particular, Allvin recognized the player’s right to test free agency, but emphasized that lines of communication remained open throughout the process.
“He earned the right to explore free agency and I respect that,” Allvin said. “It probably wasn’t an easy decision for him, but we were always in contact. We never closed the door. Coach Foote even had conversations with him about some adjustments in our system. Ultimately, we reached a deal that worked well for both sides.”
Filip Chytil and the Importance of Centre Depth
One major offseason storyline has been Vancouver’s search for stability at center, especially following the blockbuster trade that sent J.T. Miller to the New Jersey Devils. In that context, Allvin emphasized that Filip Chytil is expected to play a crucial role moving forward.
“Building around strong centers is key,” Allvin explained. “Filip Chytil is still a young player. He missed some time due to injuries, but he brings a lot to the table. He’s had a 60-point season, which puts him on par with many second-line centers in the league.”
Allvin went on to suggest that if Chytil can play at his potential and the team adds the right pieces, the Canucks could be among the deepest teams down the middle in the NHL.
“If Chytil ends up on our third line, and we find someone to slot in as a solid second-line center, we could be looking at one of the strongest center lineups in the league,” he said.
Evander Kane Brings Toughness and Experience
Another significant addition this offseason was forward Evander Kane, whose style of play Allvin praised highly. He referred to Kane as a bit of a rarity in today’s NHL—a true power forward who plays a gritty, physical game while still producing offensively.
“Evander is what I’d call a unicorn in the league right now,” Allvin said. “Not many players bring that old-school power forward mentality while still being able to contribute at a high level. He missed an entire season but came back strong in the playoffs. He’s healthy now, and he brings that edge every team wants—he can score, drive play, and make life difficult for opponents.”
Reflecting on Last Season’s Shortcomings
The Canucks narrowly missed the playoffs last season, and Allvin pointed to a mix of injuries and inconsistency as key reasons for their struggles. While acknowledging those challenges, he also stressed that the team doesn’t believe in using adversity as an excuse.
“Seasons are rarely smooth from start to finish,” he said. “It’s a process, and last year we hit some bumps. We had some great stretches—going 7-1-1 before the break, beating Toronto at home, sitting second in our division—but then Demko and Quinn Hughes got hurt, and we lost our rhythm.”
He added that the team struggled to find consistent form in the wake of those injuries and was unable to go on a sustained run in the critical final stretch of the season.
### What’s Next for Arturs Silovs?
With Demko and Kevin Lankinen both under contract for the next three seasons, questions have surfaced about where standout goaltender Arturs Silovs fits into the team’s future plans. Allvin was quick to recognize Silovs’ talent and accomplishments.
“Arty had an incredible run in the AHL playoffs and was named MVP,” Allvin noted. “He’s shown he can perform on big stages, like he did with Latvia internationally. He’s still very young, and we’re evaluating our options. Over the next few weeks, we’ll decide whether to bring all three goalies into camp or make a move before then.”
### Belief in the Current Forward Group
As the conversation wrapped up, Allvin shared his confidence in the Canucks’ current forward group, particularly the balance between skill and grit across all four lines.
“Our bottom six is a lot tougher to play against now,” he said. “We’ve got guys who can kill penalties, play physical, and still chip in offensively. Linus Karlsson, who led the AHL playoffs in scoring, will be competing hard for an NHL spot. Up top, we’ve got speed and creativity. The combination of size, skill, and toughness throughout our lineup is something we’re really excited about.”
While Allvin admitted there is still work to be done before the season starts, he made it clear that the organization believes it is headed in the right direction.
“The foundation is there,” he concluded. “We’re building a team with identity, depth, and character. The goal now is to take that next step.
