The Vancouver Canucks kicked off their 2025–26 pre-season with a game against the Seattle Kraken, resulting in a 5–3 defeat. The match took place on September 21, following the conclusion of the Canucks’ training camp just hours earlier.
Goals for Vancouver came from Victor Mancini, Chase Stillman, and Nils Åman, who provided some offensive highlights in an otherwise challenging game. On the defensive side, goaltenders Nikita Tolopilo and Ty Young shared responsibilities. Tolopilo had a stronger performance, making 13 saves out of 14 shots faced, whereas Young had a tougher outing, stopping only six out of 10 attempts.
The game reflects the beginning of a rigorous pre-season schedule aimed at honing the skills and teamwork necessary for a competitive regular season. Despite the loss, pre-season matches serve as a vital opportunity for the team to evaluate their strategies and integrate new players into the lineup. The Canucks will look to build on this experience as they continue through their preparation period.
Overall, the pre-season debut provides insight into the areas the Canucks need to focus on, such as defensive consistency and goaltending reliability. As the team progresses through the pre-season, fans will be eager to see improvements and development in anticipation of the regular season.