Are the Canucks really as bad as people think?

Daily Faceoff questioned whether the Vancouver Canucks are as bad as anticipated following their surprising 6-5 overtime road victory over the Edmonton Oilers on opening night of the 2026-27 NHL season. Forwards Paul Cotter and Max Sasson, alongside defenseman Filip Hronek, contributed multi-point performances to secure the win under head coach Manny Malhotra, despite widespread preseason predictions that Vancouver would finish dead last in the league.

On Daily Faceoff LIVE, hosts Tyler Yaremchuk and Carter Hutton debated whether the victory changed expectations. Hutton stated there remains around a 30 percent chance Vancouver finishes last, expressing concern over goaltender Kevin Lankinen carrying the load while Thatcher Demko is out, though he noted younger players under Malhotra could help the team progress.