Canucks Reportedly Fire GM Patrik Allvin, What's Next After Finishing In Last Place in Standings?
The Vancouver Canucks reportedly relieved general manager Patrik Allvin of his duties Friday, one day after the conclusion of the 2025-26 NHL regular season.
Thomas Drance and Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic and TSN's Farhan Lalji confirmed Allvin's departure with team and league sources after Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet initially reported on his firing.
Allvin had been the Canucks' GM since 2022, and he presided over one of the worst campaigns in franchise history this season, as their 58 points were the fewest in the league by 14 points.
During Allvin's tenure, which lasted parts of five seasons, the Canucks reached the playoffs only once, falling to the Edmonton Oilers in the second round in 2024.
Vancouver has been on a steep decline since then, going from 109 points in 2024 to 90 in 2025 to 58 this season, which matches the Canucks' fewest points ever in an 82-game season.
Amid their struggles this season, Allvin and the Canucks traded their franchise player, dealing superstar defenseman Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild for Marco Rossi, Zeev Buium, Liam Öhgren and a 2026 first-round pick in December.
Hughes went on to win a gold medal with Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics, and he recorded 53 points in 48 games for a Wild team that reached the playoffs with 104 points.
Several other players have been the subject of trade rumors as well—perhaps none more so than forward Elias Pettersson.
The 27-year-old Pettersson was once considered one of the premier offensive players in the NHL, as he won the Calder Trophy as Rookie of the Year in 2019 and had seasons of 102 points and 89 points in 2023 and 2024, respectively.
Pettersson has experienced a massive drop-off in production since then, though, as the four-time All-Star finished with just 45 points in 64 games in 2024-25, and 51 points in 74 games this season.
While another team may be of the belief that it can get him back on track, trading for Pettersson would come with significant risk since he is slated to make $11.6 million per year through the 2031-32 season.
Whether or not to trade Pettersson is one of the biggest decisions the Canucks' new general manager will face when they are hired.
Allvin's replacement will also have to decide on the fate of head coach Adam Foote, who struggled in his first season in that role.
A full rebuild seems entirely possible for the Canucks, but it can be made much easier for the front office if they win the 2026 NHL draft lottery.
That would allow the Canucks to select forward Gavin McKenna, who had 51 points in 35 games in his first collegiate season at Penn State in 2025-26, and is widely expected to be the NHL's next superstar in the mold of San Jose Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini.
