3 biggest questions facing Vancouver Canucks ahead of 2024 training camp

The Vancouver Canucks' training camp is right around the corner. With preseason action set to begin around the league on Sept. 21, and the Canucks' preseason set to begin on Sept. 25, anticipation surrounding the 2024-25 season is palpable. Last year, the Vancouver Canucks finished the regular season with the best record in the Pacific Division, winning 50 of their 82 games.

In the postseason, the team faced tough competition in the first round against the Nashville Predators, who they defeated in a six-game series. While they entered the second round with momentum on their side, the team then fell to the eventual conference champs in the Edmonton Oilers in seven games.

Although the team came up short of its ultimate goal, the improvement shown by Rick Tocchet's squad was impressive. Given that, it's no surprise fans around the league are curious to see how things play out for the franchise in the season ahead.

Three biggest questions facing the Vancouver Canucks ahead of training camp

#1: Will Thatcher Demko be ready for the regular season?

When Thatcher Demko is healthy, he has proven to be one of the best netminders in the league. Despite that, year after year, Demko has dealt with injuries that have limited his time in the net. After playing just 32 games during the 2022-23 season due to a groin injury, Demko was on fire last year.

Over 51 games, he positioned himself as a Vezina finalist. However, late in the season, a lower-body injury forced him to the bench, resulting in the talented goalie missing significant time. While Vancouver Canucks GM Patrik Allvin has said the team hopes he's ready for the start of the year, only time will tell.

#2: Jonathan Lekkerimaki

Selected 15th overall in the 2022 draft, 20-year-old prospect Jonathan Lekkerimaki has continued to impress abroad. Over 46 games with the Swedish Hockey League last season, the winger logged 31 points, while also finishing a 12-game stint with Sweden's U20 team with 15 points.

This year, the expectation is he will primarily play for the Abbotsford Canucks in the AHL, however, he could also likely wind up making a few scattered appearances for the Vancouver Canucks throughout the season depending on how things play out. The big question with Lekkerimaki is how many?

#3: Elias Pettersson's health

Late last season, Elias Pettersson struggled to maintain his play. After a hot start to the year, Pettersson wound up struggling to close out the year strong. As it turns out, he was dealing with tendonitis in his knee, raising questions about whether or not he will face similar problems this season.

At just 25 years old, the news of tendonitis certainly isn't good, however, as Pettersson showed early last season, where he logged 64 points through the first 49 games, he's capable of elite play when he's healthy.