As the Vancouver Canucks gear up for the 2025–26 NHL season, all eyes are on the team’s revamped defensive core — and one player expected to be a cornerstone is Swedish blueliner Marcus Pettersson. Known for his steady, poised play, Pettersson will enter his first full season with the Canucks looking to make a significant impact both at even strength and as a key piece of the penalty-killing unit.
This feature is part of The Hockey News – Vancouver Canucks player preview series, where we take an in-depth look at the individuals set to shape the team’s upcoming campaign. For Pettersson, the 2025–26 season marks a fresh chapter in his career, following a midseason move last year that saw him adapt quickly to his new surroundings.
A Midseason Arrival That Paid Off Quickly
Pettersson’s path to Vancouver began midway through the 2024–25 season when the Canucks struck a deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins to bring the 29-year-old defender to the West Coast. It didn’t take long for him to make his presence felt. Across 31 games in a Canucks sweater, he contributed 11 points while logging an impressive 21:09 of average ice time per night.
Those numbers alone don’t tell the whole story. Pettersson brought a calm, reliable presence to Vancouver’s back end, often drawing the assignment of shutting down opposing top lines. His reach, gap control, and ability to transition the puck out of danger allowed the Canucks to stabilize defensively during the stretch run.
A Long-Term Commitment
The Canucks clearly liked what they saw from Pettersson — and they wasted no time proving it. Less than a week after acquiring him, the team locked him up with a six-year contract extension worth $33 million. The move signaled management’s belief that Pettersson is more than just a short-term fix; he’s viewed as a long-term pillar of the team’s defensive structure.
For Pettersson, the extension offers security and the chance to be part of Vancouver’s core during what the organization hopes will be a competitive window. For the Canucks, it means stability on the blue line, with a player who can eat heavy minutes in all situations.
Role in 2025–26
Heading into this season, Pettersson is expected to play a major role at even strength, likely slotting into the top-four rotation. His strong defensive instincts make him an ideal fit alongside either an offensively minded partner or another shutdown defender, depending on the matchup.
On special teams, Pettersson will be counted on as one of the anchors of Vancouver’s penalty kill. His stick positioning, anticipation, and willingness to block shots are key assets in limiting high-danger chances.
Looking Ahead
With a full training camp and preseason to integrate fully into the team’s systems, Pettersson should only become more comfortable in Vancouver’s setup. His combination of size, experience, and hockey IQ gives the Canucks a dependable presence in high-pressure situations.
If he maintains his form from the latter half of last season, Pettersson could be one of the quiet driving forces behind Vancouver’s defensive success in 2025–26. And for a team with playoff ambitions, having a player like him on the back end could make all the difference when the games start to matter most.