As the new NHL season approaches, the Vancouver Canucks are gearing up for several significant milestones. A total of 15 Canucks players are projected to reach notable games-played benchmarks by the 2026–27 season, with some nearing their first century of games, others eyeing 300 or even 400 games, and a few approaching the 600 and 800-game marks.
Six players are expected to hit the 100-game career milestone during 2026–27. Elias Pettersson is closest, needing just two more games to reach 100, potentially as early as the home opener against the Edmonton Oilers on October 1. Liam Öhgren could reach 100 in his third game of the season, with Max Sasson also on pace to hit 100 in five games. Vancouver’s young defensemen Zeev Buium, Tom Willander, and potentially Victor Mancini are close to 100 games as well, with specific dates projected for each milestone depending on their game participation.
Players like Marco Rossi and Paul Cotter are eyeing 300 career games, with Cotter potentially reaching this number by October 4 if he plays in Vancouver’s first four games. Rossi is a bit further behind but could achieve 300 games by late February if he remains healthy. Drew O’Connor, aiming for 400, would need to play nearly every game of the season, with a possible milestone date marked for March 25.
Vancouver veterans Elias Pettersson and Filip Hronek could reach 600 NHL games in the 2026–27 season, with Pettersson likely to attain this first, possibly as early as January 28, and Hronek around March 3. Boeser and DeBrusk are also on track to reach 700 games, with projections around March 13 and 14 respectively, based on their current game counts and assuming they stay injury-free.
Defensive stalwart Jamie Oleksiak is just 42 games away from 800 career NHL games, a milestone he’s likely to hit in late December, possibly against his former team. Meanwhile, Luke Schenn has the biggest potential milestone, needing 78 games to reach 1200, which would occur if he plays every game from the start of the season, with the target game set for March 27 against the Ducks.
Finally, Schenn and Oleksiak are among the players with the most extensive careers heading into the 2026–27 season, with Schenn aiming for his 1200th game, a rare achievement that underscores his longevity in the sport.
Fan Take: These milestones symbolize more than just numbers; they are a testament to players’ dedication, resilience, and evolving legacies in the league. For hockey fans, tracking these achievements adds an extra layer of excitement and history to the game, highlighting the importance of career longevity and consistency in a sport that prizes endurance just as much as skill.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
