The
2015–16 Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. The Canucks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conferenc ...
season
A season is a division of the year based on changes in weather, ecology, and the number of daylight hours in a given region. On Earth, seasons are the result of the axial parallelism of Earth's axial tilt, tilted orbit around the Sun. In temperat ...
was the
46th season for the
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League (NHL; , ''LNH'') is a professional ice hockey league in North America composed of 32 teams25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. The NHL is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Cana ...
franchise that was established on May 22, 1970. The season began its regular games on October 7, 2015, against the
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary. The Flames compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The ...
with a 5−1 win. On March 25, 2016, the Canucks lost 4−0 to the
St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis. The Blues compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...
and were eliminated from playoff contention. The Canucks missed the playoffs for the second time in three years.
Off-season
Off-season changes began in late June at the
2015 NHL entry draft. Due to the Canucks having three goaltenders requiring
waivers, goaltender
Eddie Lack was traded to the
Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes (colloquially known as the Canes) are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Con ...
(for a third-round pick at the draft and a seventh-round pick in
2016
2016 was designated as:
* International Year of Pulses by the sixty-eighth session of the United Nations General Assembly.
* International Year of Global Understanding (IYGU) by the International Council for Science (ICSU), the Internationa ...
)
to make room on the roster for
Jacob Markstrom. This trade was disliked as fans saw the two draft picks as very little compensation for Lack. The Canucks would draft seven players at the draft. A few days later, long-time Canucks
defenceman
Defence or defense (in American English) in ice hockey is a player position that is primarily responsible for preventing the opposing team from Goal (ice hockey), scoring. They are often referred to as defencemen, D, D-men or blueliners (the l ...
Kevin Bieksa was traded to the
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California. The Ducks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Confere ...
in exchange for a second-round pick in 2016.
On July 1,
Zack Kassian
Zack Adam Kassian (born January 24, 1991) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey Winger (ice hockey), winger and pro scout for the Edmonton Oilers. He most recently played for HC Sparta Praha in the Czech Extraliga. During his major junior ...
and a fifth-round pick in 2016 were traded to the
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens (), officially ' ( Canadian Hockey Club) and colloquially known as the Habs, are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal. The Canadiens compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic D ...
in exchange for
Brandon Prust
Brandon Raymond James Prust (born March 16, 1984) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey winger. He was selected in the third round, 70th overall, by the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. Pru ...
.
Jim Benning continued by signing various free agents, including former
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston. The Bruins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The t ...
defenceman
Matt Bartkowski and prospects
Taylor Fedun and
Richard Bachman
Richard Bachman is a pen name (as well as a fictional character) of American horror fiction author Stephen King, adopted in 1977 for the novel '' Rage''. King hid the link between himself and Bachman, until allowing for his identification in 1985 ...
,
coming from the
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California. The Sharks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Con ...
and
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton. The Oilers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...
, respectively.
The following day, Hockey Operations Staff Laurence Gilman, Lorne Henning and Eric Crawford were released by the Canucks.
On July 28, the Canucks traded centre
Nick Bonino
Nicholas Bonino (born April 20, 1988) is an American former professional ice hockey Centre (ice hockey), center. He played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Anaheim Ducks, Vancouver Canucks, Pittsburgh Penguins, Nashville P ...
, defenceman
Adam Clendening
Adam Clendening (born October 26, 1992) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman who is currently playing for Kunlun Red Star of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Clendening was raised in Wheatfield, New York. He was selected 36th ...
, as well as the second-round pick acquired in the Bieksa trade, to the
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins (colloquially known as the Pens) are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh. The Penguins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), E ...
for centre
Brandon Sutter
Brandon Sutter (born February 14, 1989) is an American-born Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Carolina Hurricanes, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Vancouver Canucks.
Playing career
J ...
and a conditional third-round pick. One week later, the Canucks resigned Sutter to a five-year contract extension, lasting until the 2020–21 NHL season.
Training camp

The Canucks held their training camp at
CN Centre
The CN Centre is a 5,971-seat multi-purpose arena, in Prince George, British Columbia, Canada. It was designed by PBK Architects, opened in 1995 and is owned by the City of Prince George. There are 14 luxury suites. In 2005, Canadian National ...
in
Prince George, British Columbia
Prince George is a city in British Columbia, Canada, situated at the confluence of the Fraser River, Fraser and Nechako River, Nechako rivers. The city itself has a population of 76,708; the metro census agglomeration has a population of 89,490 ...
, from September 18–20.
Training camp consisted of various activities, such as power-play drills, strength and conditioning exercises, and intra-squad scrimmages.
Head coach
Willie Desjardins was unable to attend training camp. Desjardins was forced to have surgery on September 8 (a mere 10 days before training camp was due to begin), due to a flare-up of a chronic hip condition. While Desjardins wanted to be in attendance, the Canucks medical staff was unable to give him clearance to head to Prince George. In his place, assistant coach
Glen Gulutzan
Glen Gulutzan (born August 12, 1971) is a Canadian ice hockey coach and former player. He is currently an assistant coach for the Edmonton Oilers.
Playing career
Gulutzan played junior hockey with the Moose Jaw Warriors, Brandon Wheat Kings and ...
(former
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas. The Stars compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The Stars ...
head coach) stepped up to run the training camp. Assistant coaches
Perry Pearn and
Doug Lidster
John Douglas Andrew Lidster (born October 18, 1960) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was an assistant coach for the Vancouver Canucks until the end of the 2016–17 season.
...
were also in attendance.
Many Canucks prospects and minor-league players were invited to training camp. Some, such as
Nicklas Jensen
Nicklas Jensen (born 6 March 1993) is a Danish ice hockey winger. He is currently playing for SC Rapperswil-Jona Lakers of the National League (NL).
After beginning his career with Danish team Herning Blue Fox at the junior and men's level, Je ...
,
Jake Virtanen
Jacob Virtanen (born August 17, 1996) is a Finnish-Canadian professional ice hockey player who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He most recently played for the Iserlohn Roosters of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). Virtanen was draft ...
and
Alexandre Grenier were fighting for roster spots on the NHL club. The preseason came to an interesting end when the Canucks placed centre
Linden Vey
Linden Vey (born July 17, 1991) is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger currently playing for Adler Mannheim of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). Vey previously played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Calgary Flames, Vanco ...
and defensemen
Alex Biega and
Frank Corrado
Francesco Corrado (born 26 March 1993) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. He was selected by the Vancouver Canucks in the fifth round, 150th overall, of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Corrado made his NHL debut for the Canucks d ...
on
waivers in favour of
defenceman
Defence or defense (in American English) in ice hockey is a player position that is primarily responsible for preventing the opposing team from Goal (ice hockey), scoring. They are often referred to as defencemen, D, D-men or blueliners (the l ...
Ben Hutton and forwards
Jake Virtanen
Jacob Virtanen (born August 17, 1996) is a Finnish-Canadian professional ice hockey player who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He most recently played for the Iserlohn Roosters of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). Virtanen was draft ...
and
Jared McCann
Jared McCann (born May 31, 1996) is a Canadian professional ice hockey Forward (ice hockey), forward currently playing for the Seattle Kraken of the National Hockey League (NHL). McCann was selected by the Vancouver Canucks in the first round ( ...
. Corrado was claimed by the
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. The Maple Leafs compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the A ...
the following day. Biega and Vey cleared waivers and were sent to the
Utica Comets
The Utica Comets are a professional ice hockey team based in Utica, New York. They are members of the North Division in the Eastern Conference of the American Hockey League (AHL) and affiliated with the National Hockey League's (NHL) New Jersey D ...
. Both were called up in December and would finish the season with the Canucks.
Standings
Schedule and results
The Canucks set a franchise record with a goal drought of 234 minutes and 52 seconds beginning after the Daniel Sedin goal at 12:00 of the first period on March 16 against Colorado and ending with the Bo Horvat goal at 6:52 of the first period on March 24 against Nashville.
Pre-season
Regular season
Detailed records
Player statistics
Skaters
Goaltenders
†Traded to Canucks mid-season. Stats reflect time with Canucks only.
‡Traded (or lost by waivers) to another team mid-season. Stats reflect time with Canucks only.
Suspensions and fines
Awards and honours
Awards
Milestones
Records
Transactions
The Canucks been involved in the following
transactions:
Trades
Free agents acquired
Free agents lost
Claimed via waivers
Lost via waivers
Player signings
Draft picks
Below are the Vancouver Canucks' selections at the
2015 NHL entry draft, to be held on June 26–27, 2015, at the
BB&T Center
Amerant Bank Arena (previously known as the National Car Rental Center, Office Depot Center, BankAtlantic Center, BB&T Center, and FLA Live Arena) is an indoor arena in Sunrise, Florida, United States. It is the home venue for the Florida Panth ...
in
Sunrise, Florida
Sunrise is a city in central-western Broward County, Florida, Broward County, Florida, United States, and is a principal city of the Miami metropolitan area. The population was 97,335 at the time of the 2020 census.
History
Early history
In ...
.
;Draft notes
* The
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. The Canucks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conferenc ...
' second-round pick went to the
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary. The Flames compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The ...
as the result of a trade on March 2, 2015, that sent
Sven Baertschi to Vancouver in exchange for this pick.
* The
Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes (colloquially known as the Canes) are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Con ...
' third-round pick went to the
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. The Canucks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conferenc ...
as the result of a trade on June 27, 2015, that sent
Eddie Lack to Carolina in exchange for a 2016 seventh-round pick and this pick.
* The
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. The Canucks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conferenc ...
' third-round pick went to the
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California. The Ducks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Confere ...
as the result of a trade on June 27, 2014, that sent
Nick Bonino
Nicholas Bonino (born April 20, 1988) is an American former professional ice hockey Centre (ice hockey), center. He played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Anaheim Ducks, Vancouver Canucks, Pittsburgh Penguins, Nashville P ...
,
Luca Sbisa
Luca Sbisa (born 30 January 1990) is an Italian-born Swiss former professional ice hockey defenceman. He is currently a development coach for the San Jose Sharks. He played for the Philadelphia Flyers, Anaheim Ducks, Vancouver Canucks, Vegas Gol ...
and a first and third-round pick in 2014 to Vancouver in exchange for
Ryan Kesler
Ryan James Kesler (born August 31, 1984) is an American former professional ice hockey center. Selected in the first round, 23rd overall, by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, Kesler spent the first 10 years of his National Hoc ...
and this pick.
* The
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City. The Rangers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team plays ...
' fifth-round pick went to the
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. The Canucks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conferenc ...
as the result of a trade on March 5, 2014, that sent
Raphael Diaz to New York in exchange for this pick.
* The
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. The Canucks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conferenc ...
' seventh-round pick went to the
Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The Wild compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Confer ...
as the result of a trade on June 28, 2014, that sent a third-round pick in
2014
The year 2014 was marked by the surge of the Western African Ebola epidemic, West African Ebola epidemic, which began in 2013, becoming the List of Ebola outbreaks, most widespread outbreak of the Ebola, Ebola virus in human history, resul ...
to Tampa Bay in exchange for a third-round pick in 2014 and this pick.
Tampa Bay previously acquired this pick as the result of a trade on June 27, 2014, that sent a second-round pick in
2014
The year 2014 was marked by the surge of the Western African Ebola epidemic, West African Ebola epidemic, which began in 2013, becoming the List of Ebola outbreaks, most widespread outbreak of the Ebola, Ebola virus in human history, resul ...
to Vancouver in exchange for
Jason Garrison
Jason John Maxwell Garrison (born November 13, 1984) is a Canadians, Canadian professional ice hockey Defenceman, defenseman currently an unrestricted free agent. He most recently played for the Chicago Wolves in the American Hockey League (AHL ...
, the rights to Jeff Costello and this pick.
* The
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California. The Sharks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Con ...
' seventh-round pick (from New York Islanders via Tampa Bay Lightning) went to the
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. The Canucks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conferenc ...
as the result of a trade on June 27, 2015, that sent
Patrick McNally
Patrick Sean McNally (born 20 December 1937) is a British businessman, former racing driver, and socialite. He was chief executive of Allsport Management, a Swiss-based company which controlled Formula One advertising and hospitality via the P ...
to San Jose in exchange for this pick.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:2015-16 Vancouver Canucks Season
Vancouver Canucks seasons
Vancouver Canucks season, 2015-16
Vancou
Vancouver Canucks, 2015-16
Vancouver Canucks, 2015-16
Canucks, 2015-16
Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. The Canucks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference. The team plays its home games at Rogers Arena ...