The Canucks enter 2026-27 with a crease problem that could shape the whole season. Nikita Tolopilo is no longer just depth; he is a real option, and that makes him one of the most important names in camp.
Vancouver has too many goalies for too few jobs. Thatcher Demko, Kevin Lankinen, and Tolopilo all have a case, but only two can realistically fit into a stable plan.
Tolopilo’s 2025-26 Snapshot
Last season was uneven, but it also proved Tolopilo belongs in the conversation. He moved between the NHL and AHL, took his share of hard nights, and still showed enough poise to stay relevant.
| Level | Games | Goals-Against Average | Save Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| AHL | 19 | 3.07 | .897 |
| NHL | 21 | 3.61 | .881 |
Those numbers do not scream breakout. They do, however, explain why Vancouver still has a decision to make.
- He handled both leagues without losing his place in the pipeline.
- He had enough strong moments to keep trade interest alive.
- He remained usable at the NHL level, which matters in a thin goalie market.
The Starts That Changed the Conversation
His best stretch came late in January, when the game slowed down for him and the results improved. He made three straight starts and allowed only four goals across that run, even though the team in front of him offered little help.
One outing should have been his first shutout. He stopped 32 shots in a 2-0 win, but a brief stint in concussion protocol forced a goalie change, and the shutout disappeared from his stat line.
He followed that with a sharp performance against Toronto on January 31, turning aside 39 shots in a shootout loss and denying Auston Matthews in overtime on a penalty shot. That kind of moment can stick with coaches and scouts.
The back half of the season was rougher. After another AHL spell, he returned for good and played 11 more NHL games, starting eight. His final win came on April 12 against Anaheim, when he stopped 24 of 27 shots and finished on a positive note.
What Vancouver Can Actually Do
The Canucks do not have many clean answers. Tolopilo gives the front office flexibility, but that flexibility can turn into a trade or a crowded roster fast.
- Trade Tolopilo: likely the neatest outcome if Vancouver wants to clear the logjam.
- Keep all three goalies: workable on paper, awkward in practice, and not ideal for development.
- Move a veteran instead: less likely, but it would make the most sense if the team wants to reset the hierarchy.
The age gap matters too. Demko and Lankinen are established veterans, while Tolopilo fits better with a longer-term build. That gives him a different kind of value than the other two.
Camp Expectations and 2026-27 Outlook
Tolopilo’s job is simple to describe and hard to finish: force the team to choose. A strong camp could raise his trade value or push Vancouver toward a veteran move.
If he stays with the Canucks, a rotation with roughly 30 to 35 starts feels reasonable. If he is traded, that workload could jump into the 40-plus range depending on the landing spot.
One thing looks clear: he should not be heading back to the AHL unless something changes dramatically. Vancouver will either keep him on the NHL roster or use him as trade bait.
For Tolopilo, September is less about surviving camp and more about changing the math in the crease.
He is not the safest goalie on the roster, but he may be the one whose timeline fits Vancouver best. That alone makes him a name to watch closely.