Jamie Oleksiak arrives in Vancouver with a clear job description: bring size, bring edge, and set the tone.
The Canucks brought in the 6-foot-7, 252-pound defenseman during the 2026 offseason on a two-year deal worth an AAV of $5 million, and the fit is easy to see. Oleksiak is expected to add some real physical presence to the blue line, but Vancouver is also counting on something less tangible - the steadying effect of a player who has already logged more than 750 regular-season games.
He’s not waiting for camp to start before getting to work, either. Oleksiak is already skating in Vancouver with his new teammates, using these informal sessions to get back into game shape and start building chemistry. He’s also taking in the city while he settles in.
"It's exciting, said Oleksiak. "New situation, getting to know the guys.
We got a good group here, eager. Obviously, a lot of young guys.
So, just getting to know the guys. Getting to know the area.
Love exploring the city. Yeah, I'm just overall excited and ready to get this going."
The 2026-27 season will be Oleksiak’s 15th in the NHL and his sixth in the Pacific Division, after five seasons with the Seattle Kraken. That kind of mileage matters on a team leaning on younger players, and Oleksiak says his approach is simple: show up prepared and let the example do the talking.
"Every guy's different. Some guys are more vocal than others.
I just try to come into the rink every day and do what I can on the ice and in the gym to be prepared and be consistent. Hopefully guys pick up on that.
I just pride myself on the day-to-day preparations. I think that's a huge thing about being a pro.
I'm going to keep doing that, and hopefully the group responds to that."
That mindset lines up with what Vancouver needs as it heads into a season that could be difficult in the standings. Around the league, the Canucks are being projected to finish near the bottom, but Oleksiak is focused on keeping the day-to-day energy steady and positive.
"I think taking it day by day. The whole league, every team starts off with the same record.
So, just coming in, being consistent, I think that's a big thing. As a pro, you just want to be consistent day in, day out, and have fun.
I think everyone does better when they're enjoying what they're doing. So, making sure you come to the rink with a good attitude, I think it'll raise the whole group up.
So we just have to keep that mentality through the ups and downs."
One area the Canucks are trying to address is a lack of pushback when teammates were targeted last season. Vancouver often didn’t answer questionable hits with much resistance, and Oleksiak understands why that matters inside a room.
"I'm not too familiar with what the situation was last year, but just in general, for sure. You want to make sure that the team's a close-knit group.
We're going to make sure that guys aren't taken advantage of and whatnot. I think it always helps with team bonding when you know a guy's got your back.
You're going to play hard for them, and they're going to play hard for you. I think it's just a mutually beneficial situation.
I think it's something that every team should be keen on."
Oleksiak is projected to be part of Vancouver’s top four on defense, and his value goes beyond minutes and matchups. For a club in rebuild mode, he brings the kind of presence that can help shape the room as much as the lineup.
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