In the wake of a tough blow to their forward depth, the Vancouver Canucks have responded swiftly to the latest setback involving Filip Chytil, officially signing a familiar face to reinforce their roster ahead of the stretch run.
Chytil, who has been battling lingering post-concussion symptoms since early in the season, reportedly experienced a setback in his recovery process this week — prompting the Canucks to act decisively. While the team has yet to rule him out long-term, sources indicate there is now growing concern about his timeline and availability for the playoffs.
In response, Vancouver announced today that they’ve signed veteran center Sheldon Dries to a one-year deal. Dries, who spent parts of the past three seasons within the Canucks organization, is seen as a trusted depth piece who can step into the lineup with minimal adjustment.
“Sheldon knows our system, he knows our locker room, and we know we can count on him,” head coach Rick Tocchet said Friday morning. “With Filip’s situation still uncertain, we need guys who can fill roles and keep our structure intact. Dries is that guy.”
Dries, 30, was a steady contributor for the Abbotsford Canucks (AHL) this season, posting 15 goals and 22 assists in 48 games. He appeared in 63 games for Vancouver during the 2022–23 season, earning praise for his responsible two-way play, faceoff ability, and work ethic.
The Canucks, currently holding strong in the Western Conference standings, are hoping the move provides short-term stability while Chytil continues to recover. The Czech forward was acquired from the Rangers during the offseason and was expected to play a key middle-six role, but his health remains the team’s top priority.
“We’re going to support Filip every step of the way,” GM Patrik Allvin said. “But we also need to be realistic about where things stand and be prepared. Adding someone like Sheldon allows us to keep moving forward.”
The timing of the move also suggests the Canucks are keeping their foot on the gas as the playoff push heats up — and Dries, with his experience and familiarity, may be just the steadying presence they need.
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