Derek Forbort’s first year with the Vancouver Canucks might have been derailed by injuries and bad luck, but the organization clearly still values what he brings when healthy — particularly on the defensive side of the puck.
Despite a rocky start that included a knee injury sidelining him early in the season and a season-ending orbital bone fracture from a cheap shot by Yakov Trenin, Forbort made a big enough impression to earn a new deal. His one-year, $2 million extension — up from $1.5 million last year — represents a meaningful vote of confidence from GM Patrik Allvin.
Defensive Heatmaps Tell the Story
According to HockeyViz, Forbort’s heatmaps show significant suppression of shots in the high-danger areas directly in front of Vancouver’s net — both at even strength and on the penalty kill. This visually reinforces what the numbers already indicate: he’s a stabilizing, stay-at-home presence the Canucks leaned on defensively.
The Road Ahead
The Canucks didn’t meet expectations last season, missing the playoffs after Forbort joined with hopes of competing for a Cup. But with a new deal in place, an improved cap situation, and (hopefully) better health, Forbort will get another chance to be a key part of a playoff-contending blue line in 2025–26.
He may not be flashy, but when healthy, Derek Forbort is a quietly effective piece of Vancouver’s defensive puzzle — and the team’s investment suggests they’re counting on him to be just that next season.
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