Here’s a bold statement: Jett Woo’s journey in the Vancouver Canucks organization has taken an unexpected turn, and it’s one that raises more questions than answers. But here’s where it gets controversial—is this the end of the road for a once-promising defensive prospect, or just another bump in a long and winding career? According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the Canucks have placed defenseman Jett Woo on waivers. If he clears, the team plans to reassign him to their AHL affiliate, the Abbotsford Canucks, as early as tomorrow. This move comes after Woo started the 2025-26 season on the injured reserve list, recovering from offseason surgery to address an upper-body injury he played through during Abbotsford’s Calder Cup championship run last spring.
Rewind a few years, and Woo was seen as a rising star in Vancouver’s system. Drafted 37th overall in the 2018 NHL Draft, he lit up the WHL with 19 goals and 112 points in 126 games split between the Moose Jaw Warriors and Calgary Hitmen. And this is the part most people miss—his junior league success sparked high hopes, but the transition to professional hockey hasn’t been as smooth. Despite six years in the AHL with Abbotsford, Woo has yet to crack the NHL lineup, and at 25, his chances of becoming a staple in Vancouver’s defense are looking increasingly slim.
While Woo has shown glimpses of defensive reliability, his offensive output has been underwhelming. In 267 AHL games, he’s tallied just 21 goals and 83 points—numbers that fall short of the expectations set by his junior career. Here’s the controversial question: Is Woo’s struggle a result of unmet potential, or is he simply a victim of the steep learning curve that many prospects face? Some argue that his defensive skills could still make him a valuable depth player, while others believe his time in the Canucks organization has run its course.
What do you think? Is Jett Woo’s NHL dream still alive, or is this waiver placement a sign that it’s time to move on? Let us know in the comments—we’d love to hear your take on this intriguing development.
