Sports

Canucks: 5 draft situations that will play out with rise, fall of prospect targets

Bumbu Uk

Even when it’s a no brainer for the Canucks to hold on to their first choose, there’s nonetheless going to be a stage of drama

Printed Jun 20, 2023  •  Final up to date 6 hours in the past  •  4 minute learn

Tom Willander.
Tom Willander’s second-half development this season may make the Swedish defenceman the Canucks’ first draft choose on June 28 in Nashville. Picture by Eurasia Sport Pictures Jari Pest /Getty Pictures

The primary thought isn’t a highly-ranked draft domino that will fall within the 2023 NHL draft.

It’s whether or not the Vancouver Canucks’ braintrust covets its No. 11 choice on June 28 in Nashville to such a level that parting with it — with a commerce to improve the present roster, or commerce down so as to add belongings — isn’t within the dialog.

And even when it’s a no brainer to hold on to the primary choose, there’s nonetheless going to be a stage of drama. Prospects are going to fall and rise, and a group might be going to succeed in with its top-10 choose.

The Canucks have quite a lot of particular targets to hopefully money their daily-double wager — finest participant accessible and including wanted group depth at centre and defence — however who is definitely going to be there?

In a draft that’s top-heavy with forwards, who could fall to the Canucks will likely be as intriguing as who rises of their pecking order.

alt text
Canucks normal supervisor Patrik Allvin ought to have NHL draft choices June 28 with the No. 11 choose. Picture by Jason Payne /PNG

“The forwards I anticipate they may goal are (Dalibor) Dvorsky and (Nate) Danielson,” NHL prospects scout Shane Malloy predicted Tuesday. “And defence will likely be (Tom) Willander and possibly Dmitri Simashev.”

That’s as a result of centre Ryan Leonard and defencemen Axel Sandin Pellikka and David Reinbacher may very well be off the board. In the event that they’re not, then that’s one other dialog on the draft desk. And if Dvorsky is gone and energy ahead Colby Barlow will not be, that’s going to be fascinating, too.

Amid the unknown, it’s Willander and Danielson who’ve risen within the Canucks’ rankings.

Right here’s a have a look at 5 potential draft-day performs by the Canucks:

In the event that they maintain the choose

1. Tom Willander, D, shoots proper, 6-foot-1, 180 lbs., Stockholm, Sweden

Stats: Rogle BK (J20), GP:39, G:4, A:21, Pts:25; Rogle BK Angelholm (SHL), GP:2, G:0, A:0, Pts:0

Skinny: Represented his nation on the 2023 Underneath-18 world championship, impressed with eight factors (3-5) in seven video games. In gold-medal recreation, Sweden misplaced 3-2 in time beyond regulation to the U.S. Bought stronger, extra snug in second half of season.

Scout says: “His development in relation to different gamers has arguably been essentially the most progressive. Skating and stature are similar to Pellikka, however he’s a bit of bit larger and wider. His skating is elite and he can monitor pucks. He doesn’t shoot exceptionally onerous, however finds area. A bit deception, so he finds that lane to get it to the web.” — Jason Bukala, Sportsnet analyst, former NHL director of beginner scouting.

2. Nate Danielson, C, shoots proper, 6-foot-2, 185 lbs., Crimson Deer, Alta.

Stats: Brandon (WHL), GP:68, G:33, A:45, Pts:78

Skinny: Captain put up good numbers on struggling group and grew his complete 200-foot recreation. Mixed pace, capability to learn the sport at tempo, transitioning by impartial zone and ending scoring possibilities to solidify draft standing. Shot may use improve, however he places within the work.

Scout says: “Could make performs in tight quarters. Has proven a capability to soak up contact and lengthen performs. Sneaky bodily and never shy about ending checks at F1 on the forecheck. Skating stride is misleading.” — Bukala.

3. Colby Barlow, LW, shoots left, 6-foot-1, 187 lbs., Orillia, Ont.

Stats: Owen Sound (OHL), GP:59, G:46, A:33, Pts:79.

Skinny: Energy ahead who may even do the soiled work. Will throw and take a success, block a shot, win board battles and end. An actual gamer. Laborious to seek out. Inventory is rising.

Scout says: “Energy forwards are uncommon. A call is making a sensible cross. A alternative is taking a success to make a play, battling for unfastened pucks, and attending to the web — understanding you’re going to get clobbered. The kind of participant you win with within the playoffs. Initiatives as a second-liner and the Canucks may use that.” — Shane Malloy, NHL Prospects Radio.

4. Dmitri Simashev, D, shoots left, 6-foot-4, 201 lbs., Kostroma, Russia

Stats: Loko Yaroslavl (MHL), GP:29, G:1, A:10, Pts:11; Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL) GP:18, G:0, A:0, Pts:0.

Skinny: Ranked as excessive as eighth, ninth, tenth and as little as thirtieth on notable boards. What stood out in KHL was capability to play bodily towards males, use pace and vary to shut shortly. Has but to develop offensively, however will stroll the road and do one thing artistic.

Scout says: “Extremely co-ordinated. One of many prime skaters his class and it’s very uncommon that you just see this type of body with how environment friendly he’s with untapped two-way potential. A shutdown defenceman who eats minutes, however most projectable is skating and utilizing stick size. Everyone needs bigger defenders, nevertheless it’s not simply physicality. Vary issues all over the place.” — Bakula.

In the event that they commerce choose, transfer down

5. Samuel Honzek, LW, shoots left, 6-foot-4, 186 lbs., Trencin, Slovakia

Stats: Vancouver (WHL), GP:43, G:23, A:33, Pts:56

Skinny: Rising into his body, enhancing stride mechanics and overcoming two accidents this season examined mettle as import. Missed eight weeks with lacerated calf damage at WJHC and completed common season with 11 factors (5-6) in 12 video games. Protects pucks properly and has finesse. Excelled at NHL Draft Mix testing by putting first in Windgate, second in standing broad leap, third in no arm leap and fourth in shuttle agility to show athleticism and excessive cardio stage.

Scout says: “Actual good puck contact. Equal components purpose scorer and playmaker. Has sound hockey I.Q. and understands find out how to play accountable in all three zones. Skating might want to enhance one other 10 per cent for the NHL recreation.” — Bukala.

[email protected]

twitter.com/benkuzma

Help our journalism: Our in-depth journalism is feasible due to the help of our subscribers. For simply $3.50 per week, you may get limitless, ad-lite entry to The Vancouver Solar, The Province, Nationwide Submit and 13 different Canadian information websites. Help us by subscribing at the moment: The Vancouver Solar | The Province.

Feedback

Postmedia is dedicated to sustaining a vigorous however civil discussion board for dialogue and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. Feedback could take as much as an hour for moderation earlier than showing on the location. We ask you to maintain your feedback related and respectful. We’ve enabled e-mail notifications—you’ll now obtain an e-mail in the event you obtain a reply to your remark, there may be an replace to a remark thread you comply with or if a consumer you comply with feedback. Go to our Neighborhood Pointers for extra info and particulars on find out how to modify your e-mail settings.

Be part of the Dialog

Originally posted 2023-06-20 21:34:42.

Related Posts