Going Deep: Part One
Entry posted by CanucksCorner
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In this comprehensive two part article, Aaron Davis explores the depth of your Vancouver Canucks. Part one of this piece looks at those players that we could see on the ice in a Canucks jersey this season.
It stands to reason that in an 82 game season, every NHL team will have to deal with top players experiencing a slump or injury. Hockey is a contact sport and arguably the fastest major sport there is so eventually, no matter how hard you try to avoid it, stuff happens. It's in those moments that your third and fourth lines, your fifth, sixth, and seventh defenseman, and your backup goalie will be called out to step up and fill in the gaps. In the stretch, team depth makes or breaks an NHL team, especially in the moments leading up to playoffs.
When a team finds three of their top six and one third line forward as well as one of their top three defensemen all injured at the same time, it can be argued that we have left the realm of normal team were and tear.
It's unfortunately where we find our beloved Vancouver Canucks within the first ten games of the season. One good thing about our rocky ride on the injury express is that we get to see who's on the bus. We find out what our team is made of and how they handle being called out when it matters.
It also got me thinking of who is next. Who else do we have in the system that may (or may not) hear the call of management to step up to the plate.
The following is a two part, comprehensive overview of every player in the Canucks system that is not solidly in an NHL roster spot with the team. Each of the forty-four players is listed with his basic information and a brief overview of where each sits in the system. I have included my opinion of what type of Canucks role they could fill. Obviously, the majority of these players are not likely to be called up to replace the player I have suggested, it is simply a reference to the type of position they COULD fill either in a pinch or down the road. Finally, I have indicated what the likelihood is that they will receive the call this season if we have to dive this deep into the Canucks pool. Part one deals with those players that have a possibility of skating in a Canucks jersey this year. In part two, those players are showcased that have no chance of being called up because of where they are in their development. Part two deals with our future.
I hope it sparks discussion!
Jannik Hansen - RW
(6' 1", 189lbs, age 23, born Herlev, DNK)
Why is Hansen in the "depth" category? Because I'm not convinced his roster spot is secured. The Canucks depth includes some other young players that challenge Jannik for his seat on the bench. Hansen plays hungry and mixes it up when necessary. He's fast and can snap a great wrist shot. With Jannik's ability to see the ice is slightly stifled by the lack of confidence he tends to display.
Could fill in for the likes of: Jannik Hansen
Likelihood for a call-up this season: Excellent (When his hand heals, he'll probably regain his spot)
Aaron Rome - D
(6' 1", 215lbs, age 26, born Nesbitt, MB)
Only listed here because his role with the Canucks is not solid and it is possible he could be reassigned to the Moose if confidence in him wavers. Rome is likely never going to play a full season with a top NHL contender in anything but a reserve defenseman role. That said, he's a big guy not afraid to drop the glove or make forwards bay on the boards. His shot from the point gives him possibilities on the power play too.
Could fill in for the likes of: Sami Salo, Shane Obrien
Likelihood for a call-up this season: Good (Started on the regular roster as the 7th defenseman)
Tanner Glass
(6' 1", 210lbs, age 25, born Regina, SK)
Tanner demonstrates consistency consistently. He is a blue collar player that demonstrates a working man ethic on the ice. Glass is team centered and works for the whole, not just his personal stats sheet. Fighting, working the boards hard, fast skates and a quick shot help to make him a well rounded and flexible player. Tanner sets the example of leadership on the ice. There is little doubt that he will find a regular spot on the roster soon.
Could fill in for the likes of: Kyle Wellwood, Ryan Johnson, Steve Bernier
Likelihood for a call-up this season: Good (Part of starting roster)
Sergei Shirokov - LW/RW
(5' 10", 195lbs, age 23, Moscow, RUS)
He sees the ice very well and has a talent for being in the right place at the right time. Shirokov is a smaller guy with good legs. Not fast legs, but good ones. May never be a top line guy but could be a great second line leader. Some liken him to Pavel Bure and swear by the fact that he can fill those skates. After some North American time with the Moose, his call-up potential is high.
Could fill in for the likes of: Mason Raymond, Alex Burrows, Steve Bernier
Likelihood for a call-up this season: Good (Part of starting roster)
Michael Grabner - LW/RW
(6' 0", 170lbs, age 22, born Villach, AUT)
Grabner has great offensive prowess. He's fast like... like... something extremely fast. He controls the puck like nobody's business and is uber-dangerous on breakaways and the power play. His speed is also great for making things happen on the ice. What he needs to work on id his defensive awareness and his consistence. His heart has often been questioned at the NHL level. Grabner is also proof that development in the AHL is working for the Canucks system. The evolution of his game is obvious.
Could fill in for the likes of: Mason Raymond, Alex Burrows, Steve Bernier
Likelihood for a call-up this season: Good (called-up on October 14)
Alexandre Bolduc
(6' 1", 178lbs, age 24, born Montreal, QC)
Good instincts and aggressiveness make Bolduc a valuable young player. His attitude and drive rubs off on teammates and energizes the rink. He's likely destined to third or fourth line spots and needs to put some bulk on his frame to stand up to guys like Prust and Tucker.
Could fill in for the likes of: Rick Rypien, Darcy Hordichuck
Likelihood for a call-up this season: Good (called-up on October 17)
Guillaume Desbiens - RW
(6' 2", 210lbs, age 24, born Alma, QC)
The boy needs to work on his hockey skills. Desbiens has grit to him. He is not afraid to scrap and he can take it as well as dole it out. His two-way play ability and his +/- last season of + 11 make him an attractive asset that deserves more big show time when the opportunity arises.
Could fill in for the likes of: Darcy Hordichuk, Rick Rypien, Steve Bernier
Likelihood for a call-up this season: Fair (called-up on October 10)
Brad Lukowich - D
(6'1", 201lbs, age 33, born Cranbrook, BC)
The closest thing to a defensive call-up or 8th defenseman we have in the system. Brad is smart and safe with a good point shot. What he lacks in toughness he makes up for in staying out of the box. Unfortunately, because he was assigned to the Texas Stars of the AHL, if called-up he will have to clear re-entry wavers. The Canucks may not want to lose him to the defensively starved vultures of the NHL.
Could fill in for the likes of: Aaron Rome
Likelihood for a call-up this season: Fair
Michael Funk - D
(6'4", 210lbs, age 23, born Abbotsford, BC)
Won't you take me to, FUNKYTOWN! Quite possibly the only reason I want Funk to play for the Canucks is so we can play this song when he scores. He's a big dude too. He showed in camp that he can skate fast and move well. With good playmaking ability and stick handling, Funky Mike can be a great offensive asset to the Canucks if he can be consistent with his heart.
Could fill in for the likes of: Willie Mitchell, Christian Ehrhoff, Kevin Bieksa
Likelihood for a call-up this season: Fair
Nathan McIver - D
(6' 3", 205lbs, age 24, born Summerside, PE)
Nathan likes to stir the pot. He is a bruiser and an agitator that plays an aggressive, territorial stay at home defensive game. McIver is not going to post mad point on the board and he is not fast enough to stick with top six forwards,but he is the perfect goon to call up when you're feeling pushed around.
Could fill in for the likes of: Shane O'Brien
Likelihood for a call-up this season: Fair
Cory Schneider - G
(6' 2", 195lbs, age 23, born Salem, MA)
Schneider will be a starter in the NHL soon. Of course there is wide speculation that due to the Raycroft acquisition and Luongo contract extension, he could be trade bait. I think that it's unlikely they'll trade him. Raycroft will not be here forever. Just long enough to back-up Luongo and give Cory a chance to play lots of games so the he can continue his development. Schneider is a big, skilled starter with potential to be a top goaltender in the NHL. He is fast and agile with so many upsides that it would be hard to NOT see him take over for Robrto. That said, if Luongo continues to be at the top of his game for too many years, Cory may request an out where he can get his chance to backstop an NHL team.
Could fill in for the likes of: Andrew Raycroft, Roberto Luongo
Likelihood for a call-up this season: Slim
Eric Walsky - RW
(5' 11", 194lbs, age 25, born Anchorage, AK)
Walsky is a forward with skill. In the NCAA with Colorado College, he finished second in team scoring with 36 points, contributing greatly to their MacNaughton Cup championship. He handles the puck with great hands and skates like the wind. Like Pope, he comes into the system a bit older at 25. With some time in the minors to find his pace with bigger opponents, Walsky is poised to make a splash in the NHL.
Could fill in for the likes of: Kyle Wellwood (I know Welly is a Centre, referring to his skills), Mason Raymond, Alex Burrows
Likelihood for a call-up this season: Slim
Matt Pope - RW
(6' 1", 185lbs, age 25, born Langley, BC)
Pope plays with his heart. In the ECHL, he not only played in the All-Star game, he was a starter. He is big forward with decent skating ability. Pope had a decent camp this year but need some time with the Moose to refine his already good hockey sense. At 25 it could be argued that he is a late bloomer but if the AHL helps him to transition to a bigger game, he could surprise by becoming a great reserve forward.
Could fill in for the likes of: Darcy Hordichuk, Rick Rypien, Steve Bernier
Likelihood for a call-up this season: Slim
Nolan Baumgartner - D
(6' 2", 205lbs, age 33, born Calgary, AB)
A big man who has never been comfortable throwing his weight around. His time as an NHL regular is over and his role is primarily one of mentor to the rookies on the Moose. Given Nolan's experience, there is always the possibility of being called up late in the season to compensate for injury. Nolan has a good point shot but as he gets on in his career, he makes silly mistakes.
Could fill in for the likes of: Aaron Rome
Likelihood for a call-up this season: Slim
Pierre-Cedric Labrie - LW
(6' 2", 218lbs, age 22, born Baie-Comeau, QC)
The kid can't skate yet. Sure he can hold his own with the Moose but he is not yet near the place where he can compete with the likes of Phaneuff and Souray. Labrie is valuable planted in front of the net looking to bang in the crumbs of his line mates or blind the goalie. He is big, powerful and aware of his role which is good because he finds himself in the right place and the right time on the ice. Of course, all that depends on him keeping up with the play on those slow legs of his. Conditioning is an issue, grit is not.
Could fill in for the likes of: Darcy Hordichuk, Rick Rypien, Ryan Johnson
Likelihood for a call-up this season: Slim to None
Matt Pettinger – RW/LW
(6'1", 205lbs, age 28, born Edmonton, AB)
Matt is not really part of the Canucks depth because he has no contract with them. On October 15th, he signed a 25 game contract with the Moose. We most likely won't see him back in a Nucks jersey but playing for the Moose makes it not entirely impossible. In a pinch, he has some veteran experience that the team may have to call on if our top players continue to break. Heck, it's not like anyone else is signing him.
Could fill in for the likes of: Darcy Hordichuk, Rick Rypien, Ryan Johnson
Likelihood for a call-up this season: Considering the Canucks haven't even signed him? Zero
With so much depth, we can be confident that the Canucks immediate future looks solid. We haven't run out of options. Let's not consider it an invitation for further injury though, m'kay?!
Also, stay tuned for Going Deep: Part Two that will focus on those players we're waiting for. The Canucks have a bright future ahead of them with the likes of Cody Hodgson, Jordan Schroeder and goalie Joe Cannata. The player development system of the Canucks should have them all in the blue, green and white in no time at all!
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