Going Deep: Part Two
Entry posted by CanucksCorner
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In this two part comprehensive article, Aaron Davis explores the depth of your Vancouver Canucks. In this second installment Aaron looks at the future of the team, the young draftees that are just beginning their dreams of playing in the blue, green and white. In part one of "Going Deep" we took at look at the immediate depth of the Canucks and those players that we may see on the ice this season. Part two centers on those other names that we may not yet know. Players that have their destinies etched in the future of our Vancouver Canucks. Most of these names are still three, four and five years away from having their name on the back of Canucks jersey.
Each of the forty-four players in part one and two 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 down the road. Part one dealt 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.
Like part one, I hope it sparks discussion!
Cody Hodgson - C
(6' 0", 185lbs, age 19, Toronto, ON)
He’s either the next franchise, Linden like player or the next hot shot requesting a Bure like trade. Hodgson is hockey. He is smart, skilled and what he lacks in flash he makes up for in work ethic. Has epic special team possibilities that stems from his great offensive and defensive awareness. Sees the ice with the best playmakers and handles the puck with light and steady hands. He is like hockey fruit, almost ready to pluck from the tree. Odds are he’ll take his lumps in the Moose as soon as he is old enough and the move can only make him a better player. All Cody Hodgson has to do is be patient and trust the Canucks organization and he will be Vancouver’s next hockey hero.
Could fill in for the likes of: Henrik/Daniel Sedin, Ryan Kessler, Alex Burrows, Mikael Samuelsson
Likelihood for a call-up this season: Slim: Not eligible, returned to junior. Unless his junior team's season ends he cannot play for the Canucks this year.
Mario Bliznak - C
(6' 0", 185lbs, age 22, born Trencin, SVK)
A career fourth line Centre is what the Nucks have in Mario. His offensive awareness and ability to see the ice are, unfortunately, his biggest challenges. Bliznak plays hard and every time he hits the ice he plans to work. Fast legs and determination round him out as a consistent defensive contributor. The boy was a great Defenseman in a past life.
Could fill in for the likes of: Ryan Johnson
Likelihood for a call-up this season: None
Dan Gendur - RW
(5' 11", 195lbs, age 22, Born Vancouver, BC)
Development on the farm may bring Dan to a place in his ability where he is a well rounded offensive threat. Today is not that time. He skates like Raymond, shoots like Salo but has the point production of O’Brien. Stick handling needs work but his drive and ambition carry him to places his skill his not ready for. Time will tell if he can find the next gear in his career.
Could fill in for the likes of: Mason Raymond, Alex Burrows
Likelihood for a call-up this season: None
Evan Oberg - D
(6' 0", 165lbs, age 21, born Forestburg, AB)
Still too small for the big leagues, Evan is one of the Canucks most promising defensemen. Still years from a spot on the Canucks, Oberg needs to fill out by at least 25 – 20 lbs in order to compete. Good thing he’s still young!
Could fill in for the likes of: Alexander Edler
Likelihood for a call-up this season: None
Prab Rai - C
(5' 11", 191lbs, age 19, born Surrey, BC)
Skates like the Russian Rocket but needs a few years in the minors to develop. He drives through the neutral zone and invents scoring chances like nobody’s business. Has potential to be a top six forward one day. Prab is confident in what he brings but has had his character, professionalism and work ethic called to question in the past. Of course, that may be indicative of being raised in Surrey... Playing this year with the CHL Everett Silvertips.
Could fill in for the likes of: Mason Raymond, Mikael Samuelsson, Alex Burrows
Likelihood for a call-up this season: None
Taylor Ellington - D
(6' 0", 200lbs, age 20, born Victoria, BC)
Taylor is no pussycat. He can be mean and powerful especially in his own end. Taylor’s reliability and playmaking ability gives him potential to be a top four d-man. A few years working through the system and Ellington will likely find a permanent spot on the Canucks roster.
Could fill in for the likes of: Kevin Bieksa, Willie Mitchell
Likelihood for a call-up this season: None
Jordan Schroeder - C/RW
(5' 8", 175lbs, age 19, born Burnsville, MN)
Schroeder is another future star for the Canucks Nation. Not the biggest, not the smallest but he enhances the level of play regardless of who he plays with. An unselfish player with great hockey sense, a view of the ice like no other, and natural playmaking abilities make him an exciting guy to have in the system. Plays with the heart and flexibility that makes you forget that he is only 5’8”. His development is just as exciting as Hodgson’s and when it comes time for t hem to hit the bigs together, we’ll probably see them lynchpins in our top six forwards. For now, he’ll pay his dues in the NCAA.
Could fill in for the likes of: Henrik Sedin, Ryan Kessler, Alex Burrows, Mikael Samuelsson
Likelihood for a call-up this season: None
Matt Butcher - C
(6' 1", 185, age 22, born Bellingham, WA)
Butcher is destined for a reserve role. That’s a ways away yet though. He throws his body around like he’s the man of steel and aggravates the tar out of his opponents. Butcher is consistent and full of spit and vinegar. Not a goal scorer by nature, he really needs to work on his offensive skills. Currently playing in the NCAA, he is still ripe for development.
Could fill in for the likes of: Darcy Hordichuk, Rick Rypien, Ryan Johnson
Likelihood for a call-up this season: None
Kris Fredheim - D
(6' 2", 170lbs, age 22, born Campbell River)
Kris is the spider of defensemen. Long reach, lanky frame, and his bite is worse than his bark as he possesses a point shot the can put any shot blocker on the injured reserve list. Adding strength will be his number one goal if he expects to make it into the NHL. A solid skater who, despite being light, makes it hard for opponents to win battles in the corners. Kris does well a blocking shots and getting in the way of attacking players, creating havoc in passing lanes. He is currently playing in the NCAA with Colorado College and is likely a few years from prime time.
Could fill in for the likes of: Sami Salo, Alex Edler
Likelihood for a call-up this season: None
Taylor Matson - C
(5' 10", 165lbs, age 21, born Mound, MN)
Playing for the NCAA Minnesota Gophers, Matson boasts good hands and a decent wrist shot. He’s a little guy with that big dog attitude and an ability to win battles in the corners despite being faced with bigger and stronger opponents. His major upside is his playmaking ability. With a few years still left in college hockey, it will be interesting to see Taylor’s development.
Could fill in for the likes of: Mikael Samuelsson
Likelihood for a call-up this season: None
Yann Sauve - D
(6' 3", 209lbs, age 19, born Montreal, QC)
Yann is a monster defenseman. He’s aggressive and powerful with an ability to own his own end. He needs to find an offensive awareness and work on his ability to handle the puck. Being so young, Suave has time to develop in the system. In a few years he’ll either be the next Mitchell or the next SOB.
Could fill in for the likes of: Willie Mitchel, Kevin Bieksa, Shane O’Brien
Likelihood for a call-up this season: None
Kevin Connauton - D
(6' 1", 185lbs, age 19, born Edmonton, AB)
Able to quarterback the power play, Kevin is developing into a great Canucks asset. He’s a playmaking defenseman with great patience. Still a long way away, Kevin is playing currently in the NCAA.
Could fill in for the likes of: Christian Ehrhoff, Alexander Edler
Likelihood for a call-up this season: None
Jeremy Price - D
(6' 1", 175lbs, age 19, born Milton, ON)
Playing in the NCAA, Price is an offensive defenseman in early development. One of his most attractive qualities is that his progression is practically paced by a metronome. Every step in his evolution as a player is consistent and reliable. Price possesses a great shot, offensive awareness and good mobility.
Could fill in for the likes of: Christian Ehrhoff, Alexander Edler
Likelihood for a call-up this season: None
Joe Cannata - G
(6' 1", 200lbs, age 19, born Wakefield, MA)
Currently committed in the NCAA, Cannata is set to take over for Cory Schneider on the Moose Roster. Like Cory, he is fast and agile with good puck control. A smart goalie with strong hand eye coordination, Joe is focused and able to play the puck safely.
Could fill in for the likes of: Cory Schneider
Likelihood for a call-up this season: None
Ilja Kablukov – LW/C
(6' 2", 183lbs, age 21, born Moscow, RUS)
Maybe Ilja is afraid of being homesick, but his decision to not try playing for the AHL is essentially confining him to Europe. The Canucks, nor any other NHL team are going to plant him into their line-up without first testing him on North American soil. It’s unfortunate because the boy is a consistent and skilled two-way forward with great size and speed potential. He is naturally an offensively minded player with puck skills. Kablukov is stalwart and can be trusted to show up with his A-game every time. Thank God there’s still time as he’s only 21.
Could fill in for the likes of: Mason Raymond, Ryan Kesler, Steve Bernier, Mikael Samuelsson
Likelihood for a call-up this season: None
Mats Froshaug - C
(6' 1", 198lbs, age 21, born Oslo, NOR)
A balanced player. Nothing spectacular yet nothing repulsive either. He’s like the guy at the office party that everyone recognizes but no one knows his name. He has some power to him and battles well but has never been beta tested outside of Europe. Just as likely to play for the Moose as he is to appear on the back of a milk carton.
Could fill in for the likes of: Casper the Ghost, Ryan Johnson (Maybe?)
Likelihood for a call-up this season: Less than None
Peter Andersson - D
(6' 3", 194lbs, age 18, born Kvidinge, SWE)
Another young monster defenseman that has found his way into the Canucks player development system. Peter plays a solid two-way game with admirable hockey smarts and speed. A powerful shot and talented puck handler, Andersson is poised to quarterback the power play. Still playing in Europe, he’ll need to cross the puddle if he wants to find a roster spot eventually.
Could fill in for the likes of: Sami Salo, Christian Ehrhoff
Likelihood for a call-up this season: None
Anton Rodin - LW/RW
(5' 11", 174lbs, age 18, born Stockholm, SWE)
With potential to be a top six forward or a grinding fourth liner, Anton has a long time to find his role before he breaks out of Europe and plays for the Moose. One thing id for sure, He skates fantastically, knows what to do with the puck, and when he scores, get the highlight real ready. At 18, it’s good the boy has some time to fill out to handle the men in the NHL.
Could fill in for the likes of: Mason Raymond, Mikael Samuelsson
Likelihood for a call-up this season: None
Kellan Tochkin - RW
(5' 10", 176lbs, age 18, born Abbotsford, BC)
74 points and a point per game in the WHL last season. Kellan will spend this year, and probably the next, with the Everett Silvertips. He’s a long way from being a player in the Moose and a really long way from playing in the blue, white and green. Played in the PIJHL for Ridge Meadows!
Could fill in for the likes of: Um... way too early to tell
Likelihood for a call-up this season: Michael Jackson has a better shot of touring in 2010
Steven Anthony
(6' 1", 205lbs, age 18, born Halifax, NS)
Playing this season with the QMJHL St. John Sea Dogs. Steven is an up and coming playmaker with some unfortunate questions about his work ethic. More will be revealed.
Could fill in for the likes of: A forward
Likelihood for a call-up this season: Can it be less than zero?
Morgan Clark - G
(5' 11", 160lbs, age 19, born Toronto, ON)
A little guy that is fast and mobile in net. Going to be difficult to compete with the big monsters that are coming up through the ranks. Although early in his development, Clark will likely never see the NHL.
Could fill in for the likes of: No one in the Canucks system
Likelihood for a call-up this season: None
The future of our Vancouver Canucks looks bright and skilled. Our player development system is working hard to ensure each and every one of these players has a shot of being the next Sedin, Burrows, Kesler, Luongo and Mitchell. I don’t know if we’ll ever win a cup, but I do know that we have a stable of young and hungry hopefuls that will sure keep on trying.
There are other players in the Canucks system as well. The following list includes these players. None of them are likely to ever make it into a Canucks uniform as they have made their careers in Europe. I include them only to complete the list.
Evgeny Gladskikh - Forward (6' 0", 176lbs, age 27, born Magnitogorsk, RUS)
Colby Genoway – Forward (6' 1", 201lbs, age 25, born Morden, MB)
Ilia Krikunov – Forward (5' 11", 169lbs, age 25, born Moscow, RUS)
Sergei Topol – Forward (6' 1", 183lbs, age 24, born Omsk, RUS)
Kiril Koltsov – Defense (5' 11", 183lbs, age 26, born Chelyabinsk, RUS)
Denis Grot – Defense (6' 0", 185lbs, age 25, born Minsk, BLR)
Lukas Mensator – Goalie (5' 8", 167lbs, age 25, born Sokolov, CZE)
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