Quantum

Dmitry Zhukenov is definately one of the Canucks most exciting prospects. I think he's going to catch many people off guard and I believe that he's got a chance to "Hutton" his way into the lineup. As in, once he makes the jump pro, I think he could push his way into the lineup unexpectatedly. We've got a gem with this one.

In an ideal world, the Canucks will be able to lock up Troy Stretcher (local boy, defensive depth, he'll probably sign here given the chance... especially with the youth movement in full swing here and a legit shot at making the big club next season), Drake Caggiula (another great player, linemate of Boeser's, was highly touted UFA last season but opted to go back for his senior year. May be swayed to sign here over the Hawks to remain with Boeser -- especially if Boeser signs this offseason with the club, which I think could happen... would be similar to Evan Rodrigues signing in Buffalo to try and play with Jack Eichel again). Either way, North Dakota has a great hockey program and the NCAA/USHL are definitely leagues to really eye prospects from in the near future. The Canucks could really replinish there prospect cupboard by signing some college guys, that's for sure.

What I was implying is that any entry leveld eal Tryamkin signs, which is likely a two year deal due to his age, will not come into effect until next season. However, much like what Hutton did last year (where he signed a pro tryout deal at the end of the AHL season to play with the Comets). I can imagine Benning and co pushing Tryamkin to sign a similar deal once the KHL season ends (because there seasons are shorter then the AHL and NHL seasons) wherein he can get slightly acclimitized to the smaller rink/the organization more intimately before making the leap to the NHL in the 2016/2017 season. They could also sign him to an entry level deal and play him for a game or two in the regular season, much like they do with College UFAs all the time, but he'd be ineligible for the playoffs if the Canucks can qualify for them. So it would make sense, from a developmental stand point, to push Tryamkin to play a few AHL games before making the leap... smaller ice surfaces and all. That's what I meant with my comments.

I could see Tryamkin signing a Professional Tryout contract with Utica at the end of the season... once his KHL season is over and then signing an entry level deal the following year with the hopes of him playing on the big club next season.

That's the smart call. The Canucks don't need to waste a high pick on potential "high end bust" like Thomas Hickey (4th overall pick in 2007 by Kings, waived by Kings and picked up by Islanders. A respectable NHLer but nowhere near a Top 2 guy), Cam Barker (3rd overall pick in 2004. Never reached potential), Erik Johnson (1st overall in 2006. He's a solid NHLer but not a Top 2 guy and definitely not worth having been picked before Jonathan Toews that year), Zack Bogosian (3rd overall, over 400 NHL games played, people still wonder if he can become a Top 2 guy), and Erik Gudbranson (3rd overall in 2010, mediocore numbers, still young though). I'm not saying any of these guys are huge busts by any means (well, besides Barker and possibly Hickey, but that's soley based on where he was drafted his year) but find a stud defenseman is much harder then finding a stud forward... especially when picking high in the draft. I mean, if I was St. Louis, I'd still be kicking myself for not picking Jonathan Toews at 1st overall when I had the chance. You can find stud D-men high in the draft (Ekblad, Jovanovski, Hedman) but the risk is higher generally speaking... but that's my two cents.

Considering Demko is at Boston College and not Boston University, chances of him being involved are low.

I get the feeling that he'll pull a Larkin/Kesler and go pro after this season. He's already killing it at the NCAA level and I suspect that the Canucks would love to get a chance to put his scoring skills to the test on the NHL level. A line of Boeser, McCann, and Shinkaruk could be magic one day. Also, if Boeser signs this year... there is a chance the Canucks could have an inside track on Drake Caggulia who is expected to be one of the most coveted Undrafted College UFAs of this season. Teams tried courting Caggulia last year but he opted to return for his Senior year, so he'll definitely be signing after this season. Caggulia is a LW and is on a line with Boeser (who is a RW). Food for thought.

Wait... I thought Hutton was Sbisa's babysitter?!? WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!?!? HAS THE WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN OR SOMETHING?!? GUYS... I'M FREAKING OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! /jokes

The only way Boeser bolts is if he plays all 4 years with UND and I highly doubt he does. He's got the tools to make an NHL impact soon. I wouldn't be shocked if he signs his entry deal either after this season or next. If he decides to play his Junior year at UND, that's when I'll start sweating bullets. And if Boeser does bolt, I think the Canucks would get a compensatory second round draft pick since he was selected in the first round.

I'm of the opinion that Ben Hutton has played his way onto the team. If his performance slips midseason then you can send him down to the AHL. Honestly, for a team that feels so stagnant, Ben Hutton (along with Jared McCann and to a lesser extent Jake Virtanen) feels like a breath of fresh air. He's 22 and been playing against guys older then him (IE in there 20's) for a few years now. It's been shown that if any type of player can make the jump from the junior ranks to the NHL -- it's the guys who go through the College programs... I also think you could probably waive Frank Corrado without too much fear of him being claimed. Sure, he's a sound prospect but he also isn't anything THAT special. He's a servicable guy... a former 5th rounder... and is only 6 feet. I'm sure if he got waived now, nobody would take him, but again, it is a RISK. Either way, I'd rather see Ben Hutton in action at the start of the regular season then a guy like Luca Sbisa.

I don't expect him to crack the roster out of Training Camp, but I do expect him to make his NHL debut this season. He'll probably the second or third defenseman called up once injuries hit the Canucks d-corps this season. This kid's got it. A 5th round steal. I expect good things from him going forward.

A 6th overall pick deserves a nine game trial. He proved that he was capable of keeping up at the AHL level, I want to see him be given a chance. He's one of those types of players who could legitimately make the leap from Junior to the NHL with ease. It would be a shame to see him toil an extra year in the WHL without being given a chance with the Canucks... even if it's for nine games or less.

I suspect contract talks are slower with him because he wants more term then money. Benning probably wants to sign him to a contract similar to Corrado and Clendening... a bridge deal... but I suspect Baertschi wants a deal that spans 2-3 years instead of 1.

I don't think it's out of the question to expect that come training camp in September, Hutton will challenge for a roster spot on the Canucks. The kid's got all the tools to be a solid D-Man. I'm not saying he'll get a spot but I think he's the dark horse to snag one, that's for sure. If not, a full season in the AHL will do wonders for him most likely and he'll likely get a call up sometime next season, at the very least.

Give him his 9 games next year, decide whether he needs another year of junior or not then.

Honestly, I don't believe this kid is going to pull a Schultz/Hayes. Like it's been said before, by the time he finishes his NCAA career, there'll likely be a spot for him to slide into on the Canucks blueline. That, and the kid has shown a will to be a Canuck. In fact, he was at this year's Prospect's Camp despite the fact that not only did he not have to be there but he also had to pay his own way to the camp because he's currently on a University team. If that doesn't show his committment to wanting to be with the franchise, I'm not sure what does.