higgyfan

Although his contract ends this season, Delia has proven to be (technically) the better goalie over Martin. They may choose to re-sign him to be Demko's backup and let Silovs continue to develop for another season. Silovs and Martin can share the #1 in Abby, while Tolopilo has the opportunity to train with superb goalie coaches and play a few games as well. Canucks would do ok if the injury bug hits either team. Keep in mind they also have Aku Koskenvuo, who was Clarke's recommendation (Clarke has been working with him since the draft). Aku is in the NCAA right now, but will certainly be in a race for the top goalie in Abby in the coming years. Might even see a Silov/Koskenvou tandem one day. They also have 2 other G prospects, but I don't know much about them.

I will be disappointed if they pick up a winger. With Bains, Hogs, McDon, Klim, Karlsson, Lekkerimaki, etc in the prospect pool, the team has a good stock of promising wingers. If it comes to a W being the BPA, I would rather they trade it for something of equal value; either prospect, pick(s) or young player.

That's ok. They'll sign him to a 1yr 'show me' contract. If he hasn't improved by Christmas, then off he goes through waivers.

Nice to see. I thought he had been damaged for life by the Vancouver Canucks.

Well, there might be, just like Hronek was 53oa pick in his draft. Thing is, it usually takes the lower picks a significant timeframe to develop their game to that level. Usually 4 - 5yrs. The Canucks need that player right now, if they are planning to get into playoff hockey anytime soon. This core of our team are ready to play meaningful games (now), so they need the support players in place to keep pushing for a playoff spot. I hope that the Canucks acquire a 2nd round pick at the draft and do manage to find a player that will develop into a top 4d or top 6C. Those will be the players that sustain the level of play that the current core will have established over the next few years.

Beau...hold my beer!

Calgary Flames fans...

Some very messy d right there...

Used to be all you needed was your driver's license. Those were the days, my friend.

Maybe you should read the thread.

The Benning years weren't about developing prospects. Gillis was busy building a championship team, so he didn't care much about the prospects either. Before those 2 gms, the Canucks did a great job developing young talent playing for the Moose. It looks like the new management is also interested in player development and are securing a group of young players that will develop together. I don't think Livingstone ever plays on the farm team. He's the highest rated NCAA player this year. The Preds are pretty weak on the right side D, so there is probably a spot for Jake. He just has to beat out Fabbro or Foote and he's in. I can see the Preds wanting to move Berry at some point as well.

And he'll end up playing in the KHL...just like Jake did

He may be immature and lazy like Jake, but he does have a toolbox that is filled with much better tools.

The 4th line is uninspiring as well. Calgary has a tough looking bottom 6 with Ritchie, Kadri and Lucic included.

Flames have a lot to lose and are desperate for the W. If they can't win this game, they don't deserve to be in the playoffs. Canucks will play their best against a rival. This will be a good battle. Win or lose it will be a great hockey night. PS: I notice the draft simulator works far better for the Canucks at 8th...2 Bedard and 2 Fantili in 8 attempts using the draft and mock simulators.

Next season will be huge for Woo. He is getting close, but will have to 'all in' if he wants to make the NHL. It won't surprise me if he can reach his goal. If he does, it will be a real bonus to the Canucks. Gonchar and Foote will love this kid.

I base it on all the scouting reports that mention Hirose's elite IQ, stick handling and skating. I think that gives him an edge over Jack. Also, looking at the rosters on Jack's teams, I see that there are a few familiar names and several NHL drafted players, whereas Akito's teams had just one player that was ever drafted. This tells me that Jack played on better teams during his college years. I agree that Akito probably has an edge with his defensive game. Jack appears to have the edge with his offensive game. It remains to be seen if Akito can avoid the injuries that Jack has struggled with.

Canuck Tank Timeline 2015-16: 7-12-1 (5th overall) 2016-17: 4-14-2 (5th overall) 2017-18: 7-9-4 (7th overall) 2018-19: 9-8-3 (10th overall) 2019-20: 9-9-2 (made playoffs) -no 1st or 2nd 2020-21: 7-12-1 (no 1st) 2021-22: 10-5-5 (15th overall) 2022-23: 13-6-1 (last 20 games until tonight. As of 29 March 2023. ) -TBD *Maybe another 15th. The stats in the first 3 on the list were good tanking years. They could have made a better decision in 2016 draft, but scored well in the other 2. Could have tanked and picked higher in '19. Without 1st picks in '20 + '21 it would be pointless to tank. Could have tanked in '22, but I think they are too good to tank this season.

I've been checking out some of the prospects lately and found this little gem about 2 of our boys... https://www.theobserver.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/vancouver-canucks/canucks-prospects-tracker-the-road-ahead-for-raty-and-the-jurmo-connection The Canucks prospects connections run deeper than we think. There’s the Aidan McDonough — Jack Rathbone bromance, best friends borne from playing together as kids in Massachusetts. Now we have the Joni Jurmo — Aatu Raty connection, good friends since their early teenage years playing in Finland. They’ve played with each other, against each other and could be reunited next season should the Canucks sign the 2020 third-round pick at the end of the season. Just one season ago, Raty was putting his game back together in Finland with Mikkelin Jukurit, alongside Jurmo. They grew close, and when Raty heard he had been traded to the Canucks, he messaged his good friend Joni with the news. “I woke up and I saw Aatu had sent me a text … and I was wondering what it was,” Jurmo told the Prospects Tracker on Monday. “He sent me a message ‘see you next year, buddy’ and then I was like ‘what!?” then I opened up instagram and all I can see was the trade. “I like it a lot. Aatu is, first and foremost, a great guy and a really good friend of mine … I’ve probably never met anyone who has such a big desire to develop his own game. Every time we had extra ice or extra practice, he would always be the first guy on. I think the switch from Karpat to Jukurit was a great thing for him. He got to play under Olli Jokinen, who is a great coach and I think everyone saw how good of a player he actually is.” Jurmo said Raty is an “extremely smart player” who is “super hard to play against” and is “strong on his legs.” Raty, for his part, spoke highly of Jurmo, saying on Friday that the towering defenceman is a “great player” and a “good friend of mine.” “He’s a great D-man. He’s going to be a great Canucks player one day.”

Imo, body mass/weight is more important than height. If a player is over 6' and over 200lbs, he should have no problem with the physical aspect of the game (if he's had decent coaching in that aspect of the game). Most of the players you have mentioned are in that range (including the younger guys that will likely continue adding strength to their game). The smaller players need to have superior speed, IQ and puck-moving skills to be effective in the NHL. Hirose, Rathbone and Carrol are in that category, but Hirose has a higher skill level and has a better chance of making the NHL. The NHL and AHL game is changing and we are seeing a growing number of smaller players (with high IQ, speed and puck-moving skills), having great careers. Carrol will probably have a similar career as Rathbone and make his mark in the AHL.

I see that he turns 20yrs next February. Does he make the jump to the AHL next season or will he stay another year in JR? What are your thoughts?

This kid is a very intriguing prospect. I can't believe the Nucks picked him up in the 7th round. "One of the smartest activators in the draft class, Kudryavtsev’s upside comes from both supporting the offence and creating it. He anticipates hand-offs along the boards, using that space to shoot. The give-and-go from the point features heavily in his game, often used to create a shot for himself or a set-up a teammate across the slot. When he’s on the weak side, he consistently identifies seams, then fills them without exposing his team to risk". -EliteProspects 2022 NHL Draft Guide This is what his current coach thinks of his game: https://soogreyhounds.com/article/coach-calls-kirill-the-best When it comes to the way Kirill Kudryavtsev goes about his OHL business, John Dean has always been quick to offer a ringing endorsement. On Wednesday, the Soo Greyhounds head coach took it a step – or two – farther. “I think Kirill is the best defenceman in the league,” said Dean, whose club continues to prepare for home games against Sarnia, on Friday, and Windsor, on Sunday afternoon. “I really do. He does everything correctly.” Dean, whose team made the native of Yaroslavl, Russia, an alternate captain on Tuesday, also spoke of how the 18-year-old (2004 birth year) embodies all of the qualities the Hounds want in a player. The Soo bench boss lauded the example Kudryavtsev sets for his teammates in terms of effort, compete level and determination to follow the game plan. “His puck distribution choices are incredible,” Dean said of the two-year veteran, who is tied for fifth in scoring among all OHL rearguards with a 6-30-36 stat line. “He runs our No. 1 power play and he consistently puts the puck into the hands of our top players.” Asked about Kudryavtsev’s defensive game, the coach discussed how others can’t help but be excited when paired with him. “He covers up so many blemishes, it’s not even funny,” Dean added. “If you’re his D partner, the mistakes you make he covers up for with good instincts, a good stick and a good I.Q. He’s also very positionally sound with deceptive speed.” Told of his coach’s flattering comments, Kudryavtsev was, momentarily, at a loss for words. “It surprises me. I’m absolutely proud,” the Hounds defenceman eventually stated. “I try to help the team in every way I can.” In the midst of the best statistical streak of his career, Kudryavtsev has produced four goals and 17 assists over his last 19 games. He spoke of how he believes he’s “started to be better with the puck and better with decision making.” Asked about being named an alternate captain, Kudryavtsev said he was excited. “I’ve never been an assistant captain, except when I was very young,” he added.

I think he will. He's 23yrs and has 1 more year left on his ELC. It's the perfect time for Filip to make his mark. He's a very exciting prospect for the Canucks. Very close to being NHL ready. Thx for the responses, guys. I was just trying to move discourage the OEL talk out of this thread, but apparently it didn't work.

Whatever happened to Filip Johansson?

His teammates call him 'Kit'.