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Which prospect has the best chance to crack the Canucks lineup this season?


  

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As I wrote on the Prospects Forum something like 80% of current Nuck players, particularly top 9 F/4 D, saw first action with an NHL club during the third season following their draft, though sometimes much of that third season was spent in the AHL. With be big club the range during that 3rd season was 1 game played (Lapierre) to 80 (Hamhuis). The 4th season was when they established themselves as regulars, spending all or bulk of their time with the big club.

This is precisely the trajectory that Kassian is following. Got his feet wet in year 3 and will likely be a regular in 4.

If Schroeder doesn't see meaningful action in 2012-13--this the 4th year after being drafted--his prospects for a top 9 NHL career will be in serious jeopardy. There are some late bloomers to be sure but most exceptions to the 80% are fourth liners or D men (eg. Bieksa, Garrison).

Jensen is a better bet to make it in 13-14 (his 3rd) as there are at least 8 wingers that are guaranteed or project above him for this coming year. Also, 5 contracts for established forwards will end after 12-13.

For the D corps, Sauve may have taken a step back as he got 5 NHL games in 10-11 (again 3rd season after draft) but nothing since. Not a good sign though it may have been a numbers game. 7 D places are set so when the multiple injuries hit, whoever among Sauve, KCon, or Polasek gets the call and sticks for the longest, will have boosted their chances big time.

Long term, past this coming season, my money is on Corrado since it's a rare 5th rounder that bags a pro contract after their first camp. Some love there from the brass I should think.

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Coming into this season, Schroeder had almost double the amount of professional games as Hodgson did last year going into the Season.

Schroder #Pro games including the playoffs: 173 games (AHL)

Hodgson #Pro games including playoffs: 83 games (AHL/NHL) At start of training camp.

I think he's probably more ready than Hodgson was last year. He may not have hodgson's size, but he has better wheels to play a two-way game, which appeared to be a major weakness of Hodgson.

People need to realize that for smaller players, it takes alot longer for them to develop properly.

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Schroeder is nowhere near NHL ready.

Sauve is the only rookie that can crack this team's lineup and that is as a fill in.

Jensen received a head injury at the AHL level,there is no way he is ready for playing against men category.

Gaunce is still in diapers.Come on.

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You're one of those people I can't help wonder if you truly believe the idiocy you spout or if you're just trolling.

Gillis has said Schroeder will get an opportunity at the 2nd line center spot, so that should say something about Shcroeder being NHL-ready or not. He was good last year in preseason, but we'll have to see just how successful he can be against full NHL rosters. It's his job to lose though.

Sauve is a good 6/7/8 guy right now, not great but he could do quit well as he has NHL-size and plays a sound defensive game. I think Connauton gets a look before him, but it's close.

Jensen getting a concussion in the playoffs last year means nothing. By your logic, Naslund wasn't ready for the NHL after he got concussed by Steve Moore, and the circumstances surrounding the injuries were very similar as both were caught reaching for the puck. I guess Horton, Crosby, Mitchell, etc are all not ready either, so those teams should tell them to not play NHL level hockey. I would say that's the stupidest comment from your post, but there's one more left.

Gaunce in diapers still? Really? He might be young but is absolutely physically comparable to NHL level players - even at that younger age when draftees are often slimmer than their older counterparts. I'd say he could use at least another year mentally to prepare, but isn't as far off as people think.

Now that I'm done responding to the troll post, I'd say Schroeder has already gotten the vote of confidence from Gillis so is likely to earn a spot while Kesler's out. Beyond that is another story.

Kassian already has a potential roster spot as well, albeit nothing promised beyond the 4th line, but is in the same situation as Schroeder where it's his spot to lose. They could both yet impress further, which would be ideal.

Jensen and Connauton are potentials, and Sauve and Gaunce are dark horses in your list. The D particularly could feature prominently as callups if they don't make the initial roster.

Last but not least is Lack. If Lu is gone by training camp, Lack absolutely has a chance at the backup role but it'll have to depend on if we get a goalie back. Many of these decisions are cloudy at this point since the offseason is only halfway over, so lots could change.

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As I wrote on the Prospects Forum something like 80% of current Nuck players, particularly top 9 F/4 D, saw first action with an NHL club during the third season following their draft, though sometimes much of that third season was spent in the AHL. With be big club the range during that 3rd season was 1 game played (Lapierre) to 80 (Hamhuis). The 4th season was when they established themselves as regulars, spending all or bulk of their time with the big club.

This is precisely the trajectory that Kassian is following. Got his feet wet in year 3 and will likely be a regular in 4.

If Schroeder doesn't see meaningful action in 2012-13--this the 4th year after being drafted--his prospects for a top 9 NHL career will be in serious jeopardy. There are some late bloomers to be sure but most exceptions to the 80% are fourth liners or D men (eg. Bieksa, Garrison).

Jensen is a better bet to make it in 13-14 (his 3rd) as there are at least 8 wingers that are guaranteed or project above him for this coming year. Also, 5 contracts for established forwards will end after 12-13.

For the D corps, Sauve may have taken a step back as he got 5 NHL games in 10-11 (again 3rd season after draft) but nothing since. Not a good sign though it may have been a numbers game. 7 D places are set so when the multiple injuries hit, whoever among Sauve, KCon, or Polasek gets the call and sticks for the longest, will have boosted their chances big time.

Long term, past this coming season, my money is on Corrado since it's a rare 5th rounder that bags a pro contract after their first camp. Some love there from the brass I should think.

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I picked jensen he has size and skill and i was really excited to see him play in the prospects games last season I expect him to push for a job, if a guy as scrawny as Ryan Nugent hopkins can play against men why cant jensen, even jensen doesnt want to play against kids he wants to play agaisnt men thats why he would elect to go to sweden then go back down to juniors if he doesnt make the team.

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Of that list Kassian, although I don't see him as a prospect to be fair. Schroeder would be the top prospect imo. Hopefully he'll make a good 3rd line centre. Lack could make it although I think a veteran goaltender may be a little better for at least one year. Schnieder isn't perfect, he could still use a bit of veteran guidance.

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Added Kassian, didn't have him on there originally because he's already played more games than everybody listed... although seeing as he's by no means guaranteed a spot over any of them, I suppose he's still considered a prospect. Could very well start in the AHL.

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If Kassian truly has been training hard this off season then he will be guaranteed a spot for sure, Schroeder should get a chance while Kesler is out and his performance in that time will decide if he stays longer or not. For a sleeper pick id watch for Billy Sweatt, after all he did crack the lineup last year already.

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Kassian but I don't label him as a prospect anymore. Other then that, little chance of Lack, and Schroeder as a callup, but I don't see anyone else here fulltime. We have no need to rush anyone of these guys.

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I say Jensen makes the team out of camp and contributes in a second/third line role for 50+ games in the NHL. He was right on the edge of making it last season and now he's saying maybe he'll go to Sweden over the AHL, that won't happen. He'll be on the big club, could get as many as 10 goals/25 assists if healthy and not be a liability.

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