Scout’s Evaluation: Early draft targets for the Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks are within the midst of tearing down and rebuilding their roster, a technique that isn’t for the faint of coronary heart. It takes time to restock an NHL roster by way of the draft and free company. The fragile strategy of piecing collectively a future roster consists of choosing top-level expertise and figuring out the form of character participant the group values as a centrepiece within the course of. It’s one factor to draft the very best participant out there. Selecting the prospect who will turn out to be a part of the group’s aggressive DNA is equally necessary.
Right here’s a take a look at some goal for the Canucks to think about at this yr’s NHL Draft.
VANCOUVER CANUCKS OUTLOOK
Vancouver didn’t end final total accidentally. The group’s statistical breakdown speaks for itself.
One of many shiny lights for Vancouver, nevertheless, was the affect Linus Karlsson had in his first full NHL season. He has some rising to do defensively, however it was spectacular to see the offensive totals he put up (15 targets, 35 factors) in relation to his common ice time per sport (12:27). It’s additionally price noting Karlsson scored 13 of his targets at even power and that he was credited with 83 hits on the yr as nicely.
Filip Hronek, in my view, was the Canucks’ MVP this season. He averaged 25 minutes per sport of ice time and was deployed in all conditions whereas trying to defend in opposition to prime traces on each shift of each sport.
Right here’s a take a look at who their prime scorers have been this season:
Right here’s a take a look at the draft capital the Canucks at the moment personal for the following three seasons:
The primary-round picks Vancouver owns this season are their very own (which will probably be first second or third total) and the Wild’s which, at present, could be twenty fourth total however may nonetheless change relying on their playoff end result.
The Canucks can have the very best odds to win the draft lottery, with a 25.5 per cent likelihood of ending up with the primary total choose. Nonetheless, in the event that they do fall, it may well’t be any decrease than third.
Within the second spherical, the Canucks maintain their very own choose, which will probably be thirty third total, and San Jose’s, which is forty second.
All advised, the Canucks have an ideal alternative to maneuver their rebuild ahead this June on the draft in Buffalo.
Listed below are some gamers I might advocate focusing on:
Gamers to focus on at first, second, or third total
Ivar Stenberg, 5-foot-11, 183 kilos, left shot ahead, Frolunda (SHL)
Stenberg had some of the prolific scoring seasons for a draft eligible participant within the historical past of the SHL. He contributed 11G-22A taking part in in Sweden’s prime professional league. On the worldwide stage, Stenberg has led by instance along with his competitiveness, three-zone element and offensive affect. He was a giant a part of the explanation Group Sweden have been victorious on the world juniors, producing 4G-6A and being deployed in all conditions.
Gavin McKenna, 6-foot, 170 kilos, left shot ahead, Penn State (NCAA)
McKenna is an offensive dynamo who can change the momentum of the sport on his personal with the talent he presents. He ended his freshman season at Penn State with 15G-36A in 35 video games performed. McKenna gained’t kill penalties on the NHL stage, however his defensive element improved exponentially after Christmas this yr.
Caleb Malhotra, 6-foot-2, 182 kilos, left shot centre, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)
Malhotra is a whole participant. He’s deployed in a wide range of roles on the OHL stage and contributed 29G-55A in 67 common season video games this yr. He’s at the moment competing within the OHL playoffs and has already produced 8G-5A in seven video games. His group in Brantford has a chance to go on a deep run this spring, which might permit the Canucks to watch him intently in high-leverage situations.
The next clip is an instance of the form of element and compete Malhotra gives defensively. He loses the face-off, however doesn’t chase the play. He stays glued to his verify till he decides to spill to the flank to dam a shot. After corralling the puck, he assaults up ice with velocity which ends up in offensive zone possession for his group.
Technique within the prime three
I’ve determined to strategize choosing one of many prime three forwards from my draft listing. As a lot as I worth the proper shot defencemen (Chase Reid and Keaton Verhoeff) I really feel Malhotra is the highest centre within the draft class. His sport jogs my memory of Nick Suzuki on the similar age and I consider he’ll turn into Vancouver’s prime centre in time.
On observe is that Malhotra is at the moment dedicated to Boston College for subsequent fall. It is going to be attention-grabbing to watch his course of after the draft. Would he signal a professional contract and take a run at making the NHL subsequent fall, return for a second yr within the OHL, or wait a yr to signal and as an alternative develop subsequent season at BU?
Gamers to focus on at twenty fourth total
Vancouver will nonetheless have tons to select from by the point this slot arrives. I might stick to the sport plan of drafting the very best out there participant and remove any positional bias within the course of. It’s by no means clever to draft for want within the first-round. Vancouver’s technique has to incorporate including probably the most priceless belongings for his or her group and likewise one that can carry worth exterior the group in case of trades down the road.
Liam Ruck, 6-foot, 177 kilos, proper shot winger, Medication Hat Tigers (WHL)
Ruck completed second to his brother Markus within the WHL scoring race with 45G-59A in 68GP. He performs the sport fast and shows an additional gear in transition when required. His objective output clearly shows his aggressiveness in terms of ripping the puck on internet. There’s an excellent likelihood that Liam can have already been picked earlier than this slot, but when he’s out there I’m already envisioning him and Malhotra on the prime of the Canucks’ lineup sometime.
JP Hurlbert, 5-foot-11, 183 kilos, proper shot centre, Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
Hurlbert exploded on to the scene within the WHL this season after making the transfer from the USNTDP. He completed fourth in league scoring with 42G-55A. The majority of his ice time got here at even power and on the ability play. Hurlbert is dedicated to Michigan subsequent fall.
Participant to focus on at thirty third total
This slot is as priceless as a late first-round choice and I’m hoping Vancouver takes full benefit.
Tommy Bleyl, 5-foot-10, 165 kilos, proper shot defence, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
Bleyl is a dynamic, transitional defenceman and energy play quarterback. After I take into account the upside Zeev Buium gives Vancouver as a left-shot defenceman, I see Bleyl offering the Canucks with a one-two punch offensively from the again finish. Bleyl produced 13G-68A within the common season this yr.
Participant to focus on at forty second total
At this stage of the second spherical I definitely nonetheless need to choose the very best participant out there, however I additionally need to insulate our prospect pool with relentless opponents who current an “A” and “B” sport. When the participant isn’t scoring, for instance, I’m looking for a prospect who will make life depressing for our opponent with an in depth strategy defensively and hopefully bodily push again.
Jack Hextall, 6-foot, 188 kilos, left shot centre, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
Hextall is the form of participant who will be slotted into a wide range of roles up and down the lineup. I’m comfy projecting him as a middle-six NHL ahead. The best way he approaches the sport in all three zones leads me to consider he can play the wing in addition to centre if required. Hextall is a Michigan State commit who produced 20G-38A in 59 common season video games with the Phantoms this yr.
This yr will probably be an important draft for the Canucks as they chart a brand new path. My technique has tried to determine not solely among the finest gamers out there, but additionally ones who will present the group with the character and identification it desperately wants so as to add transferring ahead.
