The Vancouver Canucks are beginning to construct a robust prospect pool. Whether or not by means of the draft, commerce or free company, there are fairly just a few prospects who might make an impression on the NHL stage sooner quite than later. With the 2024-25 season scheduled to begin in lower than a month, here’s a have a look at the highest ten prospects in Vancouver’s system.
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Observe: To qualify for this checklist, gamers should be 23 or underneath and have performed fewer than 25 NHL video games. Gamers are ranked based mostly on age, place, league, and general efficiency in the course of the 2023-24 season.
Related: Vancouver Canucks Top 10 Prospects: Pre-2024 NHL Entry Draft Edition
Honourable Point out. Josh Bloom- Abbotsford Canucks, AHL
LW, 6’2″, 185 lbs- Commerce with the Buffalo Sabres
After successful the Memorial Cup in June, Josh Bloom seems to be able to make the soar to the professional recreation. Whereas he might spend a while within the ECHL based mostly on the logjam with the Abbotsford Canucks, what’s most necessary is that he will get constant minutes and time on particular groups. With the best growth, Bloom has the potential to be a bottom-six ahead on the NHL stage who may also contribute to the penalty kill.
10. Kirill Kudryavtsev- Abbotsford Canucks, AHL
LD, 6’0″, 201 lbs- Spherical 7, 208th Total in 2022
Kirill Kudryavtsev is slowly turning into the steal of the 2022 NHL Draft. After averaging over 24 and a half minutes per recreation with the Soo Greyhounds, the 20-year-old defender is anticipated to make the soar to the professional stage and spend the season in each the AHL and ECHL. Voted the OHL’s Western Convention Most Underrated Participant within the 2023-24 coaches ballot, Kudryavtsev’s mixture of playmaking and talent to win puck battles makes him a really intriguing prospect shifting ahead.
9. Arshdeep Bains– Abbotsford Canucks, AHL
LW, 6’0″, 183 lbs- Undrafted Free Agent
Arshdeep Bains has been discovered cash for the Canucks ever since he signed with the workforce in 2022. Not solely did he make his NHL debut final season, however he was additionally named MVP of the AHL All-Star Traditional. Whereas he’s projected to begin the 12 months within the AHL, Bains must be one of many first gamers to obtain a call-up this season if accidents hit Vancouver.
8. Sawyer Mynio- Seattle Thunderbirds, WHL
LD, 6’1″, 181 lbs- Spherical 3, 89th Total in 2023
After taking one other step ahead in his growth final 12 months, Sawyer Mynio is projected to be one of many prime defensemen within the WHL this season. He probably will see a bump up in ice time from 27 minutes an evening to over 30 and might be in consideration for a spot on Group Canada at this 12 months’s World Juniors. A pacesetter for the Seattle Thunderbirds, he must be over a degree per recreation on the finish of the 2024-25 season.
7. Cole McWard– Abbotsford Canucks, AHL
RD, 6’1″, 192 lbs- Undrafted Free Agent
Cole McWard is one other participant who must be excessive on the call-up checklist this season. Coming into his second skilled season, the 23-year-old is projected to play a vital position in Abbotsford’s prime 4 this 12 months, which also needs to embody time on particular groups. If given the chance, McWard ought to be capable of thrive, which can result in a full-time spot on the NHL roster in 2025-26.
6. Melvin Fernström- Örebro HK Jr., J20 Nationell
RW, 6’2″, 187 lbs- Spherical 3, 93rd Total in 2024
With their first decide on the 2024 NHL Draft, the Canucks chosen extremely expert winger Melvin Fernström, who lit up the J20 Nationell final season. Whereas he has solely been a part of the group for just a few months, Fernström has already delivered some spectacular performances, together with at Growth Camp in addition to in his first few video games of the J20 Nationell season. A prospect who might be in consideration for Group Sweden’s World Junior workforce, Fernström ought to be capable of produce loads of highlights for followers in Vancouver to look at all year long.
Related: Canucks 2024 NHL Draft Spotlight, Brought To You By Upper Deck: Melvin Fernström
5. Elias Pettersson– Abbotsford Canucks, AHL
LD, 6’4″, 209 lbs- Spherical 3, eightieth Total in 2022
One of many many full-time additions to Abbotsford’s roster this 12 months might be defenceman Elias Pettersson. The 20-year-old has developed right into a bodily defender who, as a teen, was typically averaging over 17 minutes an evening on the HockeyAllsvenskan stage final season. Whereas there’s a logjam on the blue line within the AHL, Pettersson is projected to be given loads of alternatives to point out why he is likely one of the prime prospects within the group.
“Everyone’s dream is to play within the NHL, and that’s my dream. I’m going to work laborious each season, after which when my time comes, we’ll see if I am prepared for that. I’ll do every little thing I can to play for Vancouver.”
-Elias Pettersson (D-Petey) on coming to North America pic.twitter.com/XDFRSCdPx4
— Canucks Insider (@CanucksInsider) August 14, 2024
4. Aatu Räty- Abbotsford Canucks, AHL
C, 6’2″, 194 lbs- Commerce with the New York Islanders
The 2024-25 marketing campaign is an enormous one for Aatu Räty. The 21-year-old should not solely present he is able to make the soar to the NHL but in addition that he is usually a middle on the professional stage. Count on Räty as soon as once more to be one among Abbotsford’s prime level producers whereas additionally receiving no less than one call-up in the course of the season.
Related: Why Canucks Prospect Aatu Räty Playing Another Year In The AHL Is Not A Bad Thing
3. Artūrs Šilovs- Vancouver Canucks, NHL
G, 6’4″, 216 lbs- Spherical 6, 156th Total in 2019
After a exceptional playoff efficiency, Artūrs Šilovs has solidified himself as Vancouver’s backup this season. The 23-year-old might be referred to as on a good bit this 12 months, particularly if Thatcher Demko will not be 100% in the beginning of the marketing campaign. Top-of-the-line younger goaltenders within the NHL, Šilovs has already developed into one of many steals of the 2019 NHL Draft.
2. Tom Willander– Boston College, NCAA
RD, 6’1″, 179 lbs- Spherical 1, eleventh Total in 2023
Tom Willander stays the Canucks greatest defensive prospect. The 19-year-old is returning to Boston College in 2024-25 and must be one of many prime defensemen within the NCAA this season. Projected to play a big position for Group Sweden on the World Juniors, the large query is whether or not Willander will decide to spend a further 12 months within the NCAA or signal his ELC on the finish of the season.
Related: Tom Willander Discusses Canucks Development Camp, Friendship With Aiden Celebrini & More
1. Jonathan Lekkerimäki- Abbotsford Canucks, AHL
RW, 5’11”, 172 lbs- Spherical 1, fifteenth Total in 2022
The primary prospect in Vancouver’s system is a simple selection, particularly after the season Jonathan Lekkerimäki put collectively. His 19 targets have been the eleventh most by a U20 participant in SHL historical past, whereas his trophy case was full of a number of awards starting from World Juniors MVP to SHL Rookie of the Yr. Whereas he might begin the season within the AHL, Lekkerimäki has the potential not simply to obtain a call-up however be a part of the Canucks lineup in the beginning of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
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