Vancouver Canucks normal supervisor Jim Benning has been within the information lately as a result of he’s made some strikes to trim his roster. Maybe he plans to turn out to be lively within the free-agent market; maybe he’s clearing area for among the Canucks prospects who may quickly emerge from the pipeline and make their means onto the workforce’s roster.
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If the latter is the case, right here’s a evaluation of three prospects within the Canucks’ system who may quickly present up on the massive workforce’s roster. These gamers embody Olli Juolevi, Jett Woo, Tyler Madden, and for good measure whomever the workforce drafts this 12 months with their eighth total decide.
Prospect One: Olli
Juolevi
The Canucks drafted Olli Juolevi fifth total within the 2016 NHL Entry Draft after which loaned him to TPS Turku of the Finnish Liiga. In 38 video games in Finland, he scored 19 factors. This previous season, Juolevi moved to the Canucks farm workforce, the Utica Comets, and began the season properly (with 13 factors in 18 video games). Nonetheless, in a set again to his improvement, he sustained a meniscus tear that required surgical procedure. Little doubt, this damage and subsequent surgical procedure have slowed his progress.
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When the Canucks drafted Juolevi, they hoped he would develop right into a top-pairing defenseman. Nonetheless, though that may but occur, the group’s preliminary enthusiasm has waned a bit and there’s now hope that Juolevi will turn out to be a top-four defensive participant. If that occurs, it will nonetheless be nice for the Canucks.
Vancouver Canucks defenseman Olli Juolevi, (Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports activities)
Many Canucks followers imagine Juolevi reminds them of a younger Alex Edler. Each play a bit underneath the radar and have “quiet video games.” Each are regular, make few errors, but additionally make few splashy performs. Each are accountable in their very own ends, play with confidence, and are puck-movers. Edler can also be a cultured, team-oriented participant, and one may hope Juolevi fashions Edler in that respect as properly.
Because the Canucks transfer in the direction of solidifying their rebuild over the following few years, I wouldn’t be shocked to see Juolevi rising as a part of that blend. A powerful protection should be a part of that rebuild.
Jett Woo
With one of many nice younger hockey names,
Jett Woo is also getting a number of consideration with Canucks followers due to his
model of play. He’s a banger.
Jett was named after the nice martial arts actor Jet Li. The story goes that Jett received his first title as a result of Woo’s grandfather, who immigrated to Canada and was lively in Winnipeg’s Chinese language neighborhood, was serving to the younger Jet Li transfer to Canada. Though Li determined to maneuver straight to Hollywood as an alternative of coming to Winnipeg, a robust connection remained between the household and the actor.
Jett Woo of the Moose Jaw Warriors. (Marc Smith/Moose Jaw Warriors)
Jett Woo’s dad Larry, a Winnipeg firefighter, who additionally performed junior hockey in Victoria and Swift Present, cherished Li’s title and gave it to his son. Nonetheless, the household added an additional T to the top for good luck.
Woo was picked by the Canucks within the second spherical of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft (37th total). He started underneath the radar, however he’s extra lately turn out to be a shock. At first, he was thought-about extra of a stay-at-home defenseman, and scored a good however not excellent 25 factors in 44 video games within the 2017-18 season with the Moose Jaw Warriors. Nonetheless, this previous season, the hard-hitting, right-side blueliner had an offensive breakout and scored 12 targets and 64 factors in 62 video games – greater than a point-a-game tempo.
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As Benning famous, “He performs the sport with good depth and a focus to element at each ends of the ice.” Woo has turn out to be a fan favourite as a result of he performs with an old-school, smash-mouth model. And, don’t be shocked if, because the Canucks transfer in the direction of their rebuild, he received’t turn out to be a part of the youthful roster. He must be enjoyable to observe.
Tyler Madden
The Canucks drafted heart Tyler Madden within the third spherical (68th total) of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. His small dimension at 5-foot-11, 152 kilos most likely stored him low on the draft chart rankings. Nonetheless, his offensive potential is rising and his robust play is starting to overwhelm any doubts Canucks administration may need had about his dimension.
That his father was long-time New Jersey Devils heart John Madden, who’s head coach of the Cleveland Monsters, can’t harm Madden’s hockey smarts and improvement as a participant. He comes from good hockey lineage. Tyler fashions his sport after his father John, whose pesky, under-sized play made him a priceless contributor for 13 NHL seasons.
The younger Madden’s pace and tenacity stand out, and assist make him a promising two-way, middle-six heart. Nonetheless, if his offense continues to progress, his worth to the group may also progress as properly.
Tyler Madden of the Central Illinois Flying Aces. (Hickling Photos)
Elite Prospects referred to as Madden highly-skilled, with nice lively mobility and powerful hockey sense. The phrase is that he’s a two-way participant with nice puck possession, has a robust shot, a fast launch, and has developed good habits and instincts.
Once more, because the Canucks proceed their rebuild, Madden could be a great participant to observe. Is it an excessive amount of to hope that his offensive potential is just not not like different small-sized but highly-effective present NHL gamers Alex DeBrincat and Johnny Gaudreau? DeBrincat, the Chicago Blackhawks’ 5-foot-7, 165-pounds star, and Gaudreau, the Calgary Flames’ 5-foot-9, 157-pound star, had been thought-about too small to be impression gamers. DeBrincat was drafted 39th total and Gaudreau was drafted 104th total. Nonetheless, look how good they’ve turn out to be.
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Stranger
issues have occurred, so there’s hope for Madden’s continued enchancment.
Going Ahead?
Because the Canucks proceed to rebuild, it will likely be enjoyable for followers to observe among the youthful potential rising from the system. Though Benning has made some apparent errors in his tenure, his talent at drafting gamers is a robust level. Thanks for Elias Pettersson. Let’s hope he’s proper on these younger gamers as properly.
