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Vancouver Canucks Prospect Playoff Watch #7

By David Joun

Apr 17, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks fans celebrate the win against the Calgary Flames during the third period in game two of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 17, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks fans celebrate the win against the Calgary Flames during the third period in game two of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports /
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The junior Vancouver Canucks were in action. Now it is time for the pros to raise the level.

The Vancouver Canucks prospects land was relatively quiet the past few days. Now it is about to get louder than ever, as the Utica Comets are set to white out the Utica Auditorium for the second season in a row.

But first, there is yet one remaining junior prospect to mention in the OHL.

C Kyle Pettit (Erie Otters, Conference Finals)

Thanks to the stellar behind-the-scenes defensive work by Canucks prospect centreman Kyle Pettit, the Erie Otters are set to play the London Knights in the 2016 OHL Western Conference Finals. Pettit heads into the series with four goals and an assist in nine playoff games.

I already outlined how great of a faceoff shutdown man he is. He also is a top penalty killer, one who makes sure that he is not in the sin bin himself. He has taken only one minor infraction in the postseason.

He will be put to test once again against a Knights team that features top prospects Mitch Marner and Matthew Tkachuk. Just like last year, wonder if the Cole Cassels effect strikes once again; remember how Cassels shut down then-Otter Connor McDavid in the playoffs and was expected to dominate in the AHL?

Though a shut-down win for the Otters would make Pettit a better player, expectations should be tampered with. His faceoff percentage continued to dazzle, as Pettit now boasts a 72.8 percent win rate. Game one goes this Wednesday, Erie with home ice advantage.

AHL: The Utica Comets

Just one season removed from a spectacular run to the Calder Cup Finals, the Utica Comets are back at it this season.

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After dropping the final game of the season on home ice this past Sunday, the Comets are set to begin the first round of the playoffs against their New York state rivals, the Albany Devils.

The conclusion of the season meant awards time for many Comets. Undrafted forward Carter Bancks took the honours as the coach’s most valuable player and the Comets’ pick for the AHL Man of the Year award.

The 26-year-old left winger has recorded 39 points in the 76 games that he has played this season with the Comets. He seems to have been a key player on the penalty kill for the Comets.

Bancks is not a Canuck property, though, as he was inked to an AHL contract by the Comets at the start of the year. It will be interesting to see if the Canucks sign him to a deal for depth purposes over the offseason.

As a strong defensive forward, Jim Benning wouldn’t mind Bancks returning to provide leadership for the Comets. Also a part of the leadership group, 27-year-old defenceman Taylor Fedun was named the defenceman of the year. He is set to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason, however.

Mike Zalewski took the honours as the year’s most improved player. The 23-year-old forward is set to hit restricted free agency after working himself up to an NHL contract mid-season after starting out on an AHL contract.

C Auston Matthews — Draft Profile Faceoff — LW Pierre-Luc Dubois

The series against the Albany Devils starts this Friday, a best-of-five in which the Comets will start on the road. Compared to last year’s squad, the netminding is certainly a liability.

After finishing the year with the Canucks, Brendan Gaunce, Andrey Pedan, Ronalds Kenins, and Zalewski will be in the Comets lineup to start the playoffs.

The Comets are 2-2-2 against the Devils this season, but without a regulation win. The winner of the series is likely to play the Toronto Marlies in the second round.

Last note, defenceman Carl Neill is on the Comets active roster after finishing the season with the QMJHL Sherbrooke Phoenix. Whether he plays or not is a good question as it was with Jared McCann and Jake Virtanen this time last year.

Next: Offseason Surivial Guide: April Edition

Will the Comets be enough to satiate the hungry Vancouver Canucks fans? It will be crucial for top players like Gaunce and Alex Grenier to lead the charge while rookies like Jordan Subban get their first taste of pro-level playoff hockey.

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