Vancouver Canucks Top 25 Under 25: #7 Markus Granlund
By Jeff Godley
The Vancouver Canucks are in the midst of a youth movement. So, let’s take a look at the club’s top youngsters!
If the Vancouver Canucks want to make their ‘rebuild on the fly’ work, they need a strong foundation of young roster players. We all know the Bo Horvats and Ben Huttons of the team, but what’s after that? How are things for the AHL Utica Comets and what can we expect from the Canucks’ next crop of youngsters?
To answer those questions, our staff ranked all signed Vancouver Canucks players under the age of 25. After compiling a list of the top 10 Canucks prospects recently, this is all about who can help today. And guess what, the Canucks only have a total of 26 players under 25 signed and playing in North America right now.
Today we take a look at No. 7, 2011 second-round draft pick Markus Granlund.
#7 – Markus Granlund
Age: 23
Position: Center, Right Wing
Team: Vancouver Canucks (NHL)
NHL Experience: 102 Games
How He Got Here
Markus Granlund spent his junior career playing in his native Finland, working his way up through the ranks with the Kärpät under-16, under-18, and under-20 teams. Granlund was a productive player throughout his time in the junior leagues, averaging over a point per game at every level, and sometimes a lot more.
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He has also represented Finland internationally in several World Junior tournaments. Granlund’s best performance for Team Finland came at the 2011 U-18 World Juniors, where he captained the team and led it in scoring with 10 points in six games.
A few months after that tournament, Granlund was drafted in the second round, 45th overall, by the Calgary Flames. Two years later, in 2013, Granlund signed his entry-level deal, and suited up for seven games with the 2013-14 Flames team. He spent the rest of his time that season playing with Calgary’s AHL affiliate at the time, the Abbotsford Heat. Since his first season Granlund has split his time between the NHL and the AHL.
In February 2016, Markus Granlund was traded to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for 2013 first-round pick Hunter Shinkaruk.
Where He Is Today
In the wake of being traded for Shinkaruk, who was becoming a fan favorite in the Canucks organization, Granlund arrived in Vancouver to a lukewarm reception. His play in his next 16 games with the Canucks did little to endear him to fans; Granlund managed only two goals (one into an empty net) and one assist, while winning only 40 percent of his faceoffs.
Though a natural center, Markus Granlund can play on the wing, and did so last season on the rare night when the Canucks had four healthy centers.
At this point, Granlund does not appear to be ready for anything beyond fourth-line duties. In his draft year, scouts hailed Granlund as a capable two-way forward, who had the tools to score, pass, and play effective defense. Those talents are still there, but Granlund has had trouble adapting them to the NHL game.
However, at age 23 there is still room for him to develop into a full-time NHL player. If he can live up to his potential Granlund could become a useful third-line center with two-way ability; if not, he may find himself spending most of his time in the AHL.
Where He’s Headed
This season, Markus Granlund seems a likely candidate to be the Canucks’ fourth-line center, behind Henrik Sedin, Brandon Sutter and Bo Horvat. He will have some competition for that role in Brendan Gaunce, Michael Chaput and Jayson Megna.
Given his struggles in the faceoff dot and on the defensive side, playing as a winger could benefit Granlund’s development, as it did for Gaunce. In that case, he could line up on the third or fourth lines. Again, however, he will have to fight for a spot, as the Canucks are fairly deep at right wing with the likes of Loui Eriksson, Jannik Hansen, Jake Virtanen, Emerson Etem and Derek Dorsett all vying for playing time.
Since there are so many bottom-six players trying to edge him out of an NHL job, Granlund will need to show up to training camp — hopefully having gained some strength over the summer — and perform well in order to earn a roster spot.
His chief competition at this point would be Brendan Gaunce, who nearly made the Canucks out of training camp last season, and like Granlund can play as a bottom-six center or winger. Gaunce has a large physical advantage over Granlund, so Markus will need to find a way to unleash his talents with and without the puck.
Next: Canucks Top 25 Under 25: #8 Nikita Tryamkin
If Granlund can step up his game, improve on faceoffs, be more defensively responsible and start contributing offensively, he could fill a very useful role for the Canucks. If he underwhelms out of the gate, there are quite a few players wanting to take hisplace.
Time is of the essence for Granlund; he needs to figure out how to earn his keep as an everyday NHL player — and soon.