Vancouver Canucks Should Offer Contract to Prospect Lukas Jasek

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Vancouver Canucks prospect Lukas Jasek was not exactly a standout player at the 2017 World Junior Championship. Yet, the Canucks should offer him a contract for next season.

Team Czech Republic and Vancouver Canucks prospect Lukas Jasek won just one of their four preliminary round games — a 2-1 against Team Finland — but it was enough to advance to the quarterfinals. There, the Czechs lost 5-3 to a superior Team Canada.

It was a successful tournament for the Czech team nonetheless, but not exactly a successful one for Jasek.

For Jasek, the world juniors presented the first opportunity to show what he can do against top opposition. After five games, however, Jasek is pointless, with a minus-four rating (for what it’s worth).

But, as we know, it’s not all about stats.

Jasek, a six-foot, 165-pound winger, displayed a nice tool set that might allow him to play in the National Hockey League one day.

The 19-year-old is a quick skater with smooth hands. When he can’t out-skill his opponents, he works extremely hard to generate offence the hard way. Jasek did score a goal after going to the ‘dirty areas’ against Team Denmark, but it was disallowed due to a very clear kicking motion.

Still, that is exactly the type of player Jasek can be at the next level: someone who works hard and does everything it takes to score, while having decent offensive skill.

In addition, Jasek displayed a strong two-way game. He has solid defensive awareness and works hard in all three zones. As a reward, Jasek got time on the penalty kill, and did well in that role.

Coming to North America

Jasek was never opposed to playing in North America. In fact, he wanted to play junior hockey in the CHL this season, but was not allowed to terminate his pro contract back home. If the Canucks offer him a deal, he would likely sign.

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A European prospect with three years of professional experience, Jasek could be a good addition to the AHL Utica Comets. Alternatively, he could start out with the ECHL Alaska Aces and serve as an AHL call-up option in his first year.

So far, Jasek has not been outstanding — neither in Europe nor internationally — but the Canucks have nothing to lose. Worst-case scenario: the experiment fails and Jasek returns to his club in the Czech league.

However, Jasek is certainly the type of player who could succeed in North America by simply working hard. Much like current Canucks forward Jayson Megna, Jasek could be the kind of player who moves up and down the lineup in the NHL and/or AHL.

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If Jasek comes over next season, he would get a chance to prove himself while the Canucks can actively keep an eye on his development.

It’s a win-win.