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Vancouver Canucks Prospects Playoffs Watch Week 1

By David Joun

Apr 10, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Boston College Eagles goalie Thatcher Demko (30) makes a save against the Union Dutchmen during the second period in the semifinals of the Frozen Four college ice hockey tournament at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Boston College Eagles goalie Thatcher Demko (30) makes a save against the Union Dutchmen during the second period in the semifinals of the Frozen Four college ice hockey tournament at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
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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 /

The AHL: The Utica Comets

The days of the Manitoba Moose failing to get into the playoffs is long gone. Here they are, the Utica Comets, who are set for another run at the Calder Cup!

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Except the Vancouver Canucks just called up the top three players on their roster, that is. The Canucks recalled Brendan Gaunce and Andrey Pedan to the NHL and those two will join Alex Grenier. That leaves Jordan Subban, the rookie AHL defenceman, as the leader in points on the Comets roster. With Markus Granlund out, now do you want Hunter Shinkaruk back, Mr. Jim Benning?

The Comets are third in the North Division with 16 games remaining in the AHL schedule this season. With a seven-point lead over the fourth-place (and the wild-card) Rochester Americans, the Comets are in a pretty good spot for the time being. Perhaps that buffer zone can help the Comets out while Gaunce, Grenier, and Pedan are with the Canucks.

By the looks of it, the Comets are bound to face the Albany Devils in the first round of the playoffs. After getting solid netminding from Jakob Markstrom last year, the weakest link in the Comets chain might be between the pipes. Joe Cannata has essentially split duties with Richard Bachman, the combining for some .900 save percentage.

Which of these players will make it to their respective championships, we do not know. But Prospects Watch Playoff Style kicks off with eight prospects in the mix as well as the Utica Comets. Who will survive? It is great to finally be able to talk about more than just a handful of sub-par prospects being silent in the juniors.

One lesson, though, that the Canucks should learn from last year is that dominance in the junior playoffs does not directly translate to NHL readiness. Just look at Cole Cassels, eh?

Next: Canucks TOP 10 Prospects COUNTDOWN

No intent to be tough on the rookie Comet but his dominance in the playoffs was overvalued by the fanbase. Nevertheless, who knows when the next Ben Hutton could happen for the Canucks? More to come!

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