Vancouver Canucks: 8 European Players Vancouver Could Target

Jan 2, 2016; Dusseldorf, Germany; Dusseldorfer EG goalie Mathias Niederberger (35) guards the net against the Straubing Tigers during the second period at the ISS Dome. Dusseldorfer EG won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Janik Beichler - NRW Hockey
Jan 2, 2016; Dusseldorf, Germany; Dusseldorfer EG goalie Mathias Niederberger (35) guards the net against the Straubing Tigers during the second period at the ISS Dome. Dusseldorfer EG won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Janik Beichler - NRW Hockey /
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Mar 17, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; View of Rogers Arena before the start of the first period as the Vancouver Canucks host the Philadelphia Flyers at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports /

Outlook

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It is never easy to predict which European players are ready to make the jump to North America. However, Europe’s league are full of talented players who have enough potential to make it eventually.

Will it be any of the players listed above? Who knows.

What we do know is that the Vancouver Canucks have always had European players in key roles — elite players like Pavel Bure, Markus Naslund and the Sedin twins. They are not afraid to sign European guys like Anton Rodin or Nikita Tryamkin and, honestly, there is no reason to be.

Every hockey player, including Europeans, dreams of playing in the NHL one day. So if a player gets an offer to come to North America and be a part of an NHL franchise, he seldom says no, no matter what kind of contract he is getting. In other words, European players — especially undrafted — are cheap low-risk signings.

Next: Picking Defence at 2016 Draft

The Vancouver Canucks need any help they can get, no matter where it comes from. Knowing that they have capable prospects in the system and several options available in North American college and junior leagues, as well European pro leagues, gives a little hope that the rebuild will be faster than that of the Edmonton Oilers.

One can always hope.