Vancouver Canucks: 8 European Players Vancouver Could Target
D Linus Hultstrom
Another European who is reportedly drawing NHL interest is 23-year-old Swedish defenceman Linus Hultstrom, teammate of Mantas Armalis at Djugardens.
According to Elliotte Friedman, the Florida Panthers are expected to sign Hultstrom soon, but the Vancouver Canucks should certainly take a good look at him as long as they still can.
From Elite Prospects:
"Hultström is an offensive defenseman with a good point shot. Excels on the powerplay and likes to join the rush. Skilled passer and overall a creative and smart defenseman. Defensively, there is room for improvement. (EP 2015)"
Hultstrom is a right-handed defenceman, covering an area of weakness for the Canucks. Like all European players, he is a bit of a wild card, especially since defence is his main area of weakness. His 5-foot-11, 180-pound frame does not exactly help him in that regard.
A strong offensive defenceman who excels on the powerplay but has defensive weaknesses sounds a lot like Yannick Weber, whom Jim Benning demoted to the American Hockey League late this season. However, Hultstrom would be signed to a cheap two-way deal, not a one-way contract that pays him $1.5 million like it is the case for Weber.
Hultstrom is a young defenceman who will be a low-risk signing for whichever team he ends up with. Over the past two seasons, he combined for 22 goals and 64 points in 100 games and should be able to contribute a lot offensively.
Next: D Nils Andersson