Vancouver Canucks C Jared McCann: Top Line or Bust

The Vancouver Canucks’ 2014 first-round draft pick, Jared McCann has to develop into a first-line player if he hopes to stay with the organization.

Vancouver Canucks center Jared McCann shows a ton of potential, at times, especially for a 19-year-old. First-line potential. He oozes offensive prowess when his game is on and his confidence up. Looking over the club’s roster, though, he really has to live up to that potential to have a future with the organization.

Topping out as a second-line forward just isn’t going to cut it. Not in Vancouver. Not with the abundance of middle-six guys already piling up.

The Vancouver Canucks are in a position right now to draft one of either Pierre-Luc Dubois or Matthew Tkachuk. The latter projects to be a first-line left winger who plays something of a power forward-playmaker hybrid style while the former projects to be a first line center who can also play on the wing.

Both of these guys are going to be important, though, so if one goes at fourth and the Canucks get the other, that’s fine. Whichever way that plays out.

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With 2015 first-round draft pick Brock Boeser expected to man the right side of the first line after the Sedins retire and one of the above two projected for either the centre or left wing positions, that leaves one spot on the top line open for either a center or left winger depending on who the Canucks draft this year.

Both of which are positions that Jared McCann can play — if he lives up to his potential. And honestly, other than McCann, there’s not really anyone else. Unless you really believe Sven Baertschi or Bo Horvat are a first-line players.

And I don’t. Not to knock them, I just don’t see it.

McCann He? Or McCann He Not?

If you go down the lineup after the first line, it’s tough to see where else McCann could fit in. The 2017-18 season should see Horvat man the second line, likely between Baertschi and Jake Virtanen, while the third line will be centred by Brandon Sutter between Emerson Etem and Anton Rodin. That then leaves the fourth line to be filled in by Markus Granlund, Boeser, and either Tkachuk or Dubois. Those guys are going to need a year before they’re thrown into the fire.

This past season is proof that the fourth line isn’t where you want McCann. Too small to play that kind of game. Not a problem that Tkachuk, Boeser, or Dubois should have, however. Considering they’re all already taller and heavier than McCann is now. At 17 and 18 years old.

Being in Utica to play top-line minutes on the first unit powerplay is where you want McCann. Not on the fourth line getting nine or 10 minutes a night in a role he’s physically not ready for.

The Succession McPlann

After that season, the Sedins are in the final year of their contracts and should really be off the first line by that point. This is where McCann comes in after two seasons of being an all star and team MVP in Utica.

1.Tkachuk/Dubois-McCann-Boeser
2.Sedin-Sedin-Hansen
3.Baertschi-Horvat-Virtanen
4.Etem-Sutter-Rodin
Granlund, Gaunce

This gives the organization a year to give the young guys the top line while you still have a pretty impressive backup plan if they’re not quite ready for a full 82 game schedule of leading the team.

If McCann isn’t ready to be a first-line player, though, the Canucks will have to shop free agency and that leaves McCann likely right back in Utica or on the trade block.

And that’s if he makes it that far. I’ve certainly found it curious that anytime GM Jim Benning talks about the future core, it’s always Horvat, Hutton, Virtanen, Boeser, Thatcher Demko, even Sutter. Yet he never mentions McCann. Strange. Unless he’s already decided McCann isn’t his guy.

But that’s a topic for another day.

Next: 3 Players The Canucks Could Reach for in 1st Draft Round

It’s going to take the Canucks two to three years to assemble another powerhouse roster again but if all goes well, it’s a pretty impressive team. It’s also a young one that could stay dominant for a good long time.

Not to mention that if you have the Sedins on your second or third line and Sutter on your fourth, you’re probably doing alright.