Vancouver Canucks Prospects Showdown highlights Pettersson, Gaudette
By David Joun
3. Griffen Molino & Michael Carcone are underrated
As wingmen for Gaudette playing on the top line for Team Blue, Griffen Molino and Michael Carcone showed flashes of great speed and skill. Thanks to the trio’s well-rounded two-way game that relied heavily on speed, the line singlehandedly generated all three goals for Team White, all off the rush.
After the July 1st signings of Sam Gagner and Alex Burmistrov, many Canucks fans were wondering where Nikolay Goldobin would fit, whether Jake Virtanen should return to the AHL and if Brendan Gaunce still had a place in the Canucks lineup.
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Why is Griffen Molino not among those names being considered for a spot in the NHL, come Opening Day?
Molino embodies the new Canuck mentality. He has great foot speed that he uses offensively and defensively. His defensive reliability has already been proven in the five late-season games he played last season with Vancouver.
I believe that Molino’s inability to finish chances at the NHL level has led fans to think of him as a depth forward with no offensive upside. Molino is underrated like that. At the AHL level Molino will be a top-notch forward capable of 50 points playing on a skilled line. You heard it here first.
Michael Carcone
Complimenting Gaudette and Molino was undrafted Michael Carcone, the 21-year-old forward who has a small 5-foot-10, 170-pound frame. He scored five goals and 18 points in 61 games with the Utica Comets last season.
Carcone caught the attention of the Canucks last season during development camp, prompting them to sign him to an AHL-contract. Carcone’s ability to score may not have come through at the professional level yet, but his performance on Thursday suggested that he may be able to double his offensive output next year in Utica.
When Molino and Carcone light up the AHL next year playing together for a skilled centre in Utica, do not be surprised.