Vancouver Canucks preseason: Top 5 players too risky to put on waivers

No. 2 F Anton Rodin

Last season was a disappointment for Anton Rodin, who is now one year removed from an MVP year in the Swedish Hockey League. The forward is a smaller-sized scorer who has all the skill to make the NHL. But he has yet to prove himself ready physically for the NHL.

The Canucks may be looking at a potential top-six calibre talent who will surely help on the powerplay as long as he gets the ice time. It is true that the offseason so far does not look good for Rodin but the potential there is something that is too risky to put on waivers.

At 26 years of age, he is among the younger players who are eligible for the waivers. Plus, his contract runs out at the end of the season so teams may feel that he is a rental option.

As the Swedish league’s MVP “Golden Helmet” winner, Rodin is a high-profile name in the hockey world and he will most surely be picked up if he is put on waivers. The result may be him finding a new top-six gig with another team and the Canucks kicking themselves in the foot for not giving Rodin more chances.

After all, Rodin has barely played any hockey since his knee flared up again this time last year. It is hard to judge him after just one preseason game that was very disoriented due to the split-squad, back-to-back nature.

He will be under the microscope for the rest of the preseason on whether he can meet the demands of the NHL and get back to his pre-injury form.