Vancouver Canucks 2017-18 prospects watch Week 1: A Dominant Start

American Hockey League (Forwards)

Despite heightened expectations, the Utica Comets are off to a shaky start, losing both their games this week to start the season 0-2-0. They did play those games against the Toronto Marlies, the farm team for the Toronto Maple Leafs who boast a great prospect depth.

Up front, Reid Boucher and Nikolay Goldobin are leading the charge. They were two of the last forwards to be cut from the Canucks camp and they will have to prove themselves to be worthy of a call-up by performing at the top of their games in the AHL.

So far, that seems to have happened.

Though Boucher leads in points and assists (mostly from the PP), the most promising player thus far seems to be Goldobin, who had the lone goal in the season opener.

Meanwhile, Joseph LaBate is leading the Comets in shots with seven over two games. This season is likely the final one he spends with the Utica Comets, as I envision him either making the Canucks next season or being let go to find an opportunity with another NHL club.

Former Canucks Michael Chaput and Jayson Megna have failed to be positive influences. Speedy forward Griffen Molino has had a better start than either one of them while forward Darren Archibald, who nearly made the Canucks this preseason, is quiet so far.

It should be noted that forward Anton Rodin is sitting out after being cut from the Canucks camp. In order to be compliant with AHL-NHL veteran rules, he is being scratched. The US visa complications also kept Rodin from practising with the squad.Expect him to draw into the lineup in the next couple of games.