Canucks: Projecting when defencemen prospects will make the team
By Owen Gibbs
Olli Juolevi
Olli Juolevi is the second defenceman that I see playing his rookie campaign in Vancouver next season. If he does not, I don’t believe that he will ever make it with the team.
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The No. 5 overall pick from 2016 has seen his development hampered considerably by injuries since being drafted. Unless he can break into the NHL within the next year, it is likely that the Canucks will cut Juolevi loose. However, there is a reason for optimism.
So far this season, Juolevi has looked like the offensive defenceman that the Canucks drafted him to be once again. He has 22 points in 39 AHL games while remaining relatively healthy.
So as to recoup his once high value, I predict that the Canucks will give Juolevi every opportunity possible to make an impact in the NHL. If he continues to play as he has in Utica, Juolevi may even get a call-up to the big league by the end of this season — perhaps in the event of an injury to any of Vancouver’s four left-handed defencemen.
However, he needs the opportunity to take a full-time role. Like Rafferty, that may present itself next season. Oscar Fantenberg will be an unrestricted free agent and like Tanev and/or Stecher, he may be expendable come July 1. A space on the left side will be available, and barring the arrival of a big friendly giant, the spot will be Juolevi’s for the taking, albeit having limited minutes.