Canucks: Wingers that are potential mid-round draft targets
There are many winger options the Vancouver Canucks may consider with their mid-round selections.
When it comes to players selected in the third round and beyond, they generally lack one crucial aspect of their game. The Vancouver Canucks scouts look to identify prospects they feel can overcome concerns and develop those deficiencies.
Some are very skilled but are lacking size, while others may show limited offensive upside, and are most suited for a bottom-six role. Here are some of the wingers possibly available when the Canucks select in those rounds.
Veeti Miettinen
2019-2020 Club: Kiekko-Espoo U20 (Jr “A” SM-Liiga Finland)
Position: RW
Height: 5’9″ Weight: 159 lbs
The obvious concern for Veeti Miettinen is his lack of size. However, the St. Cloud State commit will have ample time to bulk up. His skill level is undeniable as he destroyed the Finnish junior league this past season. Miettinen recorded 42 goals and 73 points in 52 games while playing on a weak team. Miettinen remained in junior rather than play in the professional men’s league to maintain his college eligibility.
The talented sniper has a deadly release and tremendous offensive instincts. He is creative, intelligent and possesses exceptionally gifted hands.
Miettinen is very quick on his skates and is a hard worker. If he gains adequate strength while in college, his top-six upside could make him an absolute steal if he’s available when the Canucks select in the third round.
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Brandon Coe
2019-2020 Club: North Bay Battalion (OHL)
Position: RW
Height: 6’4″ Weight: 190 lbs
Another player that registered impressive numbers while playing for a struggling club was Brandon Coe. The Battalion scored the least amount of goals (189) in the Ontario Hockey League last season, while Coe managed 60 points in 57 games.
The third overall selection in the 2017 OHL draft is an all-situation player and is extremely proficient on the forecheck.
Coe is a decent skater with a powerful stride, and he uses his size to protect the puck adequately. His wrist shot is his best offensive weapon, along with a high hockey IQ.
The knock-on Coe is that he lacks consistency and doesn’t bring his “A” game every night. Another concern is that he doesn’t have any exceptional skills. However, he does offer enough strong elements to develop into a reliable middle-six forward if he can find some level of consistency.
Maxim Groshev
2019-2020 Club: Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk (KHL)
Position: RW/LW
Height: 6’2″ Weight: 194 lbs
A player rarely spends most of his season in the Kontinental Hockey League before being eligible for the NHL draft. However, Maxim Groshev accomplished that as well as being named to the Russian World Junior Team, which is also uncommon for a player that age. He recorded seven points in limited duty in the KHL this past season.
Groshev caught my attention with his gritty, determined play in the CIBC Canada-Russia series in November. The big-bodied winger is a prototypical power forward that loves to drive the net. Groshev likes to carry the puck with speed through the neutral zone. His overall skating speed is above average, but his acceleration and starts require work.
Groshev has the potential to be a middle-six forward with limited offensive upside. He does, however, offer a net-front presence and possesses a better-than-average shot. I see him developing into a decent complementary player with strong puck retrieval skills. However, he doesn’t display any elite skills.
Yevgeni Oksentyuk
2019-2020 Club: Flint Firebirds (OHL)
Position: RW/LW
Height: 5’8″ Weight: 163 lbs
The Belarusian forward is the only player on my list that is in his draft-plus season. After going undrafted in the 2019 NHL draft, Yevgeni Oksentyuk opted to come to North America, where he would benefit from greater exposure. He lived up to his fifth overall selection in the 2019 CHL import draft, leading the Firebirds in scoring with 33 goals and 78 points in 58 games. I watched him play several times via OHL live, as he played on the same team as Canucks’ prospect Ethan Keppen.
Oksentyuk is an exceptionally creative playmaker, and he’s a constant pest, which resulted in him also leading the team in penalty minutes. His shot is hard, and his release deceiving, but his accuracy is questionable. The combination of skill and the edge that he plays with makes him an intriguing option. His size is concerning, but he may develop into a player with middle-six capability with potential offensive upside.
Daniel Torgersson
2019-2020 Club: Frolunda HC J20 (SuperElit)
Position: RW/LW
Height: 6’3″ Weight: 205 lbs
Swedish winger Daniel Torgersson provides a big-bodied net-front presence. He netted 26 goals and added 18 assists in 39 games for his junior club last season. He also appeared in six games in the SHL but failed to register a point. Additionally, Torgersson played 13 games with the Sweden U18 squad managing 10 points. His skating is impressive, particularly for a player with a large frame. Torgersson is more of a complementary player than one who drives the play. However, the blend of size and speed contribute to making him an intriguing prospect.
The questionable side of his game is his lack of creativity and playmaking skills and the fact that he doesn’t use his size to full advantage.
Ryan Francis
2019-2020 Club: Cape Breton Eagles (QMJHL)
Position: RW/C
Height: 5’9″ Weight: 168 lbs
Diminutive forward, Ryan Francis finished second amongst first-time draft-eligible players in the QMJHL, behind only Alexis Lafreniére. Injuries to other top prospects, along with having solid linemates were contributing factors. Nevertheless, his 72 points in 61 games provided a 40 point improvement from the previous season. Francis plays an up-tempo style that creates excitement. His creativity and crafty playmaking, along with an accurate shot, make him dangerous in the offensive zone. Francis is used in all situations and provides an ultra compete-level. His defensive game is a work in progress that is consistently improving.
His lack of size is a concern and poses the question as to whether his skills are elite enough to allow him to produce at the next level. However, he is very determined, and the team that takes a chance on him may find a diamond in the rough.
Oliver Suni
2019-2020 Club: Oshawa Generals (OHL)
Position: RW
Height: 6’2″ Weight: 187 lbs
Finnish winger, Oliver Suni exploded onto the scene after joining the Oshawa Generals last season. In a four-game stretch early in the season, he registered nine points. However, a shoulder injury in early December led to struggles following his return to the lineup. Suni only managed five points in the last 13 games before cancellation of the remainder of the season. His 32 points in 43 games were not representative of his offensive potential as he sat second in points per game for rookies at the time of his injury. Suni represented Finland at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, adding three assists in three contests.
Along with his size, other attributes that make him a fascinating prospect are his skating and stickhandling abilities. Those skills allow him to be successful in zone entries. Suni also provides an effective forecheck, and his puck possession skills are above average.
The negative aspects of his game are that he isn`t overly creative and has limited offensive upside. Additionally, Suni needs to add strength to have success at higher levels.
Oskar Magnusson
2019-2020 Club: Malmo Redhawks J20 (SuperElit)
Position: W/C
Height: 5’10” Weight: 165 lbs
A nice blend of speed and agility make versatile Swedish forward Oskar Magnusson a compelling prospect. His 48 points in 38 games are a testament to his offensive ability. Magnusson represented Sweden at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and partook in four SHL games this past season. However, he didn`t register a point at either of those encounters. His ability to change the angle of his shot and a quick release make him a goal-scoring threat at the junior level. Magnusson has a solid work ethic, a responsible defensive game, and is a capable penalty killer.
Once again, size and strength are a concern, and both need to improve to have future success.
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These are just some of the prospects that may be available to the Canucks if they are looking to add to their prospect pool depth on the wings.