Canucks: Centres that are potential third round draft targets
The Vancouver Canucks will have several options with their third-round selection at the 2020 NHL draft.
There are plenty of quality centres that the Vancouver Canucks could consider with their 2020 third-round draft pick, should they choose to address that need. Here are some players that may be available according to various draft rankings, and the distinct qualities each has to offer.
Dylan Peterson
2019-2020 club: U.S. National Team Development Program U-18
Position: Centre/Right wing
Height: 6’4″ 192 lbs.
Lanky forward Dylan Peterson slipped dramatically in the draft rankings throughout the season. Many scouting sites saw him as a potential early second-round pick at the outset of the campaign. Peterson is a likely a mid-to-late third-round selection in the latest rankings.
His production numbers didn’t measure up to his skill set, managing just eight goals and 17 assists in 45 games. My first recollection of Peterson was at the Four Nations Tournament in December 2018, where he set up both goals for the U.S. in a 3-2 overtime loss to Russia in the final game of that event.
Peterson is a relatively good skater with decent top-end speed and a long powerful stride. His agility and edgework are better than average for someone his size, although his starts need improvement. He uses his size and slick stickhandling ability proficiently to protect the puck, thus affording him the time to utilize his adept playmaking skills.
Peterson displays a hard, accurate shot that he doesn’t use often enough, evidenced by the 13 games he failed to register a shot on goal. He uses his size adequately on the forecheck as well as when he’s engaged in puck battles.
Defensively, Peterson uses his long reach to take away passing lanes, works hard when back-checking, and his overall positioning is reliable.My biggest concern is his lack of consistency. On five separate occasions this past season, Peterson went three or more games without registering a point. However, his size and skills are fascinating should he realize his full potential.
Peterson is committed to Boston University for the 2020-2021 campaign and will have sufficient time to develop into a power-forward role before entering professional hockey.
Blake Biondi
2019-2020 club: Hermantown High (USHS); Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
Position: Centre/Right wing
Height: 6’0″ 181 lbs.
Another player Vancouver should consider is high school centre, Blake Biondi. The high-energy team captain was the 2020 recipient of the Mr. Hockey Award for the State of Minnesota. Biondi turned down the opportunity to play with the USNTDP to remain with his high school team.
More from The Canuck Way
- Which team won the Bo Horvat trade?
- What to expect from newcomers Anthony Beauvillier, Aatu Räty
- Back to the future: How the skate uniforms became a regular Canucks’ feature night
- Canucks kick off 2023 with disappointing 6-2 loss to Islanders
- 2nd period penalty trouble sinks Canucks in 4-2 loss against Winnipeg
He finished second in league scoring with a remarkable 37 goals and 39 assists in 25 games, while adding ten goals and 19 points in six playoff games.
Biondi also played ten games in the USHL registering three points. He has also represented the United States on the international stage at the U-17 World Hockey Challenge and the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
One aspect of his game that stood out when I watched him play was his quick, explosive first few steps, although, his top-end speed is average. Biondi has a non-stop motor and plays with a bit of an edge.
He is fearless when he drives to the net and shows physicality on the forecheck. A hard, accurate shot is another strong-point of his game, as is his stickhandling ability. His hockey IQ is extremely high, and his vision and overall offensive awareness are top-notch.
A couple of areas that he needs to work on are his passing accuracy, and in the defensive zone, he occasionally gets caught watching the puck and loses his check. Biondi could also stand to lengthen his stride to improve his overall skating speed.
He is committed to the University of Minnesota-Duluth for the 2020-2021 season.
Tristen Robins
2019-2020 club: Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
Position: Centre/Right wing
Height: 5’10” 174 lbs.
A sensational second half of the season for forward Tristen Robins made for a very crowded hype train. In his last 32 games, Robins amassed 53 points to finish the season with 73 points to lead the Blades in scoring.
That total was third among first-time draft-eligible players in the Western Hockey League, behind only Seth Jarvis and Connor Zary. Both of whom rank as first rounders. Robins was elevated to top-six duty when Kirby Dach made the Blackhawks’ roster, but it was as a winger. When Eric Florchuk was traded to the Vancouver Giants in early January, Robins earned a promotion to the first-line centre position, and that’s when things started to take off.
Robins is a dynamic skater with superior agility and edgework. Those attributes, combined with a high sense of awareness and high-end playmaking skills, make him a fascinating player. Robins is extraordinarily competitive and brings it every shift, and despite his small frame, he is fearless in front of the net. He is exceptionally shifty and capable of making plays at top speed. Robins plays a complete game and is very responsible defensively with great anticipation.
Added strength and improved faceoffs are areas that will need enhancement for Robins to have success at the next level. However, with his determination, I am confident he can develop into a decent player. He is a player with a lot of promise that I would love to see the Canucks draft.
Evan Vierling
2019-2020 club: Barrie Colts (OHL)
Position: Centre
Height: 6’0″ 168 lbs.
One player that I’ve had the opportunity to watch on several occasions, via OHL Live, is centre Evan Vierling. He started the season with the Flint Firebirds, where he had Canucks prospect, Ethan Keppen, as a teammate.
An early January trade sent Vierling to the Barrie Colts, where another Canucks prospect, Arturs Silovs, plays. After joining the Colts, Vierling registered 12 goals and 22 assists in 28 games to finish the season at just over a point per game, with 44 points in 43 total games between the two clubs.
Vierling is a smart two-way player that excels in the defensive zone. He is a terrific skater with exceptional agility and edge work and uses his incredible top-end speed to pull away from his check to create scoring opportunities. Vierling has excellent vision and has a pass-first mentality, although his shot is deceptively hard when he uses it.
His hockey awareness is commendable in all three zones. He may not have the same offensive upside as some of the prospects that may be available when the Canucks make their selection. However, when you have a high hockey IQ, an elite skating ability, and a responsible defensive game, the value is undoubtedly there to support such a selection.
Dmitri Ovchinnikov
2019-2020 club: Sibirskie Snaipery Novosibirsk (MHL)
Position: Centre/Wing
Height: 5’10” 161 lbs.
Undersized forward, Dmitri Ovchinnikov is considered a boom or bust prospect, and someone I’d like to see the Canucks take a chance on. His skill set is similar to that of Vierling in that both are exceptional skaters with high-end playmaking skills and a responsible defensive game.
Similarly, both averaged just over a point per game, with Ovchinnikov managing 55 points in 54 games. Furthermore, the pair both require additional strength to have continued success. The points total for Ovchinnikov showed a remarkable improvement over the seven points that he recorded the previous season. Additionally, Ovchinnikov played two games in the Kontinental Hockey League. He has an August birthday, making him one of the younger draft-eligible prospects.
Even though Ovchinnikov is small, he doesn’t shy away from traffic. His elite skating with dynamic edge work makes him extremely elusive and capable of avoiding open-ice checks. Ovchinnikov can shift gears and he is an extremely dangerous threat off the rush. He has terrific vision and awareness and the instincts to anticipate plays before they happen. His shot is extremely accurate — and a deadly weapon that he uses when the opportunity presents itself.
Whether these skills translate to success at higher levels is a concern, and he will undoubtedly need to become stronger to have any chance of playing in the NHL. However, the rapid advancement of his offensive statistics over the past season is worthy of consideration.
Ty Tullio
2019-2020 club: Oshawa Generals (OHL)
Position: Centre/Wing
Height: 5’9″ 161 lbs.
Another intriguing prospect that the Canucks may want to consider is versatile forward Ty Tullio. He is a player that I’ve watched several times with my OHL Live subscription, as he played alongside Philip Tomasino, who has been one of my favourite players to view the past couple of seasons. Albeit undersized, Tullio plays an abrasive agitating style, often getting under opponents’ skin. In 62 games last season, he produced 27 goals and 39 assists.
The aspect of his game that stands out is his relentless pursuit of the puck. His explosive first step and non-stop motor make him a constant pest. Tullio displays terrific edge work and agility and a change of pace that allows him to get past defenders.
His creativity and vision, along with excellent stickhandling skills, enable him to dictate the pace of the game. Tullio possesses the ability to find open ice where he can utilize the one-timer he likes to use, particularly on the power play. Additionally, Tullio uses his quickness and anticipation to intercept passes, and his positioning and overall defensive game are admirable.
The fact that he plays well with skilled players makes him a realistic top-six option should he gain much-needed size and strength.
Jack Finley
2019-2020 club: Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
Position: Centre
Height: 6’5″ 207 lbs.
Many of the prospects listed above are undersized. Such is not the case for Jack Finley. The big-bodied centre managed 19 goals and 57 points in 61 games last season. I had the opportunity to watch Finley live when the Spokane Chiefs came to visit the Giants.
Finley is a decent skater for his size, though his initial few steps are underwhelming. He uses his large frame very well in protecting the puck until he can find an open teammate. His vision and playmaking skills are noticeable, and his shot is hard. On occasion, he takes too long to release the puck and has it frequently blocked. His ability as a goal scorer is somewhat limited, but he offers a sizable net presence.
Finley has a remarkable defensive game, often using his long reach to take away passing lanes. Despite his size, Finley is not overly powerful and will need to gain strength to play professionally. His offensive upside, in my opinion, is limited. However, with his size and the responsible defensive game he shows, Finley is well-suited for a bottom-six role.
dark. Next. Redrafting the Canucks' 2003 draft class (part 1)
The players listed above are just a representation of the many options that the Canucks could look at to add centre-ice depth to the organization. They are all considered long-term projects, as picks in the third round and beyond require a great deal of development before they are ready for regular NHL duty.