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The Canuck Way Mailbag: Golden Knights, Markstrom, Myers, more

By Matthew Zator

EDMONTON, ALBERTA - AUGUST 17: The Vancouver Canucks celebrate a goal by J.T. Miller #9 (C) against the St. Louis Blues at 40 seconds of the second period in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on August 17, 2020 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images)
EDMONTON, ALBERTA - AUGUST 17: The Vancouver Canucks celebrate a goal by J.T. Miller #9 (C) against the St. Louis Blues at 40 seconds of the second period in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on August 17, 2020 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images) /
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EDMONTON, ALBERTA – AUGUST 06: Olli Juolevi #48 of the Vancouver Canucks warms up before the game against the Minnesota Wild in Game Three of the Western Conference Qualification Round prior to the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on August 06, 2020 in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images)
EDMONTON, ALBERTA – AUGUST 06: Olli Juolevi #48 of the Vancouver Canucks warms up before the game against the Minnesota Wild in Game Three of the Western Conference Qualification Round prior to the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on August 06, 2020 in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images) /

Outlook on defence

The defence core could have a very different look next season, especially if Tanev is not re-signed. Juolevi has looked good since coming back from the long layoff and Brogan Rafferty just finished a season where he led all Utica Comets’ defencemen with 45 points, so they both will be pushing for spots. With the addition of Rathbone to the mix as well, the competition will be fierce when training camp for the 2020-21 season begins.

Ultimately, I think Juolevi will end up taking a spot on the blueline, considering he already has a taste of NHL hockey in a postseason game. I think he will take that experience and work hard to come back ready to take a permanent spot in the Canucks’ lineup.

Realistically, I see the Canucks parting ways with Benn and despite Troy Stecher’s strong playoff performance so far, Benning could be forced to trade him as well, as much as it pains me to say so. With the tight cap space he is dealing with, he may have to part ways with a few pieces that, in a perfect world would stay with the team going into the 2020-21 season.

As for the additional wrinkle of the Seattle Kraken, I think that warrants a whole article to unpack all the different scenarios that could happen. So I will leave the answer to that question for later.

Keeping with the theme of defence prospects, Jett Woo is someone I am really excited to see in the NHL one day. His combination of size, skating and physicality is something the Canucks really don’t have in their lineup right now. Even though he took a step back offensively with the Calgary Hitmen in 2019-20, I still think he has a lot of potential at the NHL level.

Woo was given a more defensive role and the Hitmen were not as skilled as the Moose Jaw Warriors, so his production obviously suffered. On the bright side, he did still finish with 46 points in 64 games, so it’s not like he didn’t produce in his final Western Hockey League season.

Woo will make the jump to the AHL with the Comets next season and could be paired with Rathbone on the top unit. His character and work ethic are off the charts, so I have no doubt that he will make positive strides in his development next season. He may need some AHL seasoning before we see him with the Canucks, but he’s just another exciting prospect to watch as the team continues to grow into a perennial Stanley Cup contender.

Next. Canucks: The fans waited a long time for this. dark

That wraps up another edition of The Canuck Way mailbag. It’s great to be back, as the Canucks get ready for the second round and the Golden Knights on Sunday.

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