Canucks: GM Jim Benning has high hopes for Nils Hoglander

The Vancouver Canucks may have no choice but to inject some youth into the lineup next season. Good thing Jim Benning believes Nils Hoglander is ready.

With the way things are looking right now, the Vancouver Canucks might be icing a much younger roster next year. When the puck drops for the team’s 51st season, Olli Juolevi, Jack Rathbone, Jalen Chatfield and Nils Hoglander could potentially be suited up in green and blue.

Now it’s unlikely we see all four of these players make the team, general manager Jim Benning believes they are all ready to push for a spot.

He had this to say when speaking with the media, per Chris Faber of Canucks Army:

"“Olli Juolevi looks like he’s ready to play, Jalen Chatfield looks like he’s ready to play. We have Jack Rathbone who looks ready to push for a spot. Up front we have Nils Höglander who is going to come to camp and he could make the team”"

He was specifically high on Hoglander, the shifty speedster from Sweden. Although he’s just 5’9, he packs some weight at 190 pounds and he’s extremely smooth on his skates. Put it all together with his exceptional hands and puck-moving skills and he could surprise a lot of people at this year’s training camp.

After scoring a very average 16 points (nine goals and seven assists) in 41 contests last season with Rogle BK of the SHL, Hoglander has enjoyed a quick start to his sophomore campaign. On a temporary loan from the Canucks, Hoglander is making the most of his opportunity to play in the pros. He scored a few nice goals in the preseason and averaged over a point per game. Now, just four games into his regular-season, the 19-year-old has already tallied four assists.

Hoglander has been held off the scoresheet in terms of goals so far, but judging from what he was able to do in the preseason, he’ll get the goals flowing by using the power play to his advantage. With extra space to work his magic, Hoglander can dipsy-doodle his way around even the best veteran defenders and break ankles.

Nobody can forget how easy this kid makes pulling off “the Michigan” look. He did it on a couple of different occasions last year and the one on international ice is still one of the greatest goals I’ve ever seen on a highlight reel. It never gets old.

https://twitter.com/TSN_Sports/status/1210277304624197632

With the way he’s been playing this year in the SHL as opposed to last season, and with the high confidence being spoken about him by Benning multiple times to the media, it’s becoming more and more of a reality that the Bocktrask native could be a part of the Canucks opening night roster.

Canucks’ training camp is still a few months away. It’s best for Hoglander to keep working hard in the SHL. If he keeps doing what he’s been doing, he’ll be a very interesting player to watch at camp. For now, keep your eyes on his performances overseas and check-in at The Canuck Way for updates.

What do you think Canucks fans? Will Hoglander make the team next season? Comment below!