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Canucks: 3 dark horses that could make opening night roster

By Brayden Ursel

SAN JOSE, CA - MARCH 02: Sven Baertschi #47 of the Vancouver Canucks looks on during the game against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on March 2, 2017 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Rocky W. Widner/NHL/Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA - MARCH 02: Sven Baertschi #47 of the Vancouver Canucks looks on during the game against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on March 2, 2017 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Rocky W. Widner/NHL/Getty Images) /
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Defender Jack Rathbone of Harvard University. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images)
Defender Jack Rathbone of Harvard University. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images) /

Jack Rathbone

Drafted in the fourth round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, blueliner Jack Rathbone could be the biggest dark horse heading into 2021 training camp. At the same time, Rathbone is widely considered to be the Canucks best defensive prospect, in certain aspects, even ahead of Olli Juolevi.

His confidence with the puck isn’t on the same level as Quinn Hughes, but he’s the closest thing the Canucks have to another offensive-minded defender. And even though Vancouver needs to get better defensively, the Canucks need that offensive upside as well. He can drive play with the puck on his stick and he has a cannon of a slapshot when he gets it off.

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Rathbone has the potential to crack the roster no doubt, but he’s up against several defenders who will be eyeing the same position. He’ll have to find a way to bring more to the table than Juolevi, Brogan Rafferty and Jalen Chatfield.

Playing for the University of Harvard he was over a point per game in 2019-20 (31 points in 28 games). If can continue to build on his successful year and somehow translate his game to the NHL, he has a shot at surprising the right people and being a dark horse candidate to make the team.

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