Canucks: 3 prospects people want to see play NHL games this year
When the Vancouver Canucks eventually return to the ice, it would be nice to see the team implement more youth into the lineup before the season’s end.
Not only would it be good to see Travis Green loosen his grip on the limited ice time of certain defensive prospects like Olli Juolevi and Jalen Chatfield, but it would an added bonus to see the coach give a nod to some other talented prospects.
Let’s face it. Playoff hopes were slim before the COVID-19 breakout in Vancouver even happened. And now, nearly the entire roster has been infected by the virus and it’s getting really hard to imagine any sort of comeback taking place.
On the outside looking in, Vancouver is six points back of the final playoff spot, but Montreal has three games in hand. Taking on a team that’s had Vancouver’s number all season seems like a difficult mountain to climb. Especially following an ailment that currently has 16 roster players bedridden.
So why not bench your ageing veterans who are on the way out and give the nod to some up-and-coming prospects? Let’s take a look at a few prospects everybody would love to see get into game action.
Kole Lind – Centre/Right-wing
Not a single Canucks prospect has improved as much as Kole Lind. The 22-year-old Saskatchewan native has transitioned from the wing to the centre position smoother than expected, and it might land him a roster spot sooner than later.
Before being called up by the Canucks to join their Taxi Squad, Lind was leading the Utica Comets in points. Through eight contests this season, Lind has already registered five goals and 8 points. A big improvement from his previous two seasons of professional hockey. He scored 44 points in 61 games last year, and just 17 points in 51 games during his rookie campaign.
Lind looks to have gained a lot more confidence between now and his 2018-19 season, and he might be able to hold down a third or fourth-line centre position for Vancouver in the near future.
The 33rd overall selection in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft has an offensive punch that Vancouver could benefit from, and it’s something that veterans Brandon Sutter and Jay Beagle can no longer provide. Check out this sick goal!
Kole Lind strikes again. Comets up 3-1. Assists to Anas and Reinke. pic.twitter.com/1qC5OgojYV
— LGA585 (@LGA585) February 6, 2021
The Canucks have lacked an offensive threat when it comes to their bottom-six and giving a player like Lind a chance to prove himself in that position is exactly what this team needs. A contending team needs a minimum of three lines that can score, and injecting Lind into the lineup could be the perfect way to add that needed scoring touch.
Mikey DiPietro – Goaltender
Despite his smaller frame, Mikey DiPietro is a quality goaltending prospect for the Canucks and the team needs to get him into a game very soon.
The 21-year-old netminder from Windsor Ontario took a massive leap forward in his development with the Utica Comets last season, but unfortunately, because of circumstances presented by the pandemic, DiPietro hasn’t played an actual game of hockey in over a calendar year.
Any prospect will tell you they’d rather practice every day with an NHL team as opposed to getting reps in at the AHL level, but at the end of the day, not getting that game experience is eventually going to take a toll on your overall game — even if you’re taking shots against NHL players in practice on a daily basis.
Realistically, DiPietro has to jump Braden Holtby on the depth chart to find himself some starts, but it’s something the Canucks need to make happen. At least once the team is either eliminated from the playoff race, or they’ve locked down a spot in the post-season. He won’t see games in the playoffs, so it’s important for him to start once the Canucks know more about their playoff picture.
DiPietro was drafted by the Canucks in the third round (64th) of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft behind other Canucks selections Lind (33rd) and Elias Pettersson (5th).
Jonah Gadjovich – Left-wing
Another prospect from the Canucks 2017 NHL Entry Draft is making waves at the AHL level. Left-winger Jonah Gadjovich is playing in full stride right now, collecting a team-leading eight goals and 9 points playing for the Comets.
Gadjovich has found his game in 2021 through the use of his body down low and in front of the net. At 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, Gadjovich has the ability to use his size to his advantage and it’s a huge reason why he’s leading the Comets in goals scored.
https://twitter.com/ChrisFaber39/status/1369812555024064513
His offseason conditioning has helped him gain strength and become a more physical threat — Two components to his game that make him a better hockey player. He still needs to put in work when it comes to his skating ability, but he’s doing enough offensively for the Comets this season to earn him a shot at playing hockey at the NHL level.
I would consider him to be a bit of a long shot to get into NHL games this year, but that should be surprising when you consider how he’s playing right now. Some players just take a bit more convincing, and that might be what Gadjovich has to do. If he can play at this level consistently for an entire season, then there is no doubt he gets his chance.
Final thoughts…
The Canucks have a handful of prospects from the 2017 NHL Entry Draft that are starting to blossom into good quality picks. Each one of these players mentioned above has what it takes to be an NHL player, but they just need the right opportunity to showcase their skills at the NHL level.
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What do you think Canucks nation? Are these the three players next in line on the Canucks’ depth chart or is there someone else who is more worthy of a shot to prove themselves worthy? Let us know in the comment section below.