The Canuck Way Mailbag Part 1: Lind, Gadjovich, Juolevi
It’s time for another Vancouver Canucks mailbag!
The Canucks didn’t get much out of the win column this week, however, smaller victories were taken in other areas, including the NHL debut of Kole Lind. And seeing as how it went so well, his big night seems like as good of a place as any to kick things off. Let’s get rolling.
Thoughts on Kole Lind so far?
— PP1 PODCAST (@ThePP1Podcast) May 1, 2021
So far, so good. The 22-year-old looks like he belongs in the NHL. In his debut on Thursday night against the Leafs, Lind was arguably one of the best players on the ice for the Canucks. He played over 17 minutes, found himself being trusted in situations both offensively and defensively, and looked excellent in his mid-game promotion to the second line alongside Bo Horvat and Tanner Pearson.
He’s only got two games under his belt, but he put up a similar individual scorecard in his second outing. He looked good, but he wound up without a point and he was on the losing end of what some people would call a blowout game.
This early on, the points don’t matter much if any, but the grind down the stretch should be a challenge in itself. I’m going to have to wait and see how he performs between now and the season’s end before making any real judgements. But looking at the small sample size, it seems he might have the potential to be a real gamer.
More mailbag Q&A
Do you think Gadjovich can play in the NHL?
— Adam Dane (@AdamDane7) May 1, 2021
If you asked me that question a year ago, I would have said no. Now, I’m not so sure. With the way he’s played this season, he appears to be ready for the next big challenge. He’s been clipping along at nearly a goal-per-game pace (15G/19GP), and he’s doing it the right way. He’s using his body to create space, and he’s been dominant with the puck anywhere near the net.
Not only is Jonah Gadjovich proving he can be a big body player who isn’t afraid to get physical when he needs to be, but he’s showing he can be a player who scores goals by using his speed off the rush and matches it with timely wrist shots that carry exceptional accuracy.
When it comes to his defensive game, I’m not quite convinced Gadjovich is ready to be an NHL player just yet. Admittedly, I haven’t seen enough of his in-game action this year to give an accurate opinion, but I’m all for giving him a chance at the NHL level.
At least the decision has been made to call him up to the Canucks, so he can get into some practices with the real professionals, and perhaps make his NHL debut ahead of what could be a much more promising first full season on NHL hockey.
Juolevi scored again. Is he ready for a bigger role next year?
— James Kenneth (@JamesKe74835850) May 1, 2021
Olli Juolevi is back and I couldn’t be happier!
The fifth overall selection in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft picked up right where he left off, adding another goal — the second of his career — to his resume when he fired one home against the Ottawa Senators.
Juolevi has once again been paired with the towering Tyler Myers, and honestly, the pairing has been solid together. Juolevi gaining more and more ice time as the games move along, proving he’s trusted enough defensively by Travis Green.
Unfortunately, he wasn’t selected to be a part of either game versus the Toronto Maple Leafs, where the Canucks were outscored by a total of 9-2. Maybe if he wasn’t scratched he could have helped with the damage done by Auston Matthews and the rest of the division-leading Leafs.
As for a bigger role, I’m not sure that’s what I’d call it. Next season he’ll definitely be faced with more responsibility as he gains more regularity in the lineup, but he’ll still be receiving bottom pairing minutes to start.
2021-22 will be about Juolevi fully turning over a new leaf and leaving his injured past behind. Once he gets a full NHL season under his belt with a little less of a veteran presence there to guide him along, I think he’ll be ready for the ‘next level’ so to speak.
More mailbag Q&A
Should veterans like Sutter and Hamonic be re-signed, or should the Canucks pave a way for young players like Lind and Rathbone to be permanent lineup members?
— Mcsuper🏒 (@Macusian12345) May 1, 2021
For years I’ve been waiting for the day that Brandon Sutter‘s overpaid contract is off the books of the Vancouver Canucks, and when that day finally came I figured Sutter would be gone along with it. But as his contract year has continued to play out, Sutter has put on a bit of a comeback campaign, and his nine goals have him currently tied for sixth on the team.
Crazy to believe I’m saying this, but with the recent departure of Adam Gaudette, and the uncertainty of Jay Beagle and his injury ahead of next season, signing Sutter to a one-year team-friendly deal might actually make sense. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for Lind getting into the lineup next year, but he’ll definitely get his fair share of chances, and having Sutter there as a player with experience might not be such a terrible idea — at the right price (Not a penny more than $1.5M).
As for the Travis Hamonic question, I believe he’s a player Jim Benning has to really target before free agency, and there are a handful of reasons for it. First off, he’s a right-handed shot and that’s a position the Canucks are lacking. Secondly, he has a desire to play on the west coast and is willing to take a pay cut to make it happen. And lastly, he’s been a good partner next to Vancouver’s franchise defender, and having that chemistry is important.
When it comes to Jack Rathbone, he’s a left-handed shot, and like everyone else, he’ll have to earn his spot in the lineup. In my mind, having him as a seventh defenceman is an ideal position for him to be in next season. The last thing you want to do is rush him into the lineup, and with Vancouver already having offensive-minded blueliners in Quinn Hughes, Nate Schmidt and Tyler Myers, adding a stay-at-home defenceman might be a wise move.
Final thoughts…
Next. Canucks: Kole Lind should be protected from expansion. dark
Part 2 of the mailbag should be available early in the week! Keep your eyes on The Canuck Way for that, and don’t forget to get involved with the mailbag! You can ask questions too! Just jump on Twitter and look for our weekly Friday mailbag tweet.