The Canuck Way Mailbag Part 1: Lind, Gadjovich, Juolevi

More mailbag Q&A

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.

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.