Canucks: 3 depth players that could make the team out of training camp

In about 45 days, the Vancouver Canucks will be back from their summer vacations and gather at the Abbotsford Centre for training camp from September 23rd to 25th.

Training camp marks the beginning of a new season and the start of hope for good fortune for the upcoming season.

Many players on the Canucks know already they are locks to make the team out of camp and use the few days to get the gears grinding on the ice again. However, for a select number of players, it is their chance to impress and hopefully earn a shot at the opening night lineup. Training camp decides whether a player makes the team, is a healthy scratch, or starts the year in Abbotsford.

Here are three depth players that could make the playoffs

Matthew Highmore

Matthew Highmore was acquired by the Canucks at the deadline from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Adam Gaudette.

In his 18 games with the Canucks last season, Highmore managed three goals and two assists. He isn’t known for his offensive production but can score every now and then.

He plays a similar game to Tyler Motte. Both players aren’t known for putting up points but instead for their defensive play, work ethic, speed, and a bit of physicality.

Last season, he was playing in the top six and as a result, didn’t have the best defensive and possession numbers

Highmore could provide some energy for the Canucks fourth line and should be someone to watch at training camp.

Phil Di Giuseppe

One of many depth players Jim Benning signed on the opening day of free agency could slot in on the fourth line on opening night.

Phillip (or simply Phil) Di Giuseppe was one of the players signed on a one-year deal. He was an effective player with the Michigan Wolverines and was drafted 38th overall in the 2012 NHL draft by the Hurricanes. With the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL, Di Giuseppe put up decent numbers but it didn’t translate to the NHL. On New Years Day in 2019, he was claimed off waivers by the Nashville Predators and played three games and played 24 games with the Milwaukee Admirals before playing the next two seasons in the New York Rangers organization.

Last season, splitting time with the main roster and taxi squad, Di Giuseppe managed a goal and seven assists in 31 games.

It seems the main reason, the Canucks decided to sign Di Giuseppe was because of his defensive game and physical play. He has amassed 462 hits in his NHL career so far.

Di Giuseppe could help the fourth line defensively and help shutdown opposing players and it wouldn’t be too surprising if he starts the year on the main roster instead of Abbotsford.

Will Lockwood

The Canucks 3rd round pick in 2016 made his NHL debut late last season where he played two games after playing 24 games with the Utica Comets scoring four goals and seven assists.

Will Lockwood didn’t put up points in his two games but he displayed speed and forechecking and he could provide those aspects and some grit for the Canucks bottom six. The thing that is intriguing about Lockwood is his ability on the forecheck and that could be welcomed on the Canucks bottom six.

Matthew Zator of The Hockey Writers compared Lockwood’s game to former Canuck Jannik Hansen and it’s hard not to see the similarities between the two.

Lockwood along with Motte would provide the fourth line with energy and tenacity.

There are other players that could potentially make the Canucks out of camp including Jonah Gadjovich, Zack MacEwen, Justin Bailey, Nic Petan, Olli Juolevi, and Luke Schenn. Let us know in the comments below who else you think could potentially make the team out of camp.