Canucks: What is in store for Nils Höglander’s sophomore season?

There was some excitement heading into the 2021-21 Vancouver Canucks season.

The team’s second round pick in 2019, Nils Höglander came into training camp and impressed. The Swede was coming off a five goal and nine assist season with Rögle BK of the SHL and it was a difficult time for him there as the Swedish team went through a COVID-19 outbreak.

After Höglander impressed in training camp, he spent most of the season with Tanner Pearson and Bo Horvat. He was a bright spot in a abysmal year for the Canucks which saw the team finish last in the Scotia North Division and go through a major COVID-19 outbreak.

Höglander impressed Canucks fans with his skill, skating, energy and shot and played like every shift was his last. It seemed like he was everywhere and was doing it all. Höglander was providing offence, battling in the corners for loose pucks, throwing hits you name it. He finished last season with 13 goals and 14 assists in 56 games. That is on pace for 19 goals and 21 assists in a full 82 game season.

The winger finished eighth in voting for the Calder Memorial Trophy.

He was fifth in Canucks scoring last year but was first in other statistical categories at five on five including Corsi for, individual scoring chances and shots on net.

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One thing that he was very good at last season was his passing.  Below, he made a nice heads up pass to Horvat.

This diving pass to Pearson was also a work of art.

The clip below shows how high a compete level Höglander has. He was creating turnovers, trying to get scoring chances and capped it off with great hand-eye coordination for the goal.

So what can we expect from Höglander in his sophomore season?

He is expected to start on the second line with newcomer Conor Garland and Horvat. It makes a lot of sense because Höglander and Horvat already displayed chemistry together.  Garland brings goals and a heavy forechecking game.  Höglander will benefit with another scoring winger and he and Garland could potentially have some chemistry.

I expect Höglander to build of his rookie campaign. Thanks to Horvat not being relied upon too much defensively thanks to the acquisition of Jason Dickinson and the arrival of Garland, more points could be in store for the 2019 second round pick.

I expect more of Höglander’s high compete level to be on display and we shall see more of his silky moves, ability to create turnovers and energy throughout next season.

In terms of point totals. I’m predicting 19 goals and 26 assists for Höglander

We also need him to do the lacrosse goal.

How do you think Höglander will do next season? Let us know in the comments below!