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Canucks: Five players to watch during the preseason

By Joshua Rey |
EDMONTON, AB - MAY 15: Jack Rathbone #3 of the Vancouver Canucks warms up against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place on May 15, 2021 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
EDMONTON, AB - MAY 15: Jack Rathbone #3 of the Vancouver Canucks warms up against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place on May 15, 2021 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
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Training camp has come to a close for the Vancouver Canucks and preseason games are soon to be happening. That means we will have actual hockey to watch.

It feels like it’s been 84 years since the Canucks last played a game.

After spending three days at the Abbotsford Centre for training camp, the Canucks will head to Spokane to take on the expansion Seattle Kraken on Sunday night for their first preseason game. They will then return to Abbotsford to play the Calgary Flames the next night. The Canucks first preseason game at Rogers Arena will be on October 3 against the Winnipeg Jets.

The preseason games against the Kraken and the Flames apparently won’t be on the television. The game against Seattle will be on NHL.TV (Subscription required.) and the game against Calgary will be streamed on the Canucks website.

At training camp, some players have been making good impressions already and they are going to be determined to have a great preseason so they can be on the opening night roster.

Here are five Canucks players to watch during the preseason.

Jack Rathbone

Jack Rathbone already has eight games of NHL experience under his belt.

Rathbone’s mission is to show that he belongs in the NHL full time.

He is already showing that at training camp showing off his smooth skating, passing and stick checking.

https://twitter.com/ChrisFaber39/status/1441830126149275649

Rathbone has top four potential and is certainly showing that. Just like other players he’s going to have to give it his all during the preseason games.

“Every day, you just kind of want to get a little bit better and better,” Rathbone told Sportsnet’s Iain Macintyre. “I think it’s more just a drive and an excitement around where my game’s at right now and where I think I can be. I’m excited where my game is going, and excited just to continue to learn and hopefully play at a level that I can help these guys win.”

Olli Juolevi

Olli Juolevi did catch people’s attention at training camp…for the wrong reasons.

He looked exhausted after the bag skate on day one and ended up lying down on the ice. He looked like me after running three blocks or after a night of drinking after a hard day at journalism school. Big mood right here.

All jokes and bag skates aside, you have to feel for Juolevi. He was one of the players heavily affected COVID-19 when the Canucks went through a big outbreak last spring. He also has dealt with numerous injuries since being drafted. Juolevi has been an unlucky fellow.

However the bad luck can’t be an excuse for Juolevi and this season could be his last chance to prove he belongs with the Canucks organization.

He is now 23-years-old and it’s been five years since he has been drafted. Juolevi may not be the player he was projected to be when he was drafted fifth overall, but he can be a serviceable third paring defencemen, but again, he has to prove it.

He hasn’t really impressed at training camp and head coach Travis Green didn’t hold back on his thoughts on Juolevi’s performances.

Again, training camp and a bag skate session can’t define a player and Juolevi has the preseason games to prove everybody wrong. Can he defend on the rush? Has his pivoting improved? Will he make the right decisions? We shall see but as of now Juolevi’s chances of making the team are quite slim.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 04: Phillip Di Giuseppe #33 of the New York Rangers skates against the Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden on February 04, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 04: Phillip Di Giuseppe #33 of the New York Rangers skates against the Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden on February 04, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Phil Di Giuseppe

Phil Di Giuseppe was one of the numerous depth players that the Canucks signed over the summer.

Di Giuseppe spent the last two seasons with the New York Rangers organization.

After his signing was announced, it sounded like the Canucks signed the owner of a New York City pizza place but no, he is an NHLer.

Di Giuseppe is an option for the wingers on the fourth line. With Tyler Motte doubtful to start the season, there is another spot up for grabs.

The 27-year-old has impressed at training camp so far with his ability to win puck battles, aggressiveness and skill.

In Saturday’s scrimmage, he and Rathbone showed off some sweet passing skills to set up a goal for Alex Chiasson.

https://twitter.com/ChrisFaber39/status/1441834069805780996

One reason Di Giuseppe was signed was because of his defensive game which is something he was good at in New York.

He was fourth least among all Rangers who played at least 200 minutes of total ice time with 58 high danger chances against per NaturalStatTrick.

“Sometimes you’re not put in a position to score and then sometimes you are and it doesn’t happen, so you’ve got to find any way you can to get on a roster,” said Di Giuseppe per Daniel Wagner of Vancouver is Awesome. “I was a pure skill guy, then I got the defensive end, so I look to mesh both and I think my ceiling’s a lot higher than what I’ve proved so far.”

As of right now, I’m willing to bet money that Di Giuseppe makes the opening night roster and I also willing to bet on him having a strong preseason.

Will Lockwood

Like Di Giuseppe, Will Lockwood is also an alumnus of the University of Michigan. Also like Di Giuseppe, Lockwood is looking to be one of the players that starts on the Canucks fourth line on opening night.

Lockwood provides speed, energy and hits. He’s impressed at training camp including showing off this big hit on Luke Schenn, who is known for throwing the body around himself.

Lockwood’s work ethic showed at camp as he fiercely tried to win the battles along the boards. (#58 in white.)

https://twitter.com/ChrisFaber39/status/1441838031682424834

With Motte’s absence, it’ll look like the Canucks will have a clone of Motte on their roster if he makes it.

The preseason is a great opportunity for Lockwood to show off his speed and skill. The Canucks fourth line would welcome him with open arms if he excels the same way he did at training camp.

TORONTO, ON – OCTOBER 14: Jonah Gadjovich #22 of the Utica Comets skates in warmup prior to a game against the Toronto Marlies during AHL game action on October 14, 2018 at Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Graig Abel/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – OCTOBER 14: Jonah Gadjovich #22 of the Utica Comets skates in warmup prior to a game against the Toronto Marlies during AHL game action on October 14, 2018 at Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Graig Abel/Getty Images) /

Jonah Gadjovich is a big and physical guy standing at 6’2″.

Apparently, he dropped his weight from 215 pounds to 205 this summer according to Canucks Army’s Chris Faber.

Gadjovich’s skating has been a weakness of his and from what has been seen at camp, he looks faster and more physical than ever. Gadjovich scored in both Friday and Saturday’s scrimmages.

Just like Friday’s goal, Gadjovich scored from in front of the net, his favourite spot.

Gadjovich already got played one game of NHL action last season. The preseason will give him the chance to show off his improved skating as well as his aggressiveness and net front presence.

It’ll be interesting to see what kind of minutes Green gives him in the preseason and see how he battles for that competitive fourth line spot.

Next. Canucks: Three takeaways from day two of training camp. dark

There are other Canucks to watch out for during the preseason such as Vasily Podkolzin and Danila Klimovich. Let us know in the comments who you are keeping your eye on this preseason.

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