While the hockey world is watching some crazy first-round action in the Stanley Cup playoffs (who would have thought the wild-card Columbus Blue Jackets would be up 3-0 on the Tampa Bay Lightning?), Vancouver Canucks fans are watching other fans’ teams play and looking to their own team’s future.
In this set of news and rumors, I want to focus on the young Canuck prospects or potential Canuck players. Here’s a look at the upcoming NHL Draft, and two of the young goalie prospects already in the system.
Item One: Might the Canucks Trade Up at the NHL Draft?
Jason Botchford reported on TSN Radio in Vancouver that the Canucks might be considering trading up to draft defenseman Bowen Byram. He noted that the Canucks have shown interest in Byram, but they are obviously not alone. The New Jersey Devils and the New York Rangers have shown the most interest, and they are choosing 1 and 2 in the Draft. That doesn’t bode well for the team’s chances.
On March 22, Canuck reporter David Quadrelli of the Canuck Way made a strong case that the Canucks should choose Byram if they had any chance to do so. According to Quadrelli, Byram is by far the best defenseman in the Draft. Byram, who plays for the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League, has scored a remarkable 26 goals and 45 assists so far this season for the Giants. And, he’s only 17 years old.
Item Two: More News about Victor Soderstrom
In a recent post, I noted that a number of hockey people have pointed to Victor Soderstrom as someone the Canucks might target in the 10th spot in the NHL Draft. Chief among those is TSN’s Craig Button, who had the Canucks taking the young Swedish defenseman at No. 10 in his mock draft. As Button suggests, Soderstrom is “a right-shooting Yin to the left-shooting Yang that’s Quinn Hughes.”
Related: 5 Canucks Building Blocks for the Future
On April 11,
Soderstrom has a history of success at every level he’s played. For example, he led the Swedish Under-18 league in points by a defenseman and led the league in assists in both 2016-17 and 2017-18. What’s remarkable about these numbers is that they were compiled when he was only 15 years old during the 2016-17 season.
If Canuck fans are interested in keeping track of Soderstrom’s play in the near future, he will be playing in the IIHF Under-18 World Championships as a member of the Swedish rear guard. It might be interesting watching this right-handed defenseman who, as people are suggesting, might soon be on the Canucks’ blue line as a partner to young lefty Quinn Hughes.
Item Three: Two Canucks’ Goalie Prospects Already in the System
On April 15, David Quadrelli wrote a nice piece about the Canucks’ goalie depth chart. After Jacob Markstrom and Thatcher Demko, he noted the progress of two young Canuck prospects already in the system: Michael DiPietro and Jake Kielly.
Related: Pettersson, Boeser, Draft Lottery & Soderstrom
Canuck fans will recall that DiPietro was the victim of a perfect storm situation where, after being called up from the Ottawa 67’s as an emergency backup, he was surprisingly forced to make his NHL debut against the San Jose Sharks on Feb. 11 after Markstrom was injured earlier that day. The Canucks, coming off a recent long road trip, really didn’t give DiPietro a chance. The score was 7-2 Sharks, and DiPietro immediately returned to the 67’s.
Well, DiPietro survived and prospered. He’s (according to Quadrelli) by far the best goalie in the OHL and will likely be full-time with the Utica Comets next season. At 19 years old, he’s waiting in the wings after Markstrom and Demko. It will be interesting to see how his development goes next season.
DiPietro is not alone as a Canucks’ goalie prospect.
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Kielly signed a two-year entry-level contract after the season finished and has already spent practice time with Canucks’ goalie coach Ian Clark. Kielly has the makings of a potentially good young goalie. He, like DiPietro, will probably be with the Comets next season.
Looking to the NHL Draft
Obviously, the NHL Draft will be interesting for the Canucks. First, it is in Vancouver. Second, this season brings the promise of a strong core of young talent. I look forward this coming season to a Canucks’ run to the playoffs and, personally, would be disappointed were that not to happen.
