Sporting News has Canucks prospect pool at #8
8. Vancouver Canucks
2018-19 rank: 3rd
Key additions: Nils Hoglander (RW), Vasily Podkolzin (RW)
Graduated: Adam Gaudette (C), Elias Pettersson (C)
Traded/not signed: Matt Brassard (RHD), Jonathan Dahlen (LW, SJS), Kristoffer Gunnarsson (LHD)
Jim Benning's plan to beef up his organization with speed and skill continues to achieve benchmarks, as the Canucks not only received a Calder Trophy-winning season from electrifying 2017 first-round pick Elias Pettersson but now have playmaking puck rusher Quinn Hughes ready to challenge for a full-time role and his own hardware. Vancouver added a bulldog of a competitor in Russian-trained winger Vasily Podkolzin, who was the 10th pick in June although he likely stays overseas for at least another season.
Benning and staff also scooped up feisty forward Nils Hoglander from Sweden and speedy center Tyler Madden from Northeastern who tied for fourth in freshman scoring in Hockey East. This group, along with two stud goalie prospects, Thatcher Demko and Michael DiPietro, represent a sizable chunk of the organization's future, one that already includes established NHL producers like Bo Horvat and Brock Boeser. Now that the nucleus has formed, the Canucks can patiently follow the progress of an impressive tier of potential point-producing defensemen like Olli Juolevi, Toni Utunen, Jett Woo, and Jack Rathbone.
PROSPECT | POS. | 2019-20 TEAM (Proj.) | ACQUIRED |
1. Quinn Hughes | LHD | Vancouver (NHL) | 1st/2018 |
2. Vasily Podkolzin | RW | SKA-Neva (VHL) | 1st/2019 |
3. Thatcher Demko | G | Vancouver (NHL) | 2nd/2014 |
4. Nils Hoglander | RW | Rogle (SHL) | 2nd/2019 |
5. Jett Woo | RHD | Calgary (WHL) | 2nd/2018 |
6. Michael DiPietro | G | Utica (AHL) | 3rd/2017 |
7. Olli Juolevi | LHD | Utica (AHL) | 1st/2016 |
8. Tyler Madden | C | Northeastern (HE) | 3rd/2018 |
9. Jack Rathbone | LHD | Harvard (ECAC) | 4th/2017 |
10. Toni Utunen | LHD | Tappara (SM-Liiga) | |
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