Canucks prospects on D, encouraging?

[tanti9]

Despite the lack of high-end draft picks, I am (optimistic?) finding that Canucks D prospects are trending positively.

We have Willander who seems to have taken another step this year and hopefully can be a permanent top 4 dman in the years to come. He skates well and seems to be more offensive minded this year and thinks the game well defensively.

Elias Pettersson looks like he can round into a bottom pairing maybe a number 4. He likes to play a heavy game and moves well, not everyone can be a point producer but maybe can be a reliable dman partner for someone more offensive skilled.

Kudryavtsev is making a statement down in the AHL this year and has gained ice time and the coach's trust since the beginning of the year. After last night is up to 10 points in 16 games as a rookie in the AHL. He may not be a point producer in the NHL but he has defied the odds since being drafted in the 7th round, already looking like a steal.

Mynio has done nothing but improved since being drafted in the 3rd round two years ago. He is on the radar of the World junior team this year, no small feat. I know he gets a ton of playing time in Seattle and is the go to guy on the powerplay but he has earned the time.

I know the chances of all of 4 above making it and hitting their ceiling are slim but it is a promising situation to follow. Seems like overall our drafting under Allvin and Rutherford has done well and even drafted players like Brzustewicz (traded at the tight time?) can be trade chips.

thouoghts?

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[Rowlet]

The D prospects look good, the F prospects leave a lot to be desired after Lekkerimaki.

 

[credulous]

willander and kydryavtsev will almost certainly see nhl time soon and probably have decent careers. mynio has a shot to be a good player but it's too early to be too confident about him. dorrington is more of a longshot but he has a chance too

i still think pettersson is way too limited to be a full time nhler

 

[Mr. Canucklehead]

willander and kydryavtsev will almost certainly see nhl time soon and probably have decent careers. mynio has a shot to be a good player but it's too early to be too confident about him. dorrington is more of a longshot but he has a chance too

i still think pettersson is way too limited to be a full time nhler

Interesting, I see D-Petey as an almost surefire bet to play in the NHL. Offensive upside is limited, but he has that prototypical depth defensemen skillset that lends itself to guys playing games.

Willander will be with the Canucks by the end of the season, and Kudryatsev's recent performance on the farm is extremely encouraging. But I think more of a sample size is needed.

 

[credulous]

Interesting, I see D-Petey as an almost surefire bet to play in the NHL. Offensive upside is limited, but he has that prototypical depth defensemen skillset that lends itself to guys playing games.

Willander will be with the Canucks by the end of the season, and Kudryatsev's recent performance on the farm is extremely encouraging. But I think more of a sample size is needed.

pettersson has size and hits but he's not good enough in transition or at retrievals to carve out an nhl career imo. his puck skills are also way below par. if he can improve on the retrievals and transition d he might have a shot but i think the odds are lined up against him

 

[Quinning]

Now, let's actually keep and develop most of these guys so we can get some young talent in the bottom pairings. Stop signing UFAs to term.

 

[Blue and Green]

I still think that one of Mynio/Kudryavtsev/Pettersson will likely be sacrificed in a trade to get an immediate upgrade for Vancouver's defence.

 

[ihaveyuidonttouchme]

I still think that one of Mynio/Kudryavtsev/Pettersson will likely be sacrificed in a trade to get an immediate upgrade for Vancouver's defence.

pretty much this; another hronek type trade, maybe a slight tier below or more the merrier

 

[VanJack]

Any time two 20-year-olds like Kudryavtsev and Pettersson are playing as well as they are in the AHL right now, it's not a stretch to be optimistic. Along with Wilander--who's virtually an NHL automatic- that's an encouraging blueline pool.

And as far as Mynio is concerned, Tocchet went out of his way to praise his game. And a 19-year old even getting into NHL pre-season games is a positive sign.

The transition to the NHL game can be a painful experience for young d-men. But I could easily see all these guys eventually playing NHL games. Considering three of the four were drafted in the third round or later, that's about all you ask.

 

[IComeInPeace]

Taking into consideration that Kudraystev is 11 months older, what do you guys think the difference is in asset value between Hunter B vs Kudryavtsev compared to 2 months ago?

I’d say Hunter B has maybe dropped from being as high as a late 1st/early 2nd at his peak (in terms of trade value) to maybe as low as a 3rd rounder at this point (and dropping).

Kudryavtsev has definitely increased his value in my eyes and may already be worth as much as a 4th rounder (and climbing).

 

[tyhee]

Taking into consideration that Kudraystev is 11 months older, what do you guys think the difference is in asset value between Hunter B vs Kudryavtsev compared to 2 months ago?

I’d say Hunter B has maybe dropped from being as high as a late 1st/early 2nd at his peak (in terms of trade value) to maybe as low as a 3rd rounder at this point (and dropping).

Kudryavtsev has definitely increased his value in my eyes and may already be worth as much as a 4th rounder (and climbing).

Yes, the gap has been closing and might already be closed. It could happen later if his development stalls but personally I think if the Canucks move Kudryavtsev in the next month or two it will be in a trade for immediate help, not for a pick.

 

[David Bruce Banner]

I'm liking what I'm hearing about Dorrington. He seems to be of the D-Petey mould.

Hopefully we will come to Abby after his current season and we can get a better look as what we might have here.

 

[StreetHawk]

I'm liking what I'm hearing about Dorrington. He seems to be of the D-Petey mould.

Hopefully we will come to Abby after his current season and we can get a better look as what we might have here.

As a 6th rounder he’s likely going to do the full 4 years. NHL future not a lock. Other northeastern alum on D like Harris and Struble went onto sign with Montreal after they graduated.

 

[credulous]

I'm liking what I'm hearing about Dorrington. He seems to be of the D-Petey mould.

Hopefully we will come to Abby after his current season and we can get a better look as what we might have here.

dorrington never really stands out but his game translates really well to the pros imo. he's a sleeper

 

[Blue and Green]

Kudryavtsev has definitely increased his value in my eyes and may already be worth as much as a 4th rounder (and climbing).

I think he's worth a 2nd-round choice at this point. Not less than a 3rd.

 

[F A N]

I'm super excited about Willander and I really like Mynio but otherwise I'm holding back my optimism. Just got to keep spending draft capital on defensemen.

dorrington never really stands out but his game translates really well to the pros imo. he's a sleeper

I'm not sure that it does translate well. I'm worried about the lack of offensive production at lower levels which tends to be a decent indicator of NHL success. I'm not sure that the tools are there. I think he returns for his senior year and go from there.

 

[Blue and Green]

pettersson has size and hits but he's not good enough in transition or at retrievals to carve out an nhl career imo. his puck skills are also way below par. if he can improve on the retrievals and transition d he might have a shot but i think the odds are lined up against him

Already a solid second-pair and PK guy in the AHL at age 20 which gives him a legitimate chance to be an actual NHLer down the road. It's not just size and physical play in his favour, there's also mobility, sound positioning, taking good angles and not getting walked much. His play with the puck isn't at the same level as his defensive play but it's not so weak as to be an insurmountable issue.

 

[Megaterio Llamas]

please delete

 

[Wry n Ginger]

I think it shows the quality of the coaching staff the last few years. All of these guys have progressed each year and made improvement on the parts of the games they were asked to work on. Add to that the Canucks seem to be drafting hard workers and players with a professional attitude. Management also is very high on McWard if you want to add another name?

 

[LickTheEnvelope]

Outside of Willander I still doubt any see real NHL playing time.

 

[Megaterio Llamas]

Outside of Willander I still doubt any see real NHL playing time.

There could be a couple of Juulsen / Friedman type tweeners who could be useful depth down the road, Pettersson and Kudryavstev have a chance to be more than that.

IMVHO of course.

I have liked Max Sasson's work up with Vancouver very much.