Post-Game Talk: [GM55] Canucks defeat Maple Leafs | 2-1 | Hronek & Boeser | Dead Leafs on the Dirty Ground

[vadim sharifijanov]

jan 25, 2022 on: 22-11-8 (green fired jan 5)

jan 25, 2023 on: 19-12-4 (tocchet hired jan 22)

jan 25, 2025 on: 6-1-1 and counting (miller traded jan 31)

 

[sensodyne17]

Willander will get his 9 games to burn a year of his ELC. It's pretty much standard practice for big names coming out of college, it's a cookie that the organization gives the player to entice them to sign. Not to mention we don't have a legit 3rd RD right now so it's not like a solidified roster player is getting scratched to get Willander in.



Willander being better than Myers this season is wishful thinking. Myers has been very good in a top-4 if not a top-2 role pretty much since Hronek got injured and he was moved away from Soucy.

We don't even know if Willander is NHL ready yet.

If Willander's skating is as good as advertised, I wouldn't be surprised a top notch prospect is already better than a Tyler Myers or Carson Soucy at 5v5.

PK is probably a different story.

Willander is probably better than Soucy right now - hence why Soucy is on the block.

 

[beachcomber]

If Willander's skating is as good as advertised, I wouldn't be surprised a top notch prospect is already better than a Tyler Myers or Carson Soucy at 5v5.

PK is probably a different story.

Willander is probably better than Soucy right now - hence why Soucy is on the block.

Good god, Willy plays in the NCAA which is miles below the NHL. Give him time.

 

[sensodyne17]

Good god, Willy plays in the NCAA which is miles below the NHL. Give him time.

Top prospects are often better than current bottom line players. This isn’t 2002 anymore.

 

[Pastor Of Muppetz]

Top prospects are often better than current bottom line players. This isn’t 2002 anymore.

Carson Soucy isn’t your typical 3rd pairing grunt..like Juulsen
or just traded Mark Friedman..or a guy anywhere near the bubble..He’s a solid NHL player.

In general ,most young D don’t just saunter into the NHL without a substantial learning curve.

 

[sensodyne17]

Carson Soucy isn’t your typical 3rd pairing grunt..like Juulsen
or just traded Mark Friedman..or a guy anywhere near the bubble..He’s a solid NHL player.

In general ,most young D don’t just saunter into the NHL without a substantial learning curve.

Two of the most common comparables for Willander are Brock Faber and Charlie McAvoy. Smooth skating, high IQ, two-way D.

Faber debuted last year at 21 and played 25 minutes a night and basically cemented himself as the best defenseman on the team. Faber spent 3 years in college FYI.

McAvoy debuted at 21 and played 22 minutes a night and cemented himself in a top 4 role. McAvoy spent 2 years in college FYI.

Willander just turned 20 and is on the cusp of completing his second year in college. It's not really a stretch to say he might be better than Carson Soucy or Tyler Myers right now. Top prospects these days are ready to jump in and perform.

Perhaps I'm higher on Willander than most but he has NHL size/frame, plus plus skating, defensive acumen, physicality, and smarts. He still needs to work on his puck skills and the offensive side of things but he's sound defensively. Watch the videos on X from Dave Hall, Daniel Gee and those guys. They highlight what Willander's skating ability can do defensively. It's fascinating.

 

[Grip it N RYP it]

this

team!

 

[Regress2TheMeme]

Canucks should hang on to Soucey as playoff depth. He is able to play either side in a pinch and could regain some of his past chemistry with other defenders before the season is over. You can still deal him in the offseason. If they go on a playoff run he's going to come in very handy.