Prospect Info: Tom Willander: 11th Overall 2023 Draft (Rogle BK J20) - Part 02

They aren't unrealistic. But they may be getting overpaid in this diluted UFA market. There are ways to extract good forward talent.

Wilander will be interesting to get a glimpse of this season.
 
Our D is set for years. Hughes Hronek MP EP2 Willander Mancini - With Myers for 2 more. And then Mynio and KK in the works as well.

I don't think there is a better looking D in the NHL going forward. Barring injuries. And whether we can get Hughes to sign a retirement contract here.
I'm not sold on Mancini ever becoming the "well with that size and skating he might..." type of player.

I also think the Canucks might need to trade some back end talent/prospect for a center at some point soon.
 
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They have plenty of cap space and defensive depth to add couple good forwards in the summervia UFA or trade. The # 1 centre seems to be finding his way much to the chagrin of a lot of fans.

They have goaltending depth and a great mobile D group. Build from the ass end. I wouldn't be shocked if they picked Ravensbergen with their 1st.
Ravensbergen with their first?

They really need to draft a potential top 6 center and I'm hoping Brady Martin is around when we pick.
 
I mean I feel like we're discrediting the Sedins here.
Yes and no as they were regular season superstar at that time but not so much in the playoffs.

That team also lacked center depth so when Kesler was playing injured there wasn't anyone else to pick up the slack.
 
I too would take a centre but they need to take BPA available in their minds. Don't care about position.
Normally I would agree but they need legit top centers prospects so badly that no unless someone exceptional drops they need to take a center.

Bear (if he drops due to the injury)
O'Brien
Martin
Cootes

One of those names needs to be called by the Canucks on draft day.
 
They have plenty of cap space and defensive depth to add couple good forwards in the summervia UFA or trade. The # 1 centre seems to be finding his way much to the chagrin of a lot of fans.

They have goaltending depth and a great mobile D group. Build from the ass end. I wouldn't be shocked if they picked Ravensbergen with their 1st.
Ravensbergen with their first?

They really need to draft a potential top 6 center and I'm hoping Brady Martin is around when we pick.
 
I would have thought the same about Debrusk. I think there is a good chance we get neither.
I think people were surprised about Debrusk because there weren’t many (any?) rumours about him signing here and not because anyone was surprised the Canucks landed a player of Debrusk’s calibre. Because Debrusk wasn’t one of the top UFAs. He was a player coming off a 40 point season that Sportsnet ranked as the 12th “best” or whatever UFA of 2024. Bennett and Ehlers are likely going to be top five UFAs when all is said and done. And I’m not saying that the Canucks could sign either. Only that it’s not very likely, and if they do, the contract won’t be very good value.

They need to find guys who are on the cusp of breaking out and sign those guys. Very difficult, but that’s how you build through free agency. Not
 
I think people were surprised about Debrusk because there weren’t many (any?) rumours about him signing here and not because anyone was surprised the Canucks landed a player of Debrusk’s calibre. Because Debrusk wasn’t one of the top UFAs. He was a player coming off a 40 point season that Sportsnet ranked as the 12th “best” or whatever UFA of 2024. Bennett and Ehlers are likely going to be top five UFAs when all is said and done. And I’m not saying that the Canucks could sign either. Only that it’s not very likely, and if they do, the contract won’t be very good value.

They need to find guys who are on the cusp of breaking out and sign those guys. Very difficult, but that’s how you build through free agency. Not

I mean that’s all true, but not my point. I thought Debrusk would sign for a lot more. Like you said it was still a giant surprise.
 
Tom Willander plays in the Hockey East Semi-Finals against UConn today, Thursday March 20th at 1pm PDT. Not sure where to catch the game legally in Canada.

Should they win, they'll advance to the finals tomorrow night at 4:30 PDT, which I believe will be broadcast on TSN.
 
So when does this whole Willander joining the Canucks thing happen exactly?
Unless the unexpected happens and he decides to play another year at BU, he'll sign after BU's season is done. I'm not super familiar with the NCAA selection process, but if BU either qualifies or is selected to the Frozen Four tournament, then it will be either March 30th or April 12th, give or take a day or two. Selection is Sunday, so if BU isn't selected or doesn't qualify by winning Hockey East, then he'll likely sign Monday.

By comparison, his teammate Lane Hutson signed with the Habs on April 12th last year, after BU was knocked out of the Frozen Four on April 11th. He played his first game with Montreal on April 15th, although I doubt Willander will get into the lineup as quickly while the Canucks are competing for a playoff spot.
 
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Unless the unexpected happens and he decides to play another year at BU, he'll sign after BU's season is done. I'm not super familiar with the NCAA selection process, but if BU either qualifies or is selected to the Frozen Four tournament, then it will be either March 30th or April 12th, give or take a day or two. Selection is Sunday, so if BU isn't selected or doesn't qualify by winning Hockey East, then he'll likely sign Monday.

By comparison, his teammate Lane Hutson signed with the Habs on April 12th last year, after BU was knocked out of the Frozen Four on April 11th. He played his first game with Montreal on April 15th, although I doubt Willander will get into the lineup as quickly while the Canucks are competing for a playoff spot.
Appreciate it, thanks
 
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Unless the unexpected happens and he decides to play another year at BU, he'll sign after BU's season is done. I'm not super familiar with the NCAA selection process, but if BU either qualifies or is selected to the Frozen Four tournament, then it will be either March 30th or April 12th, give or take a day or two. Selection is Sunday, so if BU isn't selected or doesn't qualify by winning Hockey East, then he'll likely sign Monday.

By comparison, his teammate Lane Hutson signed with the Habs on April 12th last year, after BU was knocked out of the Frozen Four on April 11th. He played his first game with Montreal on April 15th, although I doubt Willander will get into the lineup as quickly while the Canucks are competing for a playoff spot.

Through PW they are locks essentially
here is a decent visualization for the tournament heading into the weekend
I can't get a full image for lower seeds, but you get the picture

In = In tournament
AL = At large bid
AQ = Automatic qualifier

pairwise.png
 
Apart from Tanev, it was populated by vets. There was no pipeline of cost controlled but promising defensive prospects.

No, but we did have home grown talent in Bieksa and Edler as well as Tanev, and a couple slick trades with our prospects/picks.

I too would take a centre but they need to take BPA available in their minds. Don't care about position

Ravensbergen with their first?

They really need to draft a potential top 6 center and I'm hoping Brady Martin is around when we pick.

Agreed 100%. We desperately need a goalie for a succession plan but we need a center even more. Add in the volatility of goalies and it's a no brainer unless our scouting staff knows something no one else does.

@Breakers Can you possibly explain that last chart ... is that playoffs odds ... what does it al mean?
 
So 16 teams compete in 4 reqionals? So it seems almost a certainty that BU will be going to the regionals. Which means he will be playing March 28 - 30. If they win their regional the final 4 will be played in STL April 10 -12. So he can sign Mon Mar 31 if they lose. If they go to the final 4 he should be able to sign Sun Apr 13.

Edit - so it seems that BU will play Northeastern, UConn and Maine. Winner goes to the frozen 4.

Re-edit - BU plays UConn. the winner plays the winner of Northeastern and Maine for the regional final.
 
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@Breakers Can you possibly explain that last chart ... is that playoffs odds ... what does it al mean?

The top 10 are essentially locks to get into the tournament regardless of outcomes this weekend because of pairwise which has SOS (strength of schedule) leading up to it

the 100% for minnesota state can throw people off........... Like how is a team at 15 100%????
They are playing for the CCHA championship, but against St. Thomas, which is still ineligible for the NCAA tournament after making the move to DI. Therefore, Minnesota State gets the CCHA’s auto-bid regardless of result Saturday.

You can still have a chance to nab an at-large bid depending on the results of other conference tournaments, and thats what those percentages show

In the NCHC, Arizona State at No. 15 spot in the Pairwise, but because Minnesota State and the Atlantic champion get automatic bids....... therefor The Sun Devils have to win the NCHC tournament to get in. So, too, does North Dakota which explains automatic qualifier

Like take michigan they have no chance for an automatic qualifier
but slim slim slim at large bids which carries over into the "in" column

I think in conclusion
- if you have a "AL" percentage and no "AQ" you are scoreboard watching (ie: michigan)
- If you have a 100% "In" you're in the tournament
- if you have any percentage at "AQ" you control your own fate
 
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With the number is pretty decent to good defence prospects on the team now and the other couple still not signed yet the value of Willander might be more as a trade asset to help fill in the top center positions.

I am still a draft the super star guy that can be here for a decade under cap control.

The team's defence is pretty stout especially how the system is now.

But top drafted forward could step right into the league and make a dent immediately, Bedard, Celebrini, Guenther, Benson, Smith, Fantilli, Cooley, W Johnson, numerous others 20 yrs old and under all forwards with more points than all/most Canucks.

EPD was able to transition easily because he played pro hockey for a couple of years. It will be different for Willander, he has never played pro's. College is good but not elite like the NHL is supposed to be.

Trade him and a 2027 first if needed or a bunch of 2nds and 3rds for the Misa pick, throw in a decent forward prospect or two as well. Over pay and try to give that team that has the pick something they need help with, no matter who they are.
 
With the number is pretty decent to good defence prospects on the team now and the other couple still not signed yet the value of Willander might be more as a trade asset to help fill in the top center positions.

I am still a draft the super star guy that can be here for a decade under cap control.

The team's defence is pretty stout especially how the system is now.

But top drafted forward could step right into the league and make a dent immediately, Bedard, Celebrini, Guenther, Benson, Smith, Fantilli, Cooley, W Johnson, numerous others 20 yrs old and under all forwards with more points than all/most Canucks.

EPD was able to transition easily because he played pro hockey for a couple of years. It will be different for Willander, he has never played pro's. College is good but not elite like the NHL is supposed to be.

Trade him and a 2027 first if needed or a bunch of 2nds and 3rds for the Misa pick, throw in a decent forward prospect or two as well. Over pay and try to give that team that has the pick something they need help with, no matter who they are.
Just no. The odds of your scenario working out are very low.
 
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With the number is pretty decent to good defence prospects on the team now and the other couple still not signed yet the value of Willander might be more as a trade asset to help fill in the top center positions.

I am still a draft the super star guy that can be here for a decade under cap control.

The team's defence is pretty stout especially how the system is now.

But top drafted forward could step right into the league and make a dent immediately, Bedard, Celebrini, Guenther, Benson, Smith, Fantilli, Cooley, W Johnson, numerous others 20 yrs old and under all forwards with more points than all/most Canucks.

EPD was able to transition easily because he played pro hockey for a couple of years. It will be different for Willander, he has never played pro's. College is good but not elite like the NHL is supposed to be.

Trade him and a 2027 first if needed or a bunch of 2nds and 3rds for the Misa pick, throw in a decent forward prospect or two as well. Over pay and try to give that team that has the pick something they need help with, no matter who they are.
Willander will be a longtime Canuck. His ceiling is what you want for every elite defense corp. Speed, hockey sense, skating, RHD with maturity, he can play physical too.

I dont know if EP(D) is really an Edler clone yet, I will be willing to move him 3 times before I trade Willander, who is looking like the best 2 way D out of the 2023 draft so far.
 
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