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

[PuckMunchkin]

I don't even think it's really that.

I think his agent is trying for max A bonuses (it would be a feather in his cap), or close to it and knows he can create a ton of heat in the market just from feeding information (accurate or not) to Dhaliwal. And it's working. The local talking heads are squawking, the fanbase is joining in....it's a veritable squawk fest.

At the risk of sounding repetitive..... until the new league year, there's no real urgency to get anything done. he can play with the national team, potentially go to the worlds and then come to Canucks development camp in early July - which as of last report he was going to do - sign his ELC and immediately receive his $97,500 signing bonus.

This portion of fans who always insist the drama is caused by the Van media "talking heads" or the "chicken little fans" is amazingly resilient to how things actually consistently play out for the Canucks.

Hilarious stuff.

 

[Hughes Clues]

Because he was looking for the best opportunity to play and get a starter contract?

His agent served Lankinen perfectly.

Yes. Same things he's doing with willander. It's not a knock, but it's clearly how his agent operates. Hence why the Canucks aren't worried.

 

[Jerry the great]

This portion of fans who always insist the drama is caused by the Van media "talking heads" or the "chicken little fans" is amazingly resilient to how things actually consistently play out for the Canucks.

Hilarious stuff.

Dhaliwal (a reliable shill for agents everywhere!) started tweeting abut signing Willander "not being simple" before his season at BU was even over. He hyperventilates about it every time he's on someone's podcast. The vast majority of posters on this site are now agitated that management hasn't just given him max bonuses. It would take impressive obliviousness not to see the positive correlation....IMO.

 

[me2]

Does anyone think this also looks bad on Willander and his camp?

The Canucks have not had problems signing college draft picks in years, but suddenly Willander's a problem?

The Canucks drafted Willander much higher than most boards/mocks and fully supported his unorthodox route to play in college instead of Sweden.

If Willander is truly willing to forgo turning pro (despite publicly stating that turning pro is his best development path) over some bonus structure that he likely won't reach... what does that say about him and his camp?

Bro could have been playing in the AHL playoffs and getting more games in his resume but choosing to hold out over bonuses he probably won't hit?

I don't agree with the people that just want to give him whatever he wants to get it done. These type of contracts have structure and guidelines. Team needs to hold firm when it comes to negotiating... how do you think we got Pius Suter at a discount? Lankinen at a discount? Sherwood at a discount? No one person should be holding the team hostage and this management team has clearly held the line, whether with the franchise player (EP) down a prospect (Willander).

I like Willander but if he's a problem signing the ELC then what do you think the headache level is going to be when he signs his first, second and third contract?

Willander's value as a top RD prospect is going to be huge. He could definitely land a young top six forward without hurting this team in the immediate future. Trading him is not the worst move here.

It's May. Call me in September and I'll start caring if he signed or not.

 

[sensodyne17]

It's May. Call me in September and I'll start caring if he signed or not.

Well yes and no.

Willander’s agent and himself coming out and doing interviews and feeding info to Dhaliwal is just not a good luck.

Canucks took Willander ahead of where many mocks had him and supported and unorthodox college transition. If the kid is a problem signing his ELC, I don’t even want to think about his first, second and third contracts.

Let’s get back into the culture of having people who want to be here and not take it for granted.

A defensive defenseman posturing over a couple hundred thousand in potential bonuses when you can make millions signing the ELC. Willander could have soaked in invaluable NHL/AHL experience if his camp wasn’t so greedy.

He’s a great trade chip.

 

[PuckMunchkin]

Dhaliwal (a reliable shill for agents everywhere!) started tweeting abut signing Willander "not being simple" before his season at BU was even over. He hyperventilates about it every time he's on someone's podcast. The vast majority of posters on this site are now agitated that management hasn't just given him max bonuses. It would take impressive obliviousness not to see the positive correlation....IMO.

The one consitent source of drama is the team in question.

 

[quat]

I don't even think it's really that.

I think his agent is trying for max A bonuses (it would be a feather in his cap), or close to it and knows he can create a ton of heat in the market just from feeding information (accurate or not) to Dhaliwal. And it's working. The local talking heads are squawking, the fanbase is joining in....it's a veritable squawk fest.

At the risk of sounding repetitive..... until the new league year, there's no real urgency to get anything done. he can play with the national team, potentially go to the worlds and then come to Canucks development camp in early July - which as of last report he was going to do - sign his ELC and immediately receive his $97,500 signing bonus.

Ok, your logical approach to this situation has convinced me to be more patient and not freak out over Diamond's machinations.

While I appreciate the time you've put into your posts, your Wilson avatar is revolting. That guys pisses me off to no end (yes, I'd feel entirely different if he played on the Canucks), and his jag off mug is giving me nightmares.

 

[quat]

love how you completely left out the context of the whole drama filled season LOL

as long as the owners have sheeps like you defending them we will be forever stuck in mediocrity

Seriously over estimating the impact fans have on management decisions. Plus, are we really trotting out "sheep" because posters aren't as concerned over a rookie yet to be signed?

I'm concerned, in a large part due to how completely sideways this past season has been, and why won't this season of hell just continue on, but at the same time I'm also sensible enough to know that whatever my opinion is will have zero effect on the actions of the owner and management.

 

[Oliewud]

Seriously over estimating the impact fans have on management decisions. Plus, are we really trotting out "sheep" because posters aren't as concerned over a rookie yet to be signed?

I'm concerned, in a large part due to how completely sideways this past season has been, and why won't this season of hell just continue on, but at the same time I'm also sensible enough to know that whatever my opinion is will have zero effect on the actions of the owner and management.

yes and when the fans chanted fired gillis that had no effect on the owners decisions

 

[IComeInPeace]

I’m not sure if this has already been noted here but in listening to Rutherford’s interview with Shannon, Rutherford stated that Willander was offered the exact same contract as the 11th overall pick from the year before.

Dhaliwal seems to have left that important piece of info out as he shills for Diamond.

 

[theslatcher]

Has his first point for Sweden's NT now, gotten better and more confident every passing game.

 

[Jerry the great]

Ok, your logical approach to this situation has convinced me to be more patient and not freak out over Diamond's machinations.

While I appreciate the time you've put into your posts, your Wilson avatar is revolting. That guys pisses me off to no end (yes, I'd feel entirely different if he played on the Canucks), and his jag off mug is giving me nightmares.

it was time for a change anyway, so don't go thinking you're special

 

[Nuckles]

Tom Willander jumped up to the top pairing earlier this morning, skating with Marcus Pettersson.

Willander picked up a secondary assist while running the secondary powerplay.

That was the final tune-up game before the World Championships kick off on May. 9th.
- Dave Hall



Sweden's first game is Friday May 9th at 11:20AM PT against Slovakia: IIHF - Schedule and Results 2025 IIHF ICE HOCKEY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

 

[quat]

yes and when the fans chanted fired gillis that had no effect on the owners decisions

No, not really. I think blueberries used it as a excuse as Gillis had already shared he thought the team needed some major changes, while he felt he could use that roster to win a cup. He hired a GM willing to work with him and then the basically went into the toilet for eight years.

No competent management group is going to make roster decisions based on fan opinions.

 

[Hoglander]

I get what management is trying doing here; not just caving and giving out max potential bonuses beyond what comparable picks have been getting. Willander's side is looking like the greedy ones here, but at some point they need to just suck it up and get it done. Losing/forcing out top prospects over such a trivial amount, and I'll likely be relegating myself to a casual fan, at least until management is replaced. I haven't given up hope quite yet, but their competence is being seriously questioned at this point.

 

[lawrence]

not just caving and giving out max potential bonuses

they weren't asking for max potential, and usually 11th picks, have that leverage to ask for max bonus. If it was like a 2nd rounder not as much. I'm siding with the player at this point since, our management has a history of being assh0les

 

[me2]

I get what management is trying doing here; not just caving and giving out max potential bonuses beyond what comparable picks have been getting. Willander's side is looking like the greedy ones here, but at some point they need to just suck it up and get it done. Losing/forcing out top prospects over such a trivial amount, and I'll likely be relegating myself to a casual fan, at least until management is replaced. I haven't given up hope quite yet, but their competence is being seriously questioned at this point.

It only looks bad because of all the other tire fires going. If the p place was running well it wouldn't raise much attention.

 

[arttk]

Looks like Diamond trying to leverage Canucks chaos season to get his client more money but Canucks management don’t give a f*** about bad PR.
Could also be the agent thinks Willander might be a trade chip and whoever acquires him will pay more.

If we somehow land a 2C without giving up Willander, he will be signed around Sept because the agent is not going to f*** around that hard and get Willander to lose a year worth of ELC money.

 

[VanJack]

If Wilander makes the Swedish World Hockey Championship team as a 20-year old before he plays a single professional game--well, that's more than impressive.

Maybe a strong performance at the Worlds, might change the narrative and the decisions of the Canuck front office.

I know there's a strong opinion on these Boards that Wilander might be a necessary sacrifice in order to acquire a center. But that would be a huge mistake imo.

They need to get him signed, and then figure out what they actually have, before any trade.

 

[David71]

dont think he will be in a canucks jersey. probbaly be included in a trade to get a top 6 forward

 

[Vector]

 

[Jerry the great]

Seems like that could alter the timeline to decision day.

 

[Vancouver_2010]

Bust, not worth the extra 200k

 

[Just A Bit Outside]

Just get him signed.

Need some positive news for once.

 

[VanJack]

Of course it had to be this season, when the Canucks can't seem to find a way to sign one of their top prospects.

Canuck fans just wanted this season to mercifully end. But now with Tocchet's departure and Wilander's contract stalemate, it just seems destined to continue limping forward.

The NHL has taken notice all season of the ongoing soap opera in Vancouver. And it makes you wonder if the agents for some of the potential UFA's out there, aren't thinking the same thing.

Would you recommend plunking your client down in this cauldron of a hockey market right now?