Canucks Prospect Pool Ranked 18th By The Athletic

Scott Wheeler of the Athletic is ranking each NHL team’s prospect pool and the Vancouver Canucks slot in at No. 18.

While sitting at 18 might not seem that high, last season, the Canucks were ranked 28th by the Athletic.

Wheeler goes over the top 14 prospects in the Canucks system. Coming in at No. 1 is Jonathan Lekkerimaki.

Lekkerimaki was drafted 15th overall in the 2022 NHL Draft and has done nothing but shoot up the rankings across all NHL prospects.

While playing for Örebro HK in the SHL, he has put up 12 goals and nine assists in 35 games. He won a silver medal at the 2024 World Juniors with Team Sweden.

“Lekkerimaki’s talent is undeniable. He’s dynamic, in control and threatening from anywhere in the offensive zone. He can beat you in an instant with a quick catch-and-release or curl-and-drag shot, or hang onto pucks and make things happen himself. He’s got a knack for hitting holes in the net, frequently beating goalies low-blocker and five-hole. He’s got A-level hands, a deceptive release, a lethal one-timer and a slyness to his game that allows him to get to spots to score with and without the puck. He’s going to have clear power-play upside at the next level because of all of those things. He slowly has become more threatening on a consistent basis at five-on-five against men, coming and going less in games, fading to the perimeter in control less, and making sure he’s getting touches by keeping his feet moving more and working to involve himself in the play more. He is just playing with more intention off the puck and on the forecheck and has found more consistency in his approach and consequently his game,” Wheeler wrote.

Coming in at the No. 2 spot is Tom Willander. Another Swedish prospect for the Cancuks. This defenseman is a smooth skater and can showcase poise with the puck on the ice.

Willander has 15 points in 26 games for Boston University. He is playing on the same team as the projected No. 1 overall pick for the 2024 NHL Draft, Macklin Celebrini.

“He pulls away or retreats from pressure with ease, and excels on exits. His head is always up. He gets his shots through. And then, on top of the pro frame, the skating and the general athleticism, he also just plays the game with an intentionality that is rare in players his age. He looks and operates like a pro out there. His passes are quick and firm and he activates when he can,” Wheeler wrote.

Coming in at No. 3 is Vasili Podkolzin. Podkolzin has had significant runs in the NHL before, but playing for Abbotsford right now is the correct place for his development.

Podkolzin was drafted 10th overall in the 2019 NHL draft. In 37 games in the AHL this season, he has had 14 goals and 12 assists. He’s a hard-working player who lost his offensive touch. He is seemingly regaining that slowly but surely this season in the AHL.

“There’s a lot about Podkolzin’s game that has typically drawn evaluators to him: His power and strength over his feet. His good hands through and under sticks or in tight. His knack for seeing the first play and then executing it, whether that’s attacking the slot when it’s available or knifing through coverage with surprising finesse for a heavyset player. His sneaky passing ability when seams open in coverage. His tenacious and physical disposition,” Wheeler wrote.

The rest of Wheeler’s explanations and list can be seen in his article.

Adam Kierszenblat wrote his top ten Canucks prospects in January. See how his list compares below.

Make sure you bookmark THN’s Vancouver Canucks site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

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