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Top-10 Prospects : Vancouver Canucks (5-1) |
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Part deux. The Canucks top-5 is not really surprising. Maybe the order, but that's trivial. These five sort of represent the majority of the Canucks current hopes for the future. As mentioned before 2014 seems to have been a very good first draft for the new look management team.
As always, players with 40+ NHL games played are excluded from the list.
5. Thatcher Demko : Goaltender, 6'4 194lbs, 36th Overall, 2014, 18 Years Old, Boston College in the NCAA
24 games 2.24GAA .919sv%
Depending on who you asked, Demko was arguably the top ranked goalie prospect in the 2014 draft. He ended being the second selected in what was a goalie splurge of four being selected in six picks. He was one of (if not the) youngest player in the NCAA last season starting the year at 17 and being born in December. Despite his youth he managed to hold the majority of split starts for the powerhouse at Boston College. He has the usual butterfly build, massive with the ability to move quickly and recover from covering the lower portion of the net. The last time I saw him play was an underwhelming performance at the U18's back in 2013, but by all accounts that was more anomalous than the rule for his play. Goalies are always strange, but there is no doubting he has the size and raw ability to become something. Just has to put it together. It's also nice to see some of the new wave of Californian players continue. He has another two years at BC ahead of him.
Potential : Starting Goalie
4. Jared McCann : Centre, 6'1 176lbs, 24th Overall, 2014, 18 Years Old, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in the OHL
64 games 27 goals 35 assists 62 points
McCann has had a rough start to the new season having contracted mono over the summer. For a player who 1. Was already in severe need to bulk up and 2. Plays with as much intense energy as he can to succeed each shift, this is a bad recipe. McCann was a really interesting player during his draft year and was often speculated to go between 10-20, it all really comes down to whether you believe the offensive productivity is there. McCann was considered the best defensive forward in the 2014 draft. The mixture of defensive prowess, non-stop hard work and the versatility to play multiple roles were highly praised. The interesting thing about his offensive production is that despite it lacking, when you see him play you can tell he has some very underrated ability. That ability turns into chances, but not pure production. It's a similar thing I saw with J.T. Miller (Rangers) in his junior career, he would make nice plays and be involved in the play, but not come away with a point. Despite that, he managed to finish second in both goals and points for the Greyhounds. He plays a style that is a good fit for the NHL, but will need to continue to add strength and get out of the "lanky" phase. Tough way to start the year, but he'll give his all regardless, it's just the player he is.
Potential : Second/Third Line Two-Way Centre
3. Bo Horvat: Centre/Left Wing, 6'0 203lbs, 9th Overall, 2013, 19 Years old, London Knights in the OHL
54 games 30 goals 44 assists 74 points
Horvat has a lot to live up to, an unfair burden, but one that he will be faced with for years to come. Horvat was not only the player selected with the pick from the Cory Schneider deal closing out that media fiasco around the starting position, he was also the Canucks highest pick since 1999 (and a lot of fans lamented over Nichushkin). Horvat had a good season, but didn't take the leap in offensive production I'm sure was dreamed about. Offense however isn't the name of the game around Horvat's game, that's a nice bonus. He's a strong defensive presence and a player who plays with smart grit and opportunistic brilliance. More than anything, I think he's a versatile player who can be plugged into a role and be successful. Need to get the tying goal? Put him with Domi and Tierney. Need a pest line? Put him with the Rupert twins. He's able to play many roles and do them well. When he was drafted he was the kind of guy you could safely say "He will play in the NHL." It's all about whether he can improve on his offensive creativity that will determine what he will do in the NHL. This season will either see him make the Canucks or be the de facto leader of the Knights.
Potential : 2nd/3rd Line Two-Way Centre
2. Hunter Shinkaruk : Left Wing, 5'11 179lbs, 24th Overall, 2013, 19 Years old, Medicine Hat Tigers in the WHL
18 games 5 goals 11 assists 16 points
Shinkaruk had a difficult final season in the WHL after a difficult draft as he tumbled down the board to the Canucks (who were more than happy to take a chance that late). He had a very slow start trying to play through a severely injured hip which occurred in the fifth game of the season. His speed and shiftiness are some of his most needed aspects to his game and he just wasn't the same. Ergo his season was shutdown. I think it was both admirable and stupid for Shinkaruk to avoid surgery to try and make Team Canada. Admirable because that kind of dedication and effort is what is required to reach his ultimate goal. Stupid because he didn't have a chance while hurt and might have done more damage. Shinkaruk has been one of the more productive young forwards in the WHL and formed one of the deadliest tandems with Emerson Etem the years prior. While primarily a skilled sniper, Shinkaruk is the kind of player who will go to the dirty areas to score and pay the price for his size. He's a wonder on the PP due to his creativity and movement. Defensive game and his size will be things to iron out as he develops. Let's call last season a wash and look forward to how a fully healed Shinkaruk can do in the AHL.
Potential : Top-6 Sniper
1. Jake Virtanen : Right Wing, 6'1 207lbs, 6th Overall, 2014, 18 Years Old, Calgary Hitmen in the WHL
71 games 45 goals 26 assists 71 points
During my Mock Draft series, Virtanen was the player I felt the Canucks would take, despite my bold...outlandish...pick for them at 6. He represents the kind of player the Canucks always complain that they don't have and personifies "functional toughness." Plus he's a BC Boy. Virtanen has an amazing blend of high-end speed and physicality. He was rated usually in the top-5 of skaters in the 2014 draft, but has a good 2-3 inches on the others (Fiala, Nylander, Ehlers, etc.). Power, speed and an amazing shot are the highlights. He was the best offensive forward for Canada at the U18's before going down with an injury, his speed was really noticeable, though he needs to learn to be less predatory on some of his hits. His 45 goals were good for sixth in the WHL and highest for draft eligible players. Canucks fans always seem to be clamouring for North-South players, for power forwards that relish hitting and will do anything to score. This might be their guy. This season he will again lace them up for the Hitmen once he fully recovers from his shoulder injury (November?).
Potential : Top-Six Power Forwar
Thanks for reading.
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