The Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers released their rosters for this weekend's Young Stars tournament on Tuesday.
The first detail that lept out at me from the Canucks list—no Jonathan Dahlen.
Jonathan Dahlen's mono may mean full season in SWE. #Canucks had hoped to see him in AHL if he didn't make NHL. Will miss all of TC.
— Iain MacIntyre (@imacSportsnet) September 5, 2017
And so it begins. Canucks fans lose out on their first chance to get a close-up look at the highly-touted prospect who joined the organization in last spring's Alex Burrows trade. And as Iain MacIntyre points out, Dahlen's development path may be altered by this illness. The 19-year-old wasn't expected to make a serious run at the Canucks roster, but it seemed like the preferred option was to park him in Utica to start the season, where he'd be close at hand for a potential call-up at some point.
Dahlen : "Really tough for me, I was so prepared. Still pumped, this is just a little setback." #Canucks
— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) September 6, 2017
If you're feeling a sense of deja vu from this news, you're not wrong. The Canucks' 2014 Young Stars roster got a double dose.
Jared McCann & Cole Cassels will both miss the YoungStars tournament due to mono. #Canucks
— Canucks Prospects (@NucksWatch) September 12, 2014
Jake Virtanen also missed that 2014 Young Stars tournament as he recovered from offseason shoulder surgery before returning to Calgary for his final season with the Hitmen.
Here's the Canucks' full roster for this year's tournament:
#Canucks announce 2017 Young Stars Tournament roster. pic.twitter.com/MRdIV4UpjD
— J.D. Burke (@JDylanBurke) September 5, 2017
The lineup is highlighted by two first-round draft picks: sniper Brock Boeser and defenseman Olli Juolevi.
After some talk that Juolevi was tipping the scales at close to 200 pounds at development camp back in July, he's listed at 180 on the Young Stars roster.
Juolevi has arguably more on the line than any other Canucks prospect at this tournament. Still 19, he's not eligible to play in Utica. He needs to make the Canucks. Otherwise, he'll play in Europe or return for a third season with the OHL's London Knights.
Lehto says Juolevi is concentrating on making the #Canucks and not where he will play if he doesn't make it in Vancouver.
— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) September 5, 2017
I'm hoping that Juolevi will look dominant against the Oilers, Flames and Jets forward prospects this weekend.
Other Canucks forwards who should be fun to watch include this year's two second-rounders, Kole Lind of the Kelowna Rockets and Jonah Gadjovich of the Owen Sound Attack. Also, keep an eye on big free-agent centre Zack MacEwen, who played a robust game at development camp in July.
On the blue line, 2015 third-rounder Guillaume Brisebois will be getting set to start his pro career in Utica this fall after a solid run through the QMJHL. Listed at 175 pounds when he was drafted two years ago, the 6'3" Brisebois is coming in at 190 this year.
Jalen Chatfield, now 21, was another late-season free-agent signing last spring. He had a good run during the OHL playoffs with Windsor and will also be ready to play in Utica this fall.
The Canucks bring three strong goaltenders to Young Stars this year. Thatcher Demko will be returning to Utica with Richard Bachman—most likely in a starting role after a strong finish to the 2016-17 season. Michael Garteig has been signed to an AHL contract but I'd expect he'll start the season in the ECHL again this year—the Canucks are back with the Kalamazoo Wings after a one-year affiliation with the now-defunct Alaska Aces.
Newly-drafted Michael DiPietro will also be on hand and should be fun to watch. He'll be headed back to Windsor this fall, and has an inside track for one of the goaltending spots with Team Canada at the World Junior Championship.
TSN's venerable Insider Bob McKenzie is making his way to Penticton for the first part of the camp. He weighed in this morning on the other main subject on the minds of Canucks fans:
My expectation is Horvat's new deal is likely to have a term north of 5 years (6 or 7?) and an AAV north of $5M (but not $6M).
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) September 6, 2017
These numbers seem to line up in the same ballpark.
Polled a few NHL agents about Bo Horvat, most feel Horvat is worth 5.6 to 5.8 million on a 6 year deal. #Canucks
— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) September 6, 2017
Rick Dhaliwal adds that Horvat is still in Ontario for the time being. That's standard procedure for a player without a contract. The Canucks still have about a week to get him signed before main camp opens for veterans. Preseason games kick off on September 16 in Los Angeles—just 10 days away!
A few more players have joined the team's informal skating sessions today:
Sutter, Granlund, Goldobin & PTO'er Ryan White joining the #Canucks group on the ice this morning @TSN1040
— Jeff Paterson (@patersonjeff) September 6, 2017
Also, add Loui Eriksson to that list.
Loui Eriksson arrives for Year 2 with #Canucks pic.twitter.com/2P5pjoSDJv
— Jeff Paterson (@patersonjeff) September 6, 2017
Let's wrap up today with a slice of life from the KHL. Wow, Nikita Tryamkin!
Nikita Tryamkin goes coast to coast for his beauty goal today#Canucks pic.twitter.com/KqMs6oCV9E
— Ryan Biech (@ryanbiech) September 6, 2017