Opinion: Vancouver Canucks Prospect Pyramid

NHL

It is time to make a Prospect Pyramid for the Vancouver Canucks. Now, this is not my idea. This was an idea created by Youtuber, Podcast Host and Sportsnet Personality, (And my hero) Steve “Dangle” Glynn two years ago. He was tired of ranking prospects by list, so he created a new idea: a prospect pyramid with tiers.

Now I thought this was an excellent idea. It is much easier and less time-consuming. Fans decided to do Prospect Pyramids for their teams. Steve did another prospect pyramid the following season.

Vancouver Canucks Prospect Pyramid

The Vancouver Canucks have arguably the best prospect pool in the NHL. I decided to make a  prospect pyramid for the Canucks.

Here is my Vancouver Canucks Prospect Pyramid with an explanation of each tier. Remember these are just my opinion. I’m not a scout or a draft analyst. I’m just a guy ranking prospects based on his own opinion, watching highlights and reading scouting reports. You can debate me in the comments and on Twitter.

Tier 1: None

This tier is only for generational talent. Some examples are Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, and Rasmus Dahlin. I was tempted to put Elias Pettersson in this tier but he is not a generational talent, unfortunately.

Tier 2: Pettersson, Hughes, and Demko

Elias Pettersson is the best Canucks prospect. I mean I already talked about him a lot in previous articles. We already know about his record-breaking season in the SHL. He impressed at the first Young Stars Tournament in Penticton where he scored 2 filthy goals. I can’t wait to see what he can do with the big club.  His size might be a problem but his shot, skating, and puck handling are off the charts. First, he will have to adjust to the North American Ice surface and start out on the wing.

Quinn Hughes is going to play another year in college and that is not necessarily a bad thing. If won’t hurt for another year of development anyway. Plus, he wants to help Michigan win the National Championship. The 2018 7th overall pick  He’s an excellent skater and puck handler who can defend very well.

As for Demko, he is on his way to becoming the Canucks goalie of the future. He really knows how to prepare for each shot and has very good at moving for the cross crease. He has posted decent numbers for the Utica Comets (including a 2.44 GAA and 922 save percentage in 46 AHL games)  and might see some playing time this coming season.

Tier 3: Dahlen, Juolevi, and  Gaudette

I’m probably gonna get backlash by not putting in Dahlen and Juolevi in tier 2. Believe me, this was a tough decision.  I think Dahlen and Juolevi don’t have a ceiling as a high as Pettersson or Hughes.

Jonathan Dahlen has a ton of upside. He is very offensively minded and a goal scorer who helps makes plays as well. He is very creative and has great hockey sense. Dahlen scored 44 points in 44 games with Timra last season. (23 goals and 21 assists.) He is a dark horse to make the Canucks. Originally,I had him in Utica to start the season but the way he has played so far in the Young Stars Tournament makes me wonder if he could start the season with the big club. If so, what does that mean for some of the veterans forwards? Dahlen can be a solid top six player for the Canucks

Olli Juolevi receives some criticism from fans. it is mainly because the 5th overall pick in 2016 has yet to play a game. Also, some fans were pretty ticked off at Jim Benning on passing on Matthew Tkachuk for Juolevi. However, we should not sleep on Juolevi yet. He was working with former Canucks defenceman Sami Salo in Finland. With TPS of the Finnish League, Juolevi had seven goals and 12 assists in 38 games. Juolevi is a complete all-around defenceman who can play in every zone. He shuts down top players of the opposition and creates offense and helps on the special teams. He could start the season in Utica but there is a possibility of him starting with the Canucks as well. Juolevi has the makings of a very good top 2 defenceman.

Lind, Woo, and Dipietro

Adam Gaudette won the Hobey Baker last season for the best player in College Hockey.  With Northeastern he had 30 goals and 30 assists in 38 games. Gaudette then signed with the Canucks and played the last five games of the season with them.  It is unclear if he would start the season with the Canucks or start with the Utica Comets. He has had a good young stars tournament so far by scoring a goal. Gaudette played alright in the final five games. He is a strong and fast player who can handle the puck really well. He likes to go hard to the net and isn’t afraid to get physical. Gaudette at best could be a top six or top nine center.

Kole Lind can score. He knows how to pass as well. Lind had 29 goals and 56 assists in 58 games for the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets last season. I do see him playing with the Utica Comets for some time. At best he can be a really solid top six forward. Lind is already looking like a draft steal for the Canucks.

Jett Woo doesn’t just have a great name. He was a great pick by the Canucks and has the potential to be a solid top 4 defenceman and a fan favorite. Woo had  nine goals and 16 assists in 44 games with the Moose Jaw Warriors. He is a physical player who knows the right time to pinch and has some offensive upside and can help on the power play.

Michael Dipietro can be a starting goaltender in the NHL. He had a GAA of 2.79 and a save percentage of 9.10. He is slowing improving his game as well.

Tier 4: Gadjovich, Palmu, Chatfield, Thiessen, Brassard, Utenen, and Manukyan

Jonah Gadjovich is a feisty winger with size and speed. He understands the play well and gets under the skin of his opponents. Gaadjovich really knows how to get in front of the net for the screen. He can be a good top nine player in the NHL. He had 25 goals and 23 assists in 42 games with the Owen Sound Attack last season.

Petrus Palmu is small but he has the speed and skill of an NHLer. He has great hockey IQ and puck handling skills. I see Palmu as a top-nine forward at best. He had 17 goals and 19 assists in 59 games with TPS of the Finnish League last season.

Jalen Chatfield is a two-way defenseman who skates well and makes good passes. He had only seven points in 60 games with the Utica Comets but he hopes to improve.

Matthew Thiessen at best can be a backup goaltender. However, we shouldn’t really sleep on him because I could be totally wrong here.

Matt Brassard has certainly caught attention from Canucks fans. He had 16 goals and 35 assists in 67 games with Oshawa Generals last season. His offense has really improved and so has his defensive game. At best he can play a top-six role with the Canucks.

Toni Utenen and Artyum Manukyan were both drafted in the later rounds of last June’s Draft. Steven is a solid two-way defenceman who rarely makes mistakes and has a strong hockey IQ. Artyom Manukyan already has three goals in the KHL at the time of this writing. He has a great shot and hockey IQ. He can also create scoring chances for his teammates and uses his puck skills to undress this opponent.

Tier 5: Mackewn, Sautner, Brisbois, Madden, Lockwood, Jasek and Carcone

I’m not going to spend much time in this tier. The ceiling of these guys is likely gonna be as depth players. This rings true for Mckewn, Sautner, Brisbois, and Carcone. However, William Lockwood could turn into something despite his injuries. Even though I’m putting him here doesn’t mean he can’t prove me wrong. Same goes for Lukas Jasek. For now, I don’t see him turning into much but you never know. Tyler Madden at best can be a depth center but he could prove me wrong as well.

Tier 6: EVERYBODY ELSE

Basically, guys who are unlikely to make an impact in the NHL or I forgot to rank them.

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Photo Credit

Photo Courtesy of John Biehler