The Vancouver Canucks finally have a respectable pool of prospects after a couple of strong years drafting and developing youth under General Manager Jim Benning.
The Vancouver Canucks may have committed to a full rebuild only a few months ago but under scout-turned-general manager Jim Benning, their prospect pool already boasts some top-end talent and depth. The 2016-17 season resulted in a major change in the landscape for Vancouver’s prospects pipeline thanks to trade deadline acquisitions as well as a strong draft.
Just from the two trades and the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, the Canucks were able to add ten prospects, filling up every position with at least one player.
Of course, the Canucks also let go of a few players. Of note, netminder Michael Garteig didn’t stick around with the Canucks after being a popular signing last offseason.
Forward Emerson Etem came at the cost of Nicklas Jensen and was lost via waivers. Blueliner Tom Nilsson left for Europe after an experimental season in the AHL.
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Speaking of leaving the NHL, the departure of Nikita Tryamkin left a big hole in the Canucks prospects pipeline.
The bottom line? The Canucks prospects pipeline is an ever-changing scenery with more new names than ever before. With the addition of so many prospects and the rise and fall of many players already in the system, it’s time for TheCanuckWay’s Canucks Prospects Ranking.
The Canuck Way’s 2017 Canucks Prospects Ranking
Our TCW staff ranked all Canucks prospects. The criteria: whatever each writer thinks is important. Current position in the organisation, talent, potential, and chance of NHL success. All prospects under 24 years of age were considered as long as they did not spend significant time in the NHL.
Before we delve into our Top-20, let’s take a look today at five of the players who just missed the cut but are still interesting projects. Here are your Honourable Mentions for The Canuck Way’s 2017 Canucks Prospects Ranking.
