Vasili Podkolzin Tops The Canucks Top Ten List

It’s been 10 years since the Canucks were in the Stanley Cup Final which seems like an entire generation of players ago. In a way, it was, and now, the Canucks look to the next group of stars to get them back to the Stanley Cup. Here are the Top 10 prospects in the Canucks organization.

Vasili Podkolzin

The big winger was drafted 10th overall in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. He’s a terrific two-way player, and he’s been playing solid minutes in the KHL. Does everything at top speed, and it’s hard to get the puck away from him. His scoring has gone up in the 2021 KHL playoffs with SKA.

Nils Hoglander

This Swede is only 5-9, but his 190-pound frame makes him hard to handle on the ice with his precision skating. His seven goals and 16 points in his first 37 NHL games are a testament to his good hands and solid wrist shot. His motor never stops. He was a second-round steal in 2019.

Jack Rathbone 

His zone entries are good and safe. He is a solid defenseman, and at 5-11, it’s not a hindrance. He walked the line well and showed improved skating from earlier in his career. He has a great hockey I.Q. After a solid showing in Utica in 2021, the Canucks called up during their Covid-19 outbreak.

Joni Jurmo

He’s a good skating defenseman who gets up the ice quickly. Has an accurate point and a good wrist shot. He’s starting to get hot towards the end of the 2021 season with Kiekko-Espoo who play in Mestis.

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Michael DiPietro

He is a solid goalie who is good with the stick. I like his positioning. He’s smart, and he thinks ahead of the play. DiPietro can handle a large workload in a game. He hasn’t seen much game action in 2021 so far.

Olli Juolevi

The fifth overall pick from the 2016 NHL Entry Draft has found a place in the NHL. Still only 22, his career arc has changed. The Finn is now a solid puck-moving defenseman. He’s smart defensively but won’t put up very many points in the NHL.

Kole Lind

This winger can make the accurate pass and scores on a wicked backhand at times. He does everything offensively with a fast release. His play with Utica was really good so he got called up to help the Canucks during their Covid-related roster issues. Let’s see how consistent he can be shift to shift in the NHL, that could be his issue.

Toni Utunen

This Finn is a good skating, puck-moving defenseman currently playing for Tappara in Liiga. He is a two-way blueliner, but there is some question as to how much offense is in his game down the road.

Jackson Kunz

This 6-3 center scored 20 goals in the USHL this year for Green Bay. He has a good first step off the wall, and his eye-hand coordination is excellent in the crease. He has some play making ability and should be sold at the University of North Dakota. He needs to improve his overall speed.

Jack Malone

A versatile forward with good wheels and some dangle in his game. I saw him play for Cornell last year, but Covid-19 canceled the entire 20-21 campaign, so he went to play for Youngstown in the USHL. He’s doing predictably well there. Malone should show more improvement at Cornell next season.