Scout’s Evaluation: Projecting Canucks prospect Tom Willander

I used to be lately brainstorming with our editor at Sportsnet.ca, our fearless chief Rory Boylen, and we landed on an concept for a brand new month-to-month column that may replace our readers on the progress of prospects from all the Canadian NHL franchises.

The top objective is to offer our readers with an extra layer of perception into prospects like Vancouver Canucks defenceman Tom Willander, Toronto defence prospect Ben Danford, and Montreal Canadiens goaltending prospect Jacob Fowler. The method can even embody different prospects who’re flying underneath the radar, however proceed to pattern in a constructive course and are price scouting and checking in on.

These month-to-month prospect studies will concentrate on one trending participant from every Canadian NHL group, and I can even establish an extra participant who I’m monitoring for a future version.

The gamers I write about will typically be growing outdoors of the NHL and will embody these within the AHL, CHL, NCAA, or European junior and professional leagues. Nonetheless, in some circumstances I would concentrate on a participant who was lately known as as much as the NHL, however has but to ascertain himself in a full-time function.

We should always word that not all organizations have the identical high quality of NHL prospects. A few of the Canadian franchises have gone by a big rebuilding course of (Montreal) in comparison with others who’ve been in “win now” mode (Edmonton) and sacrificed draft capital in trades to help with bolstering their present NHL lineups.

With all the above in thoughts, I’m excited to offer the October prospect report:

Tom Willander, 6-foot-1, 180 kilos, proper shot defenceman
Drafted eleventh general in 2023

Willander made his Canucks debut on Tuesday evening versus the New York Rangers and logged a complete 12:37 of ice time. He was deployed at even power (10:54) and the facility play (1:22) together with a small dose on the penalty-kill (0:21). Willander directed two pictures on web and wasn’t scored in opposition to when he was on the ice. The Canucks had been shutout by the Rangers so he clearly didn’t contribute offensively on the scoresheet.

Willander has been averaging over 21 minutes per evening on the AHL stage and rising his recreation by the use of being utilized in all key conditions. It’s not simple for a rookie defenceman to ply his commerce within the AHL. I’m unsure many individuals acknowledge how exhausting the gamers in that league are to play in opposition to. The eye to element isn’t the identical because the NHL, however the compete stage and bodily push again makes life particularly troublesome on children.

I’ve damaged down Willander’s recreation over his first phase within the AHL and got here away with largely constructive viewings.

The largest adjustment younger defenders must make once they graduate to the professional recreation is reacting to the velocity and the restricted quantity of house there may be to make performs with the puck. There is not a number of time to suppose and it exams the hockey sense of younger defencemen. They have to regulate their recreation accordingly.

Right here’s a sequence I observed in one among Willander’s current video games on the AHL stage in Abbotsford. His energetic stick beside his personal web creates a turnover and results in an outlet to ahead Chase Stillman. Sadly, Stillman turned the puck over excessive within the zone and the play returned to its authentic location deep within the Canucks’ zone.

At this stage Willander has a option to make: both reverse the play to his accomplice or chip it again into stress. I’ve highlighted the consequence, however it’s ironic, and fortunate, the Canucks ended up getting a defensive zone exit off a mishandled puck from their opponent.

What I recognize most about Willander’s recreation is his skill to recuperate, or make performs, due to his excellent skating skill. Right here’s a pattern of Willander quarterbacking the facility play in Abbotsford. His motion, and fast determination making with the puck, stand out to me.

My final clip shows the educational course of that continues to be for Willander. This sequence highlights his skill to pivot to a puck that’s chipped behind him within the impartial zone. His try and outlet the play to his accomplice, Pierre-Olivier Joseph, was ill-timed. Willander had two choices to maneuver the puck and placing it in the course of the ice wasn’t the fitting one.

The Canucks employees will undoubtedly break this play down for Willander and present him the place his higher choices had been within the sequence.

Projection: Willander is trending in a constructive course general. I undertaking him as a second pairing NHL defenceman who can quarterback the second energy play unit and supply an choice for use in all conditions as he matures.

Monitoring: Alexei Medvedev, 6-foot-3, 181 kilos, left catching goaltender

The Canucks are set in objective on the NHL stage for the following a number of years with each Thatcher Demko and Kevin Lankinen signed to long-term offers, however they did choose netminder Alexei Medvedev from the Memorial Cup Champion London Knights within the second spherical (47^th general) on the 2025 Draft. Medvedev is off to a stable begin this yr with the Knights. By way of his first six video games he’s posted a 4-1-1 file, 2.15 GAA and .912 save proportion.

Ben Danford, 6-foot-2, 194 kilos, proper shot defenceman
Drafted thirty first general in 2024

I used to be in Montreal for the rookie showcase in September and got here away impressed with the general development of Danford’s recreation. He’s clearly stronger and extra highly effective than he was final season. Danford isn’t going to maneuver the needle offensively, however he has good dimension, vary, and he’s prepared to dam pictures when required. The majority of his ice time will at all times come at even power and the penalty-kill.

Danford is again within the OHL this season, beginning with the Oshawa Generals the place he was logging a ridiculous quantity of ice time. In his most up-to-date eight-game phase he averaged over 28 minutes per recreation and was deployed in all conditions. He’s produced 1G-3A within the phase and continues to play to his strengths defensively.

Earlier on Thursday Danford was traded to the Brantford Bulldogs, who’re making an attempt to compete for a league title.

Danford skates very nicely and sacrifices his physique for the great of the group, however he’s the sort of prospect who will fly underneath the radar in comparison with others throughout the league who produce extra offence and influence the sport with spotlight reel performs, however he must be revered for his strategy. He performs to his strengths with out straying outdoors his consolation zone. He is aware of what he’s as a participant and the Leafs can belief the best way he assaults the sport.

Projection: Backside pairing, two-way/shut-down defenceman who can slide right into a second pairing function every so often.

Monitoring: Dennis Hildeby, 6-foot-7, 222 kilos, left catching goaltender

The Leafs have lately known as upon one among their AHL goaltenders to fill a void with the NHL membership once they have handled accidents to their netminders. Is Hildeby a full-time NHL goalie transferring ahead? In his first 4 video games with the AHL Marlies he has posted a 2-1-1 file, 2.44 GAA and .903 save proportion.

Ike Howard, 5-foot-10, 181 kilos, left shot ahead
Drafted thirty first general in 2022

This one may appear a bit misplaced to some readers since Howard has performed 10 video games within the NHL already this season, however the actuality is Zach Hyman is near returning to the Oilers lineup and somebody should drop out when that occurs.

Howard’s ice time has been declining lately and he’s averaged solely 9:52 per recreation on the season general. He’s been credited with 12 pictures on objective and scored two objectives in his largely restricted function, however the Oilers should determine what’s finest for Howard’s long-term trajectory earlier than lengthy.

I recognize Howard has fast strike scoring skill, particularly from the weakside flank on the facility play, however he has a methods to go together with his three-zone element on the NHL stage and wishes to say himself as extra of a distraction because the F1 on the forecheck. I don’t envision Howard’s function will elevate when Hyman returns to the lineup and consider he shall be higher suited skating heavy minutes within the AHL as he continues to evolve as a professional.

Projection: Second line ahead who shall be deployed at even power and the facility play.

Monitoring: David Lewandowski, 6-foot-2, 176 kilos, left shot ahead

Lewandowski was drafted by the Oilers within the fourth spherical this previous June. He’s a talented ahead with dimension and good puck contact whose offensive numbers are on the rise taking part in for Saskatoon within the WHL. By way of his first 14 video games this season he has produced 5G-11A. Lewandowski shall be a participant to observe for Group Germany on the world juniors in Minneapolis/St.Paul over the Christmas holidays.

Andrew Basha, 6-foot, 187 kilos, left shot ahead
Drafted forty first general in 2024

Basha has graduated from the WHL’s Medication Hat Tigers and landed within the AHL with the Calgary Wranglers to begin his professional profession.

Basha is at his finest when he’s taking part in a excessive octane and energetic fashion. When he’s hounding pucks to create turnovers and pushing the tempo up ice in transition, he’s a risk to create offence. I recognize how exhausting Basha competes general and consider he can, in time, be deployed in quite a lot of roles up and down the lineup on the NHL stage.

Thus far this season Basha has contributed 1G-1A in a surprisingly restricted function with the Wranglers. He’s averaging simply over 10 minutes per recreation and solely being deployed at even power by his first six AHL video games. I’ll proceed to observe how he evolves and if the teaching employees begins to belief him with extra ice time going ahead.

Projection: Center-six/two-way power ahead who can present secondary offence.

Monitoring: Jacob Battaglia, 6-foot-1, 203 kilos, left shot ahead

Battaglia is one other second-round decide by the Flames (62^nd general) from the 2024 draft. He’s again taking part in for the Kingston Frontenacs within the OHL. Battaglia’s major ice time comes at even power and the facility play. He’s produced 6G-4A in his first 11 video games this season. I’m monitoring his three zone element and shift-to-shift influence general.

Brayden Yager, 6-foot, 170 kilos, proper shot ahead
Drafted 14th general in 2023

Yager is beginning his professional profession on the AHL stage taking part in for the Manitoba Moose and thru his first eight video games he’s averaged simply shy of quarter-hour per recreation. Nearly all of his shifts come at even power and the facility play, and he’s contributed 2G-2A within the phase.

Yager has the ability set to sometime land a top-six function within the Jets lineup. One of many issues that holds him again at this stage of his growth is his power. His hockey sense, skating, and general ability are in place, however he must discover a solution to get stronger. I recognize the actual fact he isn’t chopping corners together with his strategy within the AHL. He’s typically accountable on and off the puck defensively and is constantly engaged from shift to shift. When he provides extra energy to his body his influence will rise to a different stage.

Projection: Second line ahead who can play centre and wing whereas contributing offence at even power and on the facility play.

Monitoring: Colby Barlow, 6-foot-1, 194 kilos, left shot ahead

Barlow, like Yager, is a first-year professional taking part in for the Moose within the AHL. He’s averaging simply shy of 11 minutes of ice time to begin the season and hasn’t but hit his stride offensively. By way of his first eight video games performed he’s produced just one help and he’s a minus-4. I’m monitoring his tempo and talent to search out pucks in excessive hazard scoring areas.

Carter Yakemchuk, 6-foot-4, 207 kilos, proper shot defenceman
Drafted seventh general in 2024

Yakemchuk has began his professional profession on the AHL stage with the Belleville Senators. Relying on the sport situation he’s been averaging between 19-24 minutes per recreation. All of his ice time comes at even power and the facility play, and he’s produced 2G-2A in his first eight AHL video games.

Yakemchuk is adjusting to the tempo and competitiveness of the AHL. He has no points monitoring up and down the ice on time, however his routes to kill performs defensively are a piece in progress. When he’s main the facility play breakout his opponents respect his velocity and usually again off by the impartial zone in an effort to maintain Yakemchuk, and his group, in entrance of them defensively. I’m comfy with how he’s distributing the puck however, once more, there have been cases the place he must make a faster determination transferring performs alongside. Yakemchuk has directed 14 pictures on objectives and he’s a minus-6 within the eight video games.

Projection: Second pairing, two-way defenceman who can contribute secondary offence and push again bodily.

Monitoring: Logan Hensler, 6-foot-3, 198 kilos, proper shot defenceman

The Sens drafted Hensler twenty third general this previous June. He’s a sophomore at Wisconsin the place he’s averaging round 16 minutes per recreation. I’ve at all times appreciated his skating and general agility. In monitoring Hensler I am on the lookout for him to outline his recreation.

The toughest half about breaking down the Canadiens’ prospects is selecting the place to start. The group is loaded with expertise and has a humiliation of property.

Jacob Fowler, 6-foot-2, 214 kilos, left catching goaltender
Drafted 69th general in 2023

The Canadiens have depth in any respect positions within the group and Fowler is a future No. 1 goaltender on the NHL stage. He’s beginning his first full yr on the professional stage suiting up with Laval within the AHL.

By way of his first 5 video games performed Fowler has posted a 3-2 file, 2.40 GAA and .902 save proportion. It’s been an attention-grabbing phase of video games to begin the season for Fowler. He has two shutouts, however has additionally allowed six objectives (versus Belleville) and 4 objectives (versus Manitoba) in his two different begins.

What I like most about Fowler’s recreation is how he makes use of his dimension to his benefit. He fronts shooters and sits tall in his butterfly. His rebound management is usually very sound and his low web protection is great. Fowler has excellent ft. His mobility, monitoring performs back and forth, is excellent.

One thing I observed most within the video games the place he was scored on was how he tracked pucks in visitors, particularly when his crew was down a person on the penalty-kill. It may have been higher. He was glancing over and round opponents, however there have been instances he discovered himself deep within the web guessing the place the puck was coming from.

With Jakub Dobes taking part in at a excessive stage and Samuel Montembeault underneath contract till the top of subsequent season, Montreal might be affected person with Fowler’s growth within the AHL earlier than making a call about him touchdown on the NHL roster.

Projection: No. 1A, beginning NHL goaltender

Monitoring: Alexander Zharovsky, 6-foot-1, 163 kilos, left shot ahead

The Canadiens chosen Zharovsky within the second spherical (34^th general) this previous draft and he may find yourself being a steal. He’s a extremely expert ahead who’s now growing within the KHL taking part in for Salavat UFA. He’s posted 5G-7A in his first 12 common season video games.