Delivering the Sauce: Top-10 Canucks Prospects (Part II)

In the first part of this series, I listed my top five prospects in the organization. The depth in goal is stronger than it has been at any point in franchise history (my number one and number five prospects are both goaltenders – Eddie Lack, and Joe Cannata, respectively), and there are some intriguing names at both defense and forward. How does the Canucks prospect group stack up heading in to the offseason? In the final installment of this two-part series, I’ll reveal the second half of my list.

To clarify, my cut-off for prospects is 25 NHL games of experience for skaters (no Zack Kassian or Chris Tanev), and 25 games of NHL experience for goaltenders. I took many factors into consideration – risk and reward, the estimated time of arrival, potential fit on the 2012-13 roster, and more.

Joseph Labate LW/C – The rangy winger should get more responsibility this season at Wisconson.

Yann Sauve D – Hasn’t taken huge steps forward and certainly doesn’t appear to have the offensive upside he was once projected to possess. Good size and speed, should settle in as a solid, low-event depth guy (and potential Vigneault favorite).

Adam Polasek D – Intriguing combination of size and skill. Needs more AHL seasoning.

Jeremy Price D – has taken great strides at Colgate – has NHL upside.

Chicago used their 2nd round draft pick in 2007 on Sweatt, with the hope that his hockey sense and hands would catch up with his skating (unfortunately, neither happened). Five years after being drafted, Sweatt has only played two mostly unremarkable games at the NHL level. He had a solid four-year career at Colorado College, and has scored 36 goals over the past two AHL seasons. He won’t be a top six forward at the NHL level, but with his speed and tenacity, he could become a very good energy winger. Picking a prospect that will max out as a 15-to-20-goal third line winger for a top 10 list may seem stupid, but Sweatt is a lock to at least play in the NHL. Upside and potential is great, but he should fill an important role with this club for a long time. For a comparable, think of how effective Todd Marchant used to be for Edmonton.

Friesen’s spectacular offensive campaign (26 goals and 71 points in 62 games with Niagara) must be tempered a bit – he was a 20-year-old playing against mostly younger players, and the Ice Dogs iced a formidable roster. That being said, his contributions extended beyond the score sheet. Friesen is regarded as one of the best faceoff men in the OHL, and his defensive acumen and tenacity make him one of the best defensive forwards, too. His only real knock is his size (he’s very generously listed at 5’10” and 190 pounds), and it will be interesting to see if he can successfully translate his physical forechecking style to the professional game. Like Sweatt, there are prospects left off of this list that may have more upside, but Friesen plays a pro-type of game already (consistent, hard on the puck, quick in his decision making). He is closer to the NHL than you may think.

On the surface, Rodin’s 2011-12 season in Chicago was a disappointing one – 10 goals and 27 points in 62 games. However, it was his first season in North America, and he looked much more comfortable with and without the puck as the season wore on (trending up, if you will). His skill set is obvious. With the puck on his stick, Rodin can beat defenders with his hands and his speed. He has great vision and a heavy wrist shot. The Canucks will be patient with him, but he will need to up his goal production considerably before warranting a call up to the big club. He still struggles with the size and strength of AHL defensemen, and has had some injury issues in the past (although he appears to be past the big one – shoulder tendonitis). Scoring has let the Canucks down in crucial situations in each of the past two seasons, and Rodin could be a part of the long term solution.

The slick-skating defenseman was a big part of one of the best power play units in the entire NCAA. McNally’s best attribute is his hockey sense – something common among all great NHL power play quarterbacks. He will likely spend another few years in college (many speculate that since he attended Harvard he may want to get his degree first, but a professional contract offer has a funny way of changing things). Vancouver doesn’t have an elite defensive prospect, but they have several very good ones. The 20-year-old defenseman was a finalist for rookie of the year in the ECAC (the conference Harvard plays in). He had 28 points in 34 games – pretty impressive production. The rest of his game is pretty solid, as well. I profiled him back in January – worth the read if you want more information on him.

I’m not sure if Corrado still goes by ‘Frankie,’ but I figured it was time for him to become Frank (I have trouble calling any person I don’t know personally ‘Frankie’). His third full season in the OHL saw him earn a nomination for the Defenseman of the Year Award (won, unsurprisingly, by Niagara’s Dougie Hamilton. Or is it Doug?). Corrado isn’t an offensive superstar, but he plays a steady two-way game. He has scored only eight goals in 186 OHL career games – a power play quarterback, he is not. The biggest improvement he made from 2010-11 to 2011-12 was in the defensive zone. His plus-minus (not a perfect measuring stick, mind you) increased from minus- 10 to plus-26.

In the annual poll among OHL Eastern Conference coaches, Corrado was in the running for most improved player (third), best penalty killer (third) and best defensive defenseman (third).

To check out my top-five Canucks prospects, click here.