Roster Down The Road: Defensive Wildcards

Photo credit:Durham Region

5 years ago

It’s been a cooler week in BC, yet the province remains ablaze. So, as Canuck fans patiently wait for the smoke to subside, we continue to eagerly await the arrival of Elias Pettersson, Quinn Hughes, and other notable prospects in the Vancouver system. With this current group of future prospects and current young players, I wondered if the Canucks could build a contender from within. Going through the system, I came to the realization it’s entirely possible. I’ve come up with a roster of young players that the Canucks could see in their lineup by 2022-2023 (When the Beagle and Roussel contracts expire). For this exercise, we will only be using players already in the Canucks system, and we won’t be contemplating any new young players the Canucks could potentially draft (Sorry Jack Hughes).

Finally, we’re going to use the Sporting News prospect ranking.

Last week, we took a look at the goaltender position. We’ll continue by looking at a couple of defense prospects who I don’t have in MY 6 player D core, but who very well COULD force the issue. (I’m not right about everything… maybe anything for that matter.)

2022-2023 ROSTER (PROGRESS)

Left Wing 1 – Center 1 – Right Wing 1
Left Wing 2 – Center 2 – Right Wing 2

Left Wing 3 – Center 3 – Right Wing 3
Left Wing 4 – Center 4 – Right Wing 4

Wildcard F

Left Defense 1 – Right Defense 1
Left Defense 2 – Right Defense 2
Left Defense 3 – Right Defense 3

Wildcard LHD – Wildcard RHD

Thatcher Demko

Michael DiPietro

WILDCARD DEFENSEMEN

Left Handed D-Man

Toni Utunen

The obvious strength of Jim Benning’s tenure as general manager of the Vancouver Canucks has been his drafting. Toni Utunen is another example of a selection that could pay pretty large dividends down the road (hello Adam Gaudette). The Finish defenseman drafted in the 5th round of the 2018 draft isn’t overly flashy, and his highlight package is filled with clips of a player who has high-end hockey smarts, good wheels, but lacks any real flair or high-end upside. Utunen isn’t ranked on the Sporting News Canucks top 10 prospect list and is relatively unknown to the fanbase as I write this today. It’s also fair to wonder if Utunen will be ready for the NHL by 2022-2023, which could make for a perfect defense prospect to have in the wings in Utica. Down below, going to leave some stats AND the highlight package back to back before we continue.

(Utunen’s Regular Season Stats via Eliteprospects.com)

(Utunen’s Tournament Stats via Eliteprospects.com)

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(Credit to the YouTube channel “bigwhite06”)

We’ll start with the regular season statistics, and in correlation with the highlight video, we’re shown a solid overall game but no clear dominance. Utunen doesn’t take too many penalties, showing good discipline while showcasing he has an ability to contribute offensively. It’s worth noting, that this past year he did play 11 games in the Liiga, and that gives me hope that Utunen will outgrow his draft selection. Utunen has also captained the Finland junior team and wore an A at the world junior summer showcase in Kamloops earlier this summer. Speaking of tournaments, he’s had excellent tournament showings in numerous events, putting up points at or near a point per game in 5 of the 6 tournaments he’s been a part of. A leader on the Finnish junior team who likes to step up in big moments always bodes well. For the upcoming season, Utunen will be playing in the Tappara organization, and if he sticks in Finland’s top league, would be huge for his development and his likelihood of making the Canucks at some point in the future.

Now, entering the 2022-2023 season Toni would be 22, turning 23 at the end of April. As far as his development is concerned; Utunen will have played a couple of seasons in the Liiga, captained the Finnish world junior team, and then gone to Utica to learn the North American pro game. Toni’s hockey smarts are his biggest strength and the reason he would develop into an NHL calibre defenseman who could anchor a bottom 4 pair while succeeding on the penalty kill.

The reason he’s a wildcard and not on my roster? I see at least 4 left shot defenseman ahead of him on my depth chart, so he’d need one of those prospects to miss in order to crack the roster on a full-time basis, or injuries to open up a spot and give him the opportunity. I do see him as a depth D man, or the 1st call-up from Utica during the 2022-23 season, so all things considered he’ll get his chance.

Right Handed D-Man

Matt Brassard

Image: Durham Region News

Moving to the right side of the wildcard defensemen, this selection will go to the 2017 seventh round pick, Matt Brassard. Brassard is a puck-moving defenseman who plays for the Oshawa Generals in the Ontario Hockey League. Brassard is another defense prospect not on the Canucks top 10 courtesy of Sporting News, so what are his strengths? What seems to be a theme with this Canucks front office is the emphasis on puck-moving ability, and Brassard possesses that in spades. There’s a lot to like about the 20 year old’s game already, but after an injury didn’t allow him the opportunity to join the Comets for last year’s playoff run; he’ll return to the Generals for all of the 2018-19 season as an overager. You know what’s down below, some stats and a video highlighting Brassard in a single game last year.

(Brassard’s stats via Eliteprospects.com)

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(YouTube video courtesy of the channel “ihaveyuidonttouchme”)

As people are well aware, the massive increase in points from Brassard’s draft year to his draft + 1 season is magnificent. Brassard went from 4 points in 2015-16, to 32 2016-17 (his draft season). However, playing a full year with Oshawa, he went from 32 to 51 and really showcased all he has to offer as that strong puck moving, two way D man. It wasn’t just fans who noticed, Oshawa assistant coach Greg Nemisz was quick to point out some of Brassard’s strengths.

“He has been an excellent puck mover, making plays from the back end,” Nemisz noted. “He has a really, really good shot from the blueline too. There’s a dangerous wrister that always seems to get through. He’s got a real good hockey IQ. He’s got a really good pulse for the game and he’s a guy we lean on to provide offence.” (Courtesy of an interview performed by Eric Welsh)

Lots to like from a 7th rounder. Brassard will need to work on his skating if he wants to succeed in the pro ranks, but with a strong two-way profile and good offensive instincts, Brassard should be able to rise through the ranks of Canucks right handed defence prospects, which is something the Canucks don’t have a lot of.

Now, Brassard is still a long shot to make the Canucks. The reason being is by the time the 2022-2023 season starts, Brassard will already be 24 years old. So for Brassard, he’s going to need to rip up the OHL this year with the Oshawa Generals, go to Utica for a couple seasons and really hone his skating along with his overall game. After that, by age 23 at the latest, we’d need to see Brassard crack some NHL games to really get his feet under him. His trajectory will almost have to be similar to Derrick Pouliot, but instead of being a 1st round pick expected to do great things, he’s breaking the odds as a 7th rounder. No question in my mind, that if Brassard hits he’d push out the right shot defenseman who I have on the roster for this series, it’s just going to take a lot more improvement. If there’s something I will give Brassard credit on, it’s that he’s already shown he’s capable of making the necessary changes in order to get better. Something every young player needs to do in order to be successful.

Both of these defenseman have the ability and the potential to make it in the NHL. Where as Utunen looks to be a solid all-around low noise D man on the left side, Brassard is an offensively gifted D man on the right. Being real here, if these guys both hit then this could be the 3rd pair on a Canucks team looking to compete. Both Utunen and Brassard’s skills complement each other’s extraordinarily well. For now, we’ll continue waiting for their progress and hope for the best.

Quick little side note, thanks a ton to all the support I got on the first article I wrote for CanucksArmy last week. To everyone who commented and discussed, means the world to me and I hope to continue creating quality content to promote discussion. If you’d like to chat with me (awe shucks), my twitter is @cole_marton, as well I’ll be on the comment section on the site to bring up points made by you guys. Thanks again everyone, looking forward to writing for all of you in the future.

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