On a recent episode of Canucks Conversation, David Quadrelli and Harman Dayal welcomed Elite Prospects Director of Film Scouting Cam Robinson to break down what Vancouver Canucks fans should expect from newly signed right-shot defenceman Tom Willander as he enters the professional ranks.

“They’re getting a very cerebral, smooth-skating defenceman on the right side,” Robinson said. “He’s not the biggest, fastest, most dynamic player; he’s not going to wow you with highlight goals or thunderous open-ice hits, but nobody had a better stick in college hockey this year.”

Robinson praised Willander’s defensive instincts, particularly his ability to control gaps and break up plays without overcommitting.

“His ability to gap up, use that stick – he doesn’t chase, he times it perfectly,” Robinson added. “He’s the type of player who’s going to play a significant role for a club in a top-four situation, eating up minutes at five-on-five, killing penalties, maybe seeing some second power play opportunities too.”

The foundation of Willander’s game is in his defensive reliability and transition play, but Robinson pointed out there’s still offensive upside to explore.

“He improved on those things in significant amounts at the NCAA level and I think we’ll see him bring that very swiftly into the pro game,” Robinson said. “The focus should be on him developing a little more of his puckhandling in transition, adding some pop to his shot, some lateral agility in the offensive zone to open up lanes, passing and shooting options.”

As for where Willander starts next season, Robinson expects a steady, development-focused path.

“I would say the safe bet is to say he’ll be in Abbotsford to start the year next year,” he said. “Not to say he doesn’t have a fighting chance at taking the third spot on the right side depending on what they do in free agency. But it would make the most sense for him to get his feet wet in the American League, play 18-20 minutes a night, get those reps in, continue to build on his offensive game while harnessing his defensive side.”

Robinson noted that while Willander wasn’t dominant at the college level, his progression was clear – and that development is best continued with meaningful minutes in the AHL, not rushed NHL deployment.

“As the season wears along or as injuries arise, getting him up for a couple call-ups so he knows and understands what level he needs to get to will be important. He’s still a young kid – you have a long runway with this one and you want to get it right. You don’t want to rush him and lose any confidence.”

Robinson was equally impressed with Willander’s off-ice demeanour.

“He’s very well spoken. Considerate and thoughtful with his responses,” Robinson said. “My job is to get something from these guys, a good quote or something, so I tee things up for him – but he dodges them left, right, and centre. Keeps it very professional. Very ‘this is where I’m at, this is what I’m focusing on.’ He’s a bright kid with a good head on his shoulders.”

Willander’s polished presence in interviews, Robinson noted, likely reflects his background. His father is a high-level skills coach in Sweden who works with elite players, and that influence shows in both his preparation and maturity.

As far as comparables, Robinson pointed to a familiar name for Canucks fans.

“You almost look at him as a lighter version of Charlie McAvoy,” Robinson said. “McAvoy’s got a little more offensive juice but doesn’t put up a ton of points – usually in that 30-40 point range. Willander can get close to that level offensively, but defensively is where the real shutdown potential grows.”

In terms of projection, Robinson sees a few different outcomes depending on how Willander develops in the next couple of years.

“His ultimate ceiling is a complementary first-pairing guy on the right side, someone who can fit in with an offensively inclined left-shot defenceman – which Vancouver has in the best in the world,” he said. “We’ll see if they end up mixing and matching with Hughes long term, but that’s the ceiling. The more realistic outcome is he’s a driver on your second pair with an equally competent partner. He’d be on your first penalty killing unit, potentially second power play, and logging defensive zone starts and all that good stuff at even strength.”

Willander is expected to be part of the Canucks’ training camp this fall. Whether he starts in Vancouver or Abbotsford, the expectation is clear: this is a long-term piece with serious top-four upside.

You can watch the full segment here: