The Canucks have locked up promising prospect Kole Lind to an entry-level deal this morning. The full press release can be found below:

The signing of Lind after the NHL trading deadline is not surprising as it allows the organization to have the deal start in 2018-19 and thus not burn a year of the contract for this year. Given Lind’s age, if he had signed the deal between January 1st and February 26th, then it would’ve automatically burned a year of his contract due to already being 19 years old.

This is why Gadjovich was signed last year, to avoid that similar issue and allow the Canucks to have the contract slide.

Despite some injuries, Kole Lind has had a very good season with Kelowna. He has been a leader of their offence in every game that he has appeared in and is tireless in his work ethic. Don’t want to talk too much about his season as his prospect ranking page is still coming.

Since he turns 20 prior to the end of 2018, Lind can (and likely) will be assigned to the Utica Comets next season to begin his professional career.

The organization felt that Lind was a first round talent and was ecstatic to get him with the 33rd overall pick.