The Vancouver Canucks dropped another game on home ice Tuesday night, this time falling to the middling St. Louis Blues.
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They managed to come away a point despite being outplayed – a recurring theme on home soil – and behind late in the third period. But given the state of the Canucks&#8217; defensive corps, the loss looked and hit a little differently.
Erik Brännström found himself in the press box as a healthy scratch for the first time since his October recall. And his absence highlighted some major flaws within this current corps.
With him out of the lineup and Filip Hronek out with injury, Vancouver rolled out an NHL/AHL hybrid-level defensive corps of:
Quinn Hughes – Tyler Myers 
Carson Soucy – Noah Juulsen 
Mark Friedman – Vincent Desharnais
To put it bluntly, without Quinn Hughes eating 29:50 of ice time and showcasing his puck-moving wizardry, the final score likely sings a different tune. If anything, It was a stark reminder that size and the ability to kill penalties will only take you so far, and eventually, you will need to move the puck.
Derek Forbort returned to the ice on Thursday, which seemed to jolt the backend. With Forbort replacing Desharnais, the unit played a much stronger game against the defending Stanley Cup Champions, the Florida Panthers.
But that doesn&#8217;t mask the fact there is a need for change.
By now, it’s quite evident there is a glaring need for reinforcements on the back end. The in-house situation isn’t improving anytime soon, either. Hughes’ top-pairing partner, Hronek, is expected to remain sidelined for an extended period of time. And, even when he does return, it’s fair to ask: will his presence alone be enough to stabilize this blue line?
The sample size has shown us that the answer is a resounding no. From day one, the need for an additional – or two – puck mover from the backend is a hole in desperate need of filling. Management had hoped that they could feast their eyes on what a fully healthy Canucks team may look like, but with Hronek now out, the time to pull the trigger may be now.
With no obvious needle movers in the system ready to step into a full-time NHL role, the Canucks will likely have to turn to the trade market for a solution.
But pulling off a trade of significance requires assets — and that brings us to Vancouver’s prospect pool, which does carry a few intriguing defensive options that have progressed quite well and could be leveraged in a packaged deal.
While no one wants to see one of the youngsters be shipped off, sometimes it’s wise to strike while the irons are hot, and this management has already showcased their ability to make shrewd moves. Last season, they moved on from defensive prospect Hunter Brzustewicz amidst a potential historic OHL season, so the precedent has already been set.
But who could warrant enough to be packaged in a worthwhile trade?
The easy solution lies with two of the organization&#8217;s top prospects: Tom Willander and Jonathan Lekkerimäki. However, with both offering solid potential to become full-fledged members of Vancouver in due time, perhaps it&#8217;s best to look a little further down the line.
Here’s a look at three left-shot defensive prospects who have boosted their stock and might form part of a package to land NHL-ready help.
<blockquote>Elias Pettersson (D) – The Shutdown Specialist</blockquote>
At 6-foot-3 and 209 pounds, Elias Pettersson is likely the most physically NHL-ready prospect in the Canucks’ pipeline. Currently patrolling the blue line for the Abbotsford Canucks, the 20-year-old Swede has made a quick name for himself as a rugged, shutdown defender.
Pettersson thrives in his own zone, using his size and skating ability to shut down and frustrate opponents effectively. He’s relentless at protecting the net front and isn’t shy about throwing his weight around to make life miserable for opposing forwards.
If you like meat and potatoes, then D-Petey is your best option.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Elias Pettersson (D) has been Abbotsford&#39;s most consistent defender. He&#39;s got 4 assists, is the only active defender with a plus rating (+3) and averages over a hit and block per game with ~18 minutes per night. 
He logged a season-high 20:52 on the top pair last night. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Canucks?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Canucks</a> <a href="https://t.co/sEPu96QkIY">pic.twitter.com/sEPu96QkIY</a>
&mdash; Dave Hall (@davehall1289) <a href="https://twitter.com/davehall1289/status/1858284215563096187?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 17, 2024</a></blockquote>
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As one of Abbotsford’s top penalty killers and an occasional top-pairing option, Pettersson has embraced the grind of North American professional hockey.
Offensively, his numbers are modest — one goal and 10 points this season — and there is a chance that his production goes scarce once in the NHL and his focus remains on the shutdown elements. But his ability to confidently move the puck up-ice adds some value to his game.
Given his early reputation and NHL poise, there&#8217;s an argument that the young Swede could bring the highest value of the crop, and form a solid addition to the bundle to fetch a ready now asset in return.
<blockquote>Kirill Kudryavtsev – The Dynamic Puckmover</blockquote>
As a former seventh round pick, the simple fact that Kirill Kudryavtsev could even be mentioned in these talks is nothing short of a testament to the tremendous work put in by the player, but also the foresight from this organization&#8217;s amateur scouting team.
At just 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, the Russian defender is the polar opposite of Pettersson in terms of play style.
Now in his AHL rookie campaign, he has quickly blossomed into a dynamic two-way defender in Abbotsford. His skating is fluid, his puck-moving skills are sharp, and his ability to quarterback a power play has a history of turning heads.
This season, Kudryavtsev has earned a role on Abbotsford’s second power play unit and has steadily seen his ice time increase. Thanks to his hockey IQ and adept ability to stretch a pass, he’s notched two goals and eight assists while maintaining a strong defensive presence.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Kirill Kudryavtsev had a solid debut weekend.
Despite averaging just over 8 minutes as the 7th defenceman, he impacted nearly every shift. 
Rotating with different partners, he saw PK time, played some shifts on the right side, and even picked up his first assist. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Canucks?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Canucks</a> <a href="https://t.co/hkBwJNLT80">pic.twitter.com/hkBwJNLT80</a>
&mdash; Dave Hall (@davehall1289) <a href="https://twitter.com/davehall1289/status/1846241452038541409?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 15, 2024</a></blockquote>
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One of his standout traits is his versatility. He seamlessly shifts to the right side when needed, a skill that’s increasingly valuable in today’s NHL; he can kill penalties and be an offensive threat from the backend.
His lighter frame and lack of physicality raise questions about whether he can handle the grind of a full NHL season, but as the fourth highest producing U21 AHL defender, he&#8217;s swiftly forcing onlookers to forgive said potential deficiencies.
Moving a seventh-round pick turned legitimate NHL prospect might sting, but his skill set could also make him a valuable piece in a trade package.
<blockquote>Sawyer Mynio, LD – The Wild Card</blockquote>
Drafted in the third round in 2023, Sawyer Mynio is an intriguing blend of tools and upside.
Now captain of the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds, the Kamloops native has developed into a versatile, “jack-of-all-trades” defender.
Mynio is known for his aggressive style of play, combining sound defensive instincts with an ability to jump into the rush and contribute offensively.
Last year, he posted an impressive draft-plus-one season (16 goals, 53 points) in Seattle, and although he has dealt with some injury issues, he has continued to trend positively this season.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Sawyer Mynio (#43) goals for your timeline. 
Mynio is 18 years old and 29 games into his WHL season. He&#39;s picked up eight goals and added 16 assists to be at 0.83 points per game &#8211; nearly doubling his point-per-game rate from last season.
He is still a beast on the PK as well. <a href="https://t.co/1N3Ba7Ih1l">pic.twitter.com/1N3Ba7Ih1l</a>
&mdash; 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀 Faber 🔥 (@ChrisFaber39) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisFaber39/status/1744805823153582276?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 9, 2024</a></blockquote>
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His competitive motor – at times, too competitive – and heavy shot make him a compelling prospect, and one that has already caught the attention of the Canucks’ brass.
He&#8217;s currently in Ontario, battling for a spot on Team Canada’s World junior roster. With a solid tournament under his belt, his stock could rise even further for trade negotiations.
The knock on Mynio is his lack of professional experience and size. At 181 pounds, he looked physically outmatched during his brief one-game stint with Abbotsford last spring. While that could change as he bulks up, there’s still a degree of uncertainty surrounding his ability to translate his game to the pro level.
Mynio’s stock is rising, but he remains unproven. Trading him now could mean cashing in while his value is relatively high and unknown.
It’s never easy to part with promising young players, especially those who have probably punched above their former draft spot. But the reality is that not all prospects pan out, and with the Canucks in desperate need of defensive reinforcements, tough decisions may need to be made.
Whether it&#8217;s Pettersson’s shutdown ability, Kudryavtsev’s offensive upside, or Mynio’s all-around potential, each of these prospects brings something different to the table for a team in need.
For a full-fledged NHL-ready top-four defender, it&#8217;s likely that either option will need to be included with a package that includes a player, prospect and a pick. In that case, all three carry relatively similar trade values in a vacuum, but could bring higher value to a specific team in need.
The question is: Which one would you be most willing to part with in a deal to strengthen the Canucks’ blue line?
With the trade deadline inching closer and Vancouver’s playoff hopes hanging in the balance, the spotlight will be on the front office to find solutions — and some of those solutions might just come at the cost of one of these rising stars.
Sponsored by bet365
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Sawyer Mynio during the Vancouver Canucks' 4-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets at the 2024 Young Stars Classic from Penticton, BC.

The Vancouver Canucks dropped another game on home ice Tuesday night, this time falling to the middling St. Louis Blues.
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&nbsp;

They managed to come away a point despite being outplayed – a recurring theme on home soil – and behind late in the third period. But given the state of the Canucks' defensive corps, the loss looked and hit a little differently.

Erik Brännström found himself in the press box as a healthy scratch for the first time since his October recall. And his absence highlighted some major flaws within this current corps.

With him out of the lineup and Filip Hronek out with injury, Vancouver rolled out an NHL/AHL hybrid-level defensive corps of:

Quinn Hughes – Tyler Myers
Carson Soucy – Noah Juulsen
Mark Friedman – Vincent Desharnais

To put it bluntly, without Quinn Hughes eating 29:50 of ice time and showcasing his puck-moving wizardry, the final score likely sings a different tune. If anything, It was a stark reminder that size and the ability to kill penalties will only take you so far, and eventually, you will need to move the puck.

Derek Forbort returned to the ice on Thursday, which seemed to jolt the backend. With Forbort replacing Desharnais, the unit played a much stronger game against the defending Stanley Cup Champions, the Florida Panthers.

But that doesn't mask the fact there is a need for change.

By now, it’s quite evident there is a glaring need for reinforcements on the back end. The in-house situation isn’t improving anytime soon, either. Hughes’ top-pairing partner, Hronek, is expected to remain sidelined for an extended period of time. And, even when he does return, it’s fair to ask: will his presence alone be enough to stabilize this blue line?

The sample size has shown us that the answer is a resounding no. From day one, the need for an additional – or two – puck mover from the backend is a hole in desperate need of filling. Management had hoped that they could feast their eyes on what a fully healthy Canucks team may look like, but with Hronek now out, the time to pull the trigger may be now.

With no obvious needle movers in the system ready to step into a full-time NHL role, the Canucks will likely have to turn to the trade market for a solution.

But pulling off a trade of significance requires assets — and that brings us to Vancouver’s prospect pool, which does carry a few intriguing defensive options that have progressed quite well and could be leveraged in a packaged deal.

While no one wants to see one of the youngsters be shipped off, sometimes it’s wise to strike while the irons are hot, and this management has already showcased their ability to make shrewd moves. Last season, they moved on from defensive prospect Hunter Brzustewicz amidst a potential historic OHL season, so the precedent has already been set.

But who could warrant enough to be packaged in a worthwhile trade?

The easy solution lies with two of the organization's top prospects: Tom Willander and Jonathan Lekkerimäki. However, with both offering solid potential to become full-fledged members of Vancouver in due time, perhaps it's best to look a little further down the line.

Here’s a look at three left-shot defensive prospects who have boosted their stock and might form part of a package to land NHL-ready help.
<blockquote>Elias Pettersson (D) – The Shutdown Specialist</blockquote>
At 6-foot-3 and 209 pounds, Elias Pettersson is likely the most physically NHL-ready prospect in the Canucks’ pipeline. Currently patrolling the blue line for the Abbotsford Canucks, the 20-year-old Swede has made a quick name for himself as a rugged, shutdown defender.

Pettersson thrives in his own zone, using his size and skating ability to shut down and frustrate opponents effectively. He’s relentless at protecting the net front and isn’t shy about throwing his weight around to make life miserable for opposing forwards.

If you like meat and potatoes, then D-Petey is your best option.

https://twitter.com/davehall1289/status/1858284215563096187

As one of Abbotsford’s top penalty killers and an occasional top-pairing option, Pettersson has embraced the grind of North American professional hockey.

Offensively, his numbers are modest — one goal and 10 points this season — and there is a chance that his production goes scarce once in the NHL and his focus remains on the shutdown elements. But his ability to confidently move the puck up-ice adds some value to his game.

Given his early reputation and NHL poise, there's an argument that the young Swede could bring the highest value of the crop, and form a solid addition to the bundle to fetch a ready now asset in return.
<blockquote>Kirill Kudryavtsev – The Dynamic Puckmover</blockquote>
As a former seventh round pick, the simple fact that Kirill Kudryavtsev could even be mentioned in these talks is nothing short of a testament to the tremendous work put in by the player, but also the foresight from this organization's amateur scouting team.

At just 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, the Russian defender is the polar opposite of Pettersson in terms of play style.

Now in his AHL rookie campaign, he has quickly blossomed into a dynamic two-way defender in Abbotsford. His skating is fluid, his puck-moving skills are sharp, and his ability to quarterback a power play has a history of turning heads.

This season, Kudryavtsev has earned a role on Abbotsford’s second power play unit and has steadily seen his ice time increase. Thanks to his hockey IQ and adept ability to stretch a pass, he’s notched two goals and eight assists while maintaining a strong defensive presence.

https://twitter.com/davehall1289/status/1846241452038541409

One of his standout traits is his versatility. He seamlessly shifts to the right side when needed, a skill that’s increasingly valuable in today’s NHL; he can kill penalties and be an offensive threat from the backend.

His lighter frame and lack of physicality raise questions about whether he can handle the grind of a full NHL season, but as the fourth highest producing U21 AHL defender, he's swiftly forcing onlookers to forgive said potential deficiencies.

Moving a seventh-round pick turned legitimate NHL prospect might sting, but his skill set could also make him a valuable piece in a trade package.
<blockquote>Sawyer Mynio, LD – The Wild Card</blockquote>
Drafted in the third round in 2023, Sawyer Mynio is an intriguing blend of tools and upside.

Now captain of the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds, the Kamloops native has developed into a versatile, “jack-of-all-trades” defender.

Mynio is known for his aggressive style of play, combining sound defensive instincts with an ability to jump into the rush and contribute offensively.

Last year, he posted an impressive draft-plus-one season (16 goals, 53 points) in Seattle, and although he has dealt with some injury issues, he has continued to trend positively this season.

https://twitter.com/ChrisFaber39/status/1744805823153582276

His competitive motor – at times, too competitive – and heavy shot make him a compelling prospect, and one that has already caught the attention of the Canucks’ brass.

He's currently in Ontario, battling for a spot on Team Canada’s World junior roster. With a solid tournament under his belt, his stock could rise even further for trade negotiations.

The knock on Mynio is his lack of professional experience and size. At 181 pounds, he looked physically outmatched during his brief one-game stint with Abbotsford last spring. While that could change as he bulks up, there’s still a degree of uncertainty surrounding his ability to translate his game to the pro level.

Mynio’s stock is rising, but he remains unproven. Trading him now could mean cashing in while his value is relatively high and unknown.

It’s never easy to part with promising young players, especially those who have probably punched above their former draft spot. But the reality is that not all prospects pan out, and with the Canucks in desperate need of defensive reinforcements, tough decisions may need to be made.

Whether it's Pettersson’s shutdown ability, Kudryavtsev’s offensive upside, or Mynio’s all-around potential, each of these prospects brings something different to the table for a team in need.

For a full-fledged NHL-ready top-four defender, it's likely that either option will need to be included with a package that includes a player, prospect and a pick. In that case, all three carry relatively similar trade values in a vacuum, but could bring higher value to a specific team in need.

The question is: Which one would you be most willing to part with in a deal to strengthen the Canucks’ blue line?

With the trade deadline inching closer and Vancouver’s playoff hopes hanging in the balance, the spotlight will be on the front office to find solutions — and some of those solutions might just come at the cost of one of these rising stars.

Sponsored by bet365
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