Which Canucks Have the Most to Prove Over the Team’s Final 8 Games?
On today’s episode of Canucks Conversation, David Quadrelli and Harman Dayal discussed which Vancouver Canucks players have the most at stake as the regular season winds down with the team nearly out of playoff contention.
Harm pointed out that several Canucks still have a lot to play for despite likely missing playoffs, unlike some teams where veterans are locked into long-term deals and coasting to the finish line.
“There’s a surprising number of players on this team who have real stakes to play for,” Harm said. “Some teams, like the [Nashville] Predators, for example, they’ve got veterans on big-money contracts, and outside the young guys, there isn’t a whole lot to play for, and you can see they’re going through the motions.”
“For the Canucks right now, there are a lot of guys who want to finish strong. Pius Suter and Brock Boeser are playing for new contracts and they want to produce as much as possible to help their cases. We know Suter has certainly been elevating his stock — has he done enough to make the Canucks look at him as an indispensable piece, to decide this is a guy they should really pay up for on an extension?”
Harm stressed that Aatu Räty, one of the team’s top prospects acquired in the Bo Horvat trade, is entering a make-or-break period.
“This is huge for him,” Harm said. “He’s the most highly touted prospect on this team that requires waivers next season. Sure, [Jonathan] Lekkerimäki is more highly touted, but the pressure won’t be the same on him to figure it out because he’s younger and still has AHL eligibility if required. For Räty, the clock is running out.
“If you want to turn into a full-time NHL player, this is it — when you produce down the stretch, continue the momentum from his last few games, show that he can make a consistent impact and prove he’s decidedly ahead of Nils Aman on the depth chart. You want him to be a guy who contends with Teddy Blueger for a lineup spot next season, so there’s a lot for him on the line.”
Harm then highlighted Dakota Joshua as another key player to watch.
“Tocchet specifically pointed to Joshua yesterday when he was asked about what he’s looking for from guys down the stretch,” he said. “He referenced Joshua, saying he’s looked better the last few games — can he use that as a launching pad?
“We know it’s been a really difficult year for Joshua, but the Canucks are going to need him to be an effective top-nine forward the way he was last year when he could chip in with 15 goals, be heavy along the boards, and be a factor on the forecheck.”
Finally, Harm noted that Thatcher Demko’s finish to the season could impact the team’s long-term plans between the pipes.
“For him to stay healthy and finish strong, what could that mean?” Harm asked. “The Canucks are going to have to make a decision on him too. Given they already have [Kevin] Lankinen signed, do you want all that cap space committed to goaltenders next year? Demko is theoretically eligible for an extension on July 1st with one year left on his contract.”
You can watch the full segment below:
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