It’s been another bumpy ride for the Canucks this season. Controversy surrounded the team from ownership to playing on the ice. Trade rumors culminated in the team trading their captain Bo Horvat, players voicing concerns through the media, the controversial treatment of Rachel Duerry and Bruce Boudreau, and so on.
It seems as though the team lacks consistency in their direction between trying to win now and building for the future. It left them in the midst of ambiguity, out of the playoffs and out of the draft lottery.
Looking ahead, the Canucks’ pool of prospects is on the weak side, but they’ve added some key prospects via trade recently to help boost their depth. Not having a first-round pick in the 2020 and 2021 drafts hurt her depth, too.
1. Aato Rati, C – Abbotsford Canucks (AHL)
The age is 20
Weight / Weight: 6-2 / 187
Drafted: 2021 52nd Round by the New York Residents
Acquired as the starting piece in return from the Bo Horvat trade, Raty is the team’s top prospect. He was once considered one of the top favourites in the D-1 season and was poised to be the first overall selection from Finland. However, he fell short his draft year and fell all the way to the second round.
Since then, he has been steadily climbing his way up the ladder with a 40-point season in Liiga in 41 games, and a rookie season in the AHL split between Bridgeport and Abbotsford with 26 points in 53 games. Ratty may not fill the role of a true first center in the NHL or be a franchise player, but he certainly has the upside of being a very valuable second line center. Another year of development in the AHL should be in the cards before he makes the jump to the NHL.
2. Jack Rathbone, LD – Abbotsford Canucks (AHL)
Age: 23
Party / Weight: 5-11 / 190
Drafted: 2017 Fourth Round 95th overall by the Vancouver Canucks
Arguably the Canucks’ best player heading into the season, it’s been a disappointing year for the now 23-year-old. After a solid NCAA career at Harvard where he topped a point in game pace as a sophomore, his first professional season was limited to just 16 games during the 2020-21 season.
Last year, he played 39 games in the AHL and scored 40 points. He was rewarded with nine NHL games but was suspended fruitlessly. With high expectations this season, he was limited to just 11 NHL games and only produced 14 points in 36 AHL games played. It should be seen as a step back.
The top three in defense are set for next season with Quinn Hughes, Tyler Myers and recently acquired Philip Hronk. If the Canucks didn’t add in the offseason, now is the time for Rathbone to break into the Canucks’ top four.
3. Jonathan Lekkerimaki, RW – Djurgardens IF (HockeyAllsvenskan)
Age 18
Weight / Weight: 5-11 / 172
Drafted: 2022 First Round 15th overall by the Vancouver Canucks
Another potential downside this year is the Canucks’ final first-round draft pick. In his draft, he had an outstanding U18 performance by scoring 15 points in six games. He played in the SHL as a scoring qualifier, scoring seven goals and nine points.
Lekkerimaki is a shooter and has a shot at ready in the NHL but Djurgardens has been relegated to HockeyAllsvenskan and at a lower level producing three goals and nine points in 29 games is disappointing. On the bright side, he played well in the WJC as Sweden scored four points in seven matches. However, Lekkerimaki, who is only 18 years old, could take a few more years to develop in Sweden before coming to North America.
4. Linus Carlson, C/RW – Abbotsford Canucks
Age: 23
Weight / Weight: 6-1 / 179
Drafted: 2018 Third Round 87th overall by the Vancouver Canucks
Carlson is a player on the rise. After breaking out the 2021-22 season in the SHL with Skelleftea where he scored 46 points in 52 games and won SHL Rookie of the Year. He was signed by the Canucks after his breakthrough performance. He carried his play into the AHL as a rookie scoring 24 goals and 46 points through 52 games.
His skating has been a concern, but he’s made great strides on the field, and his production and skill have earned him a chance to break camp with the Canucks next year. The prospect of a sleeper with a positive trend is good and one to watch.
5. Aidan McDonough, LW – Vancouver Canucks (NHL)
Age: 23
Weight / Weight: 6-2 / 201
Drafted: 2019 seventh round 195th overall by the Vancouver Canucks
A seventh-round steal, McDonough played four years in the NCAA at Northeastern with an impressive resume including several Beanpot championships, a Hockey East championship, a two-time NCAA All-Star, and 124 points in 124 career games. He quickly signed to his ELC after his senior year and avoided free agency.
His professional NHL career began, and he scored his first career goal in his second game played. McDonough will be vying for an NHL job out of camp next year, but the 23-year-old may need some time in the AHL when the new season begins.
6. Vitaly Kravtsov, RW – Vancouver Canucks (NHL)
Age: 23
Weight / Weight: 6-3 / 191
Drafted: 2018 1st Round Ninth New York Rangers
It has always been a top ten draft pick by the Rangers on the trade block and finally has a new home. He played the last 16 games with the Canucks, scoring 2 points. For a reclamation project on an expired contract, this is very frustrating.
At this point, it is questionable whether Kravtsov will ever come close to living up to his draft position. The skill is there and he has produced it in the KHL and AHL, but his lack of NHL production and reluctance to report to the NHL makes him a flying risk for the KHL contract.
7. Josh Bloom, LW – North Bay Battalion (OHL)
Age: 19
Weight / Weight: 6-2 / 183
Drafted: 2021 95th Third Round by the Buffalo Sabers
Bloom was one of the OHL players who did not play in its draft due to the season being canceled due to the coronavirus. The Sabers still picked him in the third round, and his stock has been rising steadily since then. When the OHL came back, he scored 61 points in 67 games with Saginaw. In his final year in the OHL, he was named captain of the Spirit, traded mid-season to North Bay, and posted a season-high 71 points in 68 combined games.
Bloom has an impressive kit in terms of size, skating and skill as well as some competitive husting and driving. He’ll jump to the pro level as a starter in the AHL next year and head towards an NHL career as a center six winger with some hustle and upward attack.
8. Akito Hirose, LD – Vancouver Canucks (NHL)
Age: 24
Weight / Weight: 6-0 / 170
Drafted: Free agent signed in 2023
The Canucks dipped their toe into the NCAA free agent pool and pulled one of Hirose’s biggest fish. The younger brother of former NCAA star Taro Hirose (Detroit Red Wings), Akito has had a stellar career of his own in Mankato winning a championship in 2021-22.
Minnesota State University is known for its tight screening and stifling defensive style of play, and Hirose has been a key player for them for the past three seasons. His offensive game was strong in the NCAA with 68 points in 104 games during his career as an outfielder on a defensive team.
His offensive game may not be demonstrated at the NHL level, however, he is capable of creating offense via transitioning, passing, a quick first step, and skating ability. Hirose could quickly develop into a valuable two-man defender for the Canucks who lack defensive depth.
9. Cole McWard, RD – Vancouver Canucks (NHL)
Age: 21
Party / Weight: 6-1 / 192
Drafted: Free agent signed in 2023
Another NCAA free agent was recently signed to help bolster their defensive depth. Just 21 years younger than Hirose, the right defenseman played two years at Ohio State and scored nine goals and 21 points in 39 games as a sophomore before he was signed with the Canucks.
McWard burned the first year out of the ELC playing his last five NHL games with the Canucks, averaging over 14 minutes a night with one goal, five hits, and six blocked shots. McWard will likely play a full season in the AHL for his rookie season.
10. Danila Klimovich – Abbotsford Canucks (AHL)
The age is 20
Height / Weight: 6-2 / 205
Drafted: 2021 41st Second Round by the Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks first pick from 2021 has been slowly, but surely, developing. The U18’s solid performance in his draft with six goals in five matches and three more World Championship matches held promise. His D+1 year made it to the Canucks North America and as a junior, scoring eight goals and 18 points. He doubled his goals as a sophomore and played a more physical game as well.
He has the size, skates well, and has a powerful shot. More time in the AHL needed, but still only 20 years old with two full seasons of development in the AHL, there’s a lot to be optimistic about with Klimovich. He needs a breakout season next year.