Hossa
Registered User
After another disappointing playoff exit, the Canucks entered the draft with a whack of early picks, including four second rounders, not including a fifth dealt to Vegas for expansion draft protection purposes. Below is a quick rundown of how the organization fared.
1st Round, 23rd overall: Robert Thomas, C - London Knights (OHL)
Playmaking centre with very good hands, balanced bow-legged stride, and a strong two-way reputation. Likely to put up much better numbers next year in London, although overall offensive upside still a matter of speculation. Was the last player in our grouping at this spot, and would have had to trade down if he was gone.
2nd Round, 37th overall: Josh Norris, C - US NTDP
A surprise to be on the board at 37, Norris continues a long trend of the HFNHL Canucks going to the NTDP early in the draft (see Faulk, Miller, Palmieri and others). Norris is similar to Thomas, a well rounded player who profiles as a middle six centre. Questions about consistency and upside hurt his stock earlier in the year, but a strong U18 bumped his stock up, and a dominant combine cemented his status as, we believe, a first round pick.
2nd Round, 41st overall: Conor Timmins, D - Sault St. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
Timmins was not a target at this spot because it was absolutely assumed he would be gone. About the only red flag with Timmins is that he's a late birthday who, had he been born a week earlier, would have probably been a late round pick in 2016. But a massive step forward in development cannot really be viewed as a bad thing, and Timmins brings a solid mix of tools which play up due to work ethic and coachability. Led all CHL d-men in 5-on-5 scoring, and has more than enough skill to be a solid #4/5 right shot d-man.
2nd Round, 45th overall: Henri Jokiharju, D - Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
The Canucks don't often go out west, or to Finland, so Jokiharju is an exceptional selection but also an easy one at 45. Another possible first round pick in the NHL, Jokiharju brings more flash and pure skill than Timmins, but in a smaller and less refined package. Adjusted and improved very well over the season in Portland, and has an outside shot at being a very good offensive blueliner in the NHL.
2nd Round, 54th overall: Alex Formenton, W - London Knights (OHL)
The first selection of the day for the club that was not a slam dunk, as two goalies and Morgan Frost went right before. Nonetheless Formenton brings a different dimension than Thomas or Norris, as a black box of tools that may or may not amount to something. Elite skating ability is his calling card for now, and he will have to retain that as he bulks up. A wild card.
3rd Round, 86th overall: Reilly Walsh, D - Chicago Steel (USHL)
Split the season between the USHL and the high school circuit, dominating the later. Similar profile to Jokiharju, maybe even with better skating, but far less experience against quality competition. Plenty of offensive tools, and will head to Harvard to play alongside fellow Canucks prospect John Marino.
4th Round, 116th overall: Jack Badini, C/LW - Chicago Steel (USHL)
Just like Walsh, played with the Chicago Steel of the USHL and off to Harvard next year. Badini is a year older though and played all year in the USHL, standing out especially in the playoffs. Late bloomer who can really score goals, and will take his time developing with the Crimson.
5th Round, 147th overall: Tobias Geisser, D - Zug (NLA)
Converted forward who has plenty of tools but is still figuring out the blueline. Like his raw upside and keen to have a player to follow in Switzerland as well.
1st Round, 23rd overall: Robert Thomas, C - London Knights (OHL)
Playmaking centre with very good hands, balanced bow-legged stride, and a strong two-way reputation. Likely to put up much better numbers next year in London, although overall offensive upside still a matter of speculation. Was the last player in our grouping at this spot, and would have had to trade down if he was gone.
2nd Round, 37th overall: Josh Norris, C - US NTDP
A surprise to be on the board at 37, Norris continues a long trend of the HFNHL Canucks going to the NTDP early in the draft (see Faulk, Miller, Palmieri and others). Norris is similar to Thomas, a well rounded player who profiles as a middle six centre. Questions about consistency and upside hurt his stock earlier in the year, but a strong U18 bumped his stock up, and a dominant combine cemented his status as, we believe, a first round pick.
2nd Round, 41st overall: Conor Timmins, D - Sault St. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
Timmins was not a target at this spot because it was absolutely assumed he would be gone. About the only red flag with Timmins is that he's a late birthday who, had he been born a week earlier, would have probably been a late round pick in 2016. But a massive step forward in development cannot really be viewed as a bad thing, and Timmins brings a solid mix of tools which play up due to work ethic and coachability. Led all CHL d-men in 5-on-5 scoring, and has more than enough skill to be a solid #4/5 right shot d-man.
2nd Round, 45th overall: Henri Jokiharju, D - Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
The Canucks don't often go out west, or to Finland, so Jokiharju is an exceptional selection but also an easy one at 45. Another possible first round pick in the NHL, Jokiharju brings more flash and pure skill than Timmins, but in a smaller and less refined package. Adjusted and improved very well over the season in Portland, and has an outside shot at being a very good offensive blueliner in the NHL.
2nd Round, 54th overall: Alex Formenton, W - London Knights (OHL)
The first selection of the day for the club that was not a slam dunk, as two goalies and Morgan Frost went right before. Nonetheless Formenton brings a different dimension than Thomas or Norris, as a black box of tools that may or may not amount to something. Elite skating ability is his calling card for now, and he will have to retain that as he bulks up. A wild card.
3rd Round, 86th overall: Reilly Walsh, D - Chicago Steel (USHL)
Split the season between the USHL and the high school circuit, dominating the later. Similar profile to Jokiharju, maybe even with better skating, but far less experience against quality competition. Plenty of offensive tools, and will head to Harvard to play alongside fellow Canucks prospect John Marino.
4th Round, 116th overall: Jack Badini, C/LW - Chicago Steel (USHL)
Just like Walsh, played with the Chicago Steel of the USHL and off to Harvard next year. Badini is a year older though and played all year in the USHL, standing out especially in the playoffs. Late bloomer who can really score goals, and will take his time developing with the Crimson.
5th Round, 147th overall: Tobias Geisser, D - Zug (NLA)
Converted forward who has plenty of tools but is still figuring out the blueline. Like his raw upside and keen to have a player to follow in Switzerland as well.
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