[Vancouver Canucks] GM Patrik Allvin meets with the media following day one of the 2023

6 comments

1. It rarely happens, but if Willander can be a full-time NHLer by 2024-2025, it would relieve our cap problems greatly.

   He has all the tools to be a top defenceman in this league especially if management already penciled a future spot next to Hughes.

2. He’s saying all the right things. On another note, Willander was a great pick. A prospect who is driven and mature. When the dust settles, I hope people will realize this.

3. I really don’t mind this pick. Benson was tempting, but it’s worth considering that this franchise’s recent track record with seemingly surefire offensive forwards who fell in the draft isn’t that great (Schroeder in 2009, Shinkaruk in 2013, Lind in 2017, and Podkolzin to a certain extent in 2019).

4. Willander feels like be could be this generations Alex Edler. Nothing too flashy, but steady and smart. Well-rounded. And apparently he was a winger up until two years ago. Some flashes of Brent Burns in there?

5. I know a lot of people have mentioned guys like Hanifin/Pesce as trade targets, but the Canucks now have that player archetype in the system now.

6. Willander is a good pick, perhaps not the sexiest pick but could be a very steady top 4 guy… not bad.