[Drance] Even as Vancouver publicly downplays its conviction about Cootes, internally, the conversation around him is beginning to shift materially… he’s in the driver’s seat going into the final week of preseason to break camp with the NHL team.
[Drance] Even as Vancouver publicly downplays its conviction about Cootes, internally, the conversation around him is beginning to shift materially… he’s in the driver’s seat going into the final week of preseason to break camp with the NHL team.
33 comments
> “The internal discussion, in fact, has shifted somewhat from whether or not Cootes might get a look in Vancouver to open the year, which now seems increasingly likely, and has begun to hone in on whether or not he would benefit from going back to junior, or if he might be capable of sustaining the level required to contribute in the NHL all season.”
I pray this organization has an ounce of patience for once! 9 games, fine. Full season, please no.
Why not 9 games? What’s the harm?
I understand everyone wants a new toy and the media need talking points but playing in the nhl is more than just excelling in preseason. He will be a nhl player but seriously, don’t rush it if you want it to work. 1 more year of jr and he will be on the team next year.
I think the likelihood is between 9-30 games with Vancouver.
Young players can hit a wall later in the season, but having him be a middle six centre as long as he’s playing like one is probably the goal.
Drance and the word Materially
Name a more iconic duo.
I hope they do give him some games, he’s earned it
It should be 9 games or 0 game. Let him cook for one more year in junior and revisit again at this time next year base on his development. A small part of me thinks Francesco wants another young first round pick in the line up for ticket sales but I would always prioritize long term player development. After seeing what happened with McCann in 2015 (and McCann came in a year after he got drafted), I want what’s most beneficial for the player and team long term. If it means wait another year or two, we should just be patient.
I hope to see him in the 9 game stint, but who do you waive? Bains? Karlsson? Aman? I doubt all three will sneak through the waiver wire
Hot take.
Playing a lot of games and dominating isn’t the be all and end all when it comes to development. Look at the players that come through the US National Team Development Program and college hockey. They don’t play a lot of games.
What does he need for his development right now? Probably time in the gym to fill out his frame and build his strength. It’s much easier to do that in the NHL with access to the right food than riding buses in the WHL.
I’m in favour of the Canucks taking an unconventional approach, so as long as Cootes earn his way to the opening day lineup, then beyond the nine games, and he isn’t being overwhelmed in games.
Have him on the NHL team until the World Juniors, he plays for Canada, then comes back and joins a contending WHL team or Kelowna Rockets (hosting the Memorial Cup). This is the best path for his development right now if he continues to show in the preseason he can hang with NHL players.
His WHL rights belong to the Thunderbirds, but he can and will get traded if he is returned to junior after the World Juniors. The Thunderbirds are not a contender right now after their 2023 WHL Championship.
The contention window is so short in the junior hockey because players are 16-20. Teams have to move on from their star players aggressively before they age out of junior hockey and get nothing in return, while contending teams have to aggressively load up or miss their chance to win.
Starting next year, one 19 year old player allowed to play in the AHL starting next year. If the Canucks notify the Thunderbirds of their intent to play Cootes in the AHL next season, they WILL move him to recoup assets otherwise Cootes just ages out and they have nothing to show for him.
Under this, the Canucks lose a year of his ELC, but he won’t play 40 games, which is what he needs to accrue a season towards free agency.
Is getting one extra year of his ELC more important or better developing the player more important? If you have to pay him, it’s GOOD news. It means the player hit and you developed him into a good NHL player.
With the rule changing next year where one 19 year old is allowed to play in the NHL. I think this is way NHL teams will go in the future.
I think he’s making the opening night roster. He has earned it. Give the guy a taste of the NHL regular season, then send him down.
The only way he stays up is if he dazzles and fits right in, but I definitely wouldn’t rush him into the NHL.
i think the best take i heard on the cootes situation is that hypothetically he probably can play at NHL caliber but he has to use way more energy to achieve the same results. i remember seeing him and boeser in the corner and while cootes was holding him off you could tell the amount of energy he has to use to get that result vs boeser looking like it’s natural. (boeser is just an example lol)
Let’s freakin’ GOOOOOO!!!
What a huge win this would be for the Canucks if Cootes can be an NHL level player on an entry level.
This allows for someone to be traded and some salary cap relief.
There’s another cut-off that isn’t talked about much but if he’s on the roster for less than 40 team games (game 40 is on Jan 2) and then gets sent back, it doesn’t count as a season toward his UFA eligibility
It’s Benning-esque to toss a young prospect into the fire against seasoned pros.
Hey, I’ll watch and I’ll root for the kid. But if things go wrong psychologically for the player, we’ve all seen how that can turn out. On the other hand hockey miracles sometimes happen too lol.
Kakko, Perfetti, there are plenty that delude themselves into thinking it wouldn’t harm the player’s development.
But… It might work for us…
I doubt they’ll give a damn about the burned ELC year if this kid looks like an NHLer at 18 freaking years old. Let’s see how those 9 games go.
Personally I do want him on the team if he is ready. But for the sake of his development, I don’t mind waiting for another year before he plays a full NHL season. I like his tenacity and physicality.
With every day there seems to be another article saying how Cootes is essentially playing his way onto the team and making Management consider him an option for the opening lineup. Nothing about how they are approaching this says they are rushing him in just because and arn’t taking every precaution for whats best for his development. They desperately needed scoring last year and didn’t force Lekk onto the team permanently just because of his shot. If he gets 9 games its because he’s earned it and if he sticks longer theres been careful consideration behind that decision from hockey experts. Amazing pick if he somehow sticks or even if he just gets 9 games. Kids been playing great.
I don’t understand why it seems like the only option is WHL or NHL. I know about burning the contract wlafter 9 games, but like, why would it be a bad thing if he went between NHL and AHL? If he’s doing this well, what’s he really gonna learn in the WHL now?
He’s earned his 9 games… mama let him play!
He’s definitely got the speed of the NHL and his skill is better than advertised. I think his 9 games is likely now that Hogs is out for a while
With hoglander out, the 9 game stint doesnt seem so bad now.
I have been beyond impressed.
The red carpet was rolled out for the Abby guys, he has been more visible than his competition.
Regardless of where he ends up, great September.
Good for Cootes if he continues his trajectory.
It’s about time someone actually comes through and delivers the goods … God knows there’s always hype when someone comes up and fizzles out, or plays okay and then goes AWOL. Bains, Hirose, Hoglander, et al come to mind.
He’s played well, but he’s not in NHL shape yet. 82 NHL games is a long season. Give him the 9 games, but id worry it would affect his development if he’s kept beyond that. He’s got a couple years of growing his game and body. I’m excited he’s in the system, but we always over value our prospects. He shouldnt take a spot from Karlsson or Raty
I’m just hoping that Cootes has Hughes excited and looking at this team for longer term now
The thing Cootes has on a lot of the other prospects is that he can play up and down the lineup.
Get your Cootes jerseys now
However well he plays in his 9 games, keeping him beyond would likely be a mistake.
There’s no way he’s ready for 15+ minutes a night * 82 games.
Get him back to Junior where he’ll be a 1C and play 20+ a night and dominate.
Cootes is easily becoming one of my faves to look forward to!!
There are two components to this.
1. What is best for the team.
2. What is best for Cootes.
Ideally those two align.
Mistakes can be made and that is a major concern for everyone. I bet the Canucks are having long conversations about Cootes. I bet there are some arguments.
Push him too early too hard and it could interfere with his development… or worse. On the other hand, leaving him in the WHL could also hinder his development. He doesn’t get the opportunity to go against a McDavid or a Draisaitl or to play with guys on his own level.
If he is truly NHL ready, it could hurt the team to send him back. In the long run, it could hurt everyone to keep him up. If they keep him, everyone will be holding their breath.
Myself? I don’t know. I see a talented kid outplaying ALL of the Bubble Boiz.
I find this vastly entertaining and the season hasn’t even started.
LFG!