Over the past few days, the Vancouver Canucks have trimmed their roster down to 28 players (17 forwards, eight defenseman, three goalies.) The upcoming pre-season game against Arizona should determine who makes the final cut, so of the bubble players, here is who I think will stay up (even if just for a limited time period) and who goes back to the minors.
Vancouver Canucks Roster Decisions
Nicklas Jensen – RW (13-14 Club: Utica Comets, Vancouver Canucks)
Jensen gave Canucks fans reason for excitement in his first taste of NHL action late last season, showing off his deadly shot and knack for goal scoring. At the time it appeared as though Jensen was a sure thing to crack the 2014-15 Canucks. Then Jim Benning happened.
Benning went out and acquired goal scoring winger Radim Vrbata via free agency, and at the same time seriously limiting Jensen’s chances of cracking the roster, at least in a top-six capacity. That said, Jensen has had a solid pre-season, impressing with his speed and shot, and has made many a Canuck fan change their projected opening night roster. Should he make the team, it will be interesting to see who he lines up with. Though he may not stay up in the NHL all season, at this point there’s a pretty good chance he’s with the Canucks on opening night.
Prediction: STAYS
Bo Horvat – C (13-14 Club: London Knights)
If you were to ask me pre-training camp if I thought Horvat would make the opening night roster, I would have said “no chance, too much depth”. But between Brad Richardson going down to injury, and the fact that Horvat has looked outstanding thus far, it’s pretty hard to bet against it. Even if it’s just for his nine games, which would be likely, he would be an adequate replacement while Richardson’s out.
His skillset is strong, featuring a defensive game that shows shades of a ceiling similar to that of Patrice Bergeron. Again, he likely won’t be with the big club all season, but it looks like he’ll get a shot at the very least.
Prediction: STAYS
Hunter Shinkaruk – LW (13-14 Club: Medicine Hat Tigers)
If there’s one player who improved his chances of making the NHL this pre-season, it’s Shinkaruk. After looking like a sure bet for at least nine games last year, Shinkaruk, along with fellow first round pick Horvat, was sent down to junior. Now recovered from an injury that held him to a mere 18 games last season, Shinkaruk has returned looking more determined than ever.
He has the talent, and he has the determination, and that alone might be enough for him to make it, but if I had to choose between him and Nick Jensen, I’d go with the latter simply due to the fact that he’s more experienced, and he’s a stronger two-way player. I wouldn’t be shocked if Shinkaruk did end up cracking the opening night lineup, but I wouldn’t bet on it. Besides, a year to hone his game in the AHL would do him some good.
Prediction: GOES
Cal O’Reilly – C (13-14 Club: Utica Comets)
I have no real explanation why O’Reilly is still on the Canucks. Maybe they wanted him to stay in lieu of Dustin Jeffrey so Jeffrey could get acquainted with the Utica coaching staff? Maybe he’s injured? Maybe Willie Desjardins sees enough there to keep him on the roster? There doesn’t seem to be any real reason. I suppose he has an outside shot at being the 13th or 14th forward, but this just seems really odd to have him up still. Realistically he has no chance.
Prediction: GOES
Tom Sestito – LW (13-14 Club: Vancouver Canucks)
Sestito surprised last season, playing a whopping 77 games, mainly due to a series of unfortunate injuries. Despite horrible possession numbers, I think many would consider the 2013-14 season to be a good one for the reigning NHL fighting majors leader. While 77 games will be next to impossible for Sestito to match, he looks like a near lock to make it as the 13th forward, and as far as players in that role go, Sestito’s far from a bad option.
The one thing he may have to worry about is that so many young forwards have been playing so well which may push him down the depth chart, but I doubt that will affect him. Look for him to make the team rather easily.
Prediction: STAYS
Joacim Eriksson – G (13-14 Club: Utica Comets)
Not much to say. Barring injury, no chance Eriksson makes the big league this year. Not only that, but it seems unlikely he’ll even be the starting goaltender down in Utica due to Jacob Markstrom clearing waivers recently. The situation isn’t exactly ideal for the promising Swede.
Prediction: GOES
Linden Vey – C/RW (13-14 Club: Manchester Monarchs, Los Angeles Kings)
Essentially the return for heavy-shooting defender Jason Garrison, Vey has lived up to the high expectations which were placed on his shoulders, showing not only exceptional offensive skill, but also reliable two-way ability so far this pre-season. Another aspect where Vey helps is on the powerplay, where he has proven to be a solid contributor. Canucks fans should be very excited about this guy. No doubt in my mind that he’s on the team.
Prediction: STAYS
Frank Corrado – D (13-14 Club: Utica Comets, Vancouver Canucks)
I kind of feel bad for Corrado. Before the draft, it seemed as though Corrado was a virtual lock to make the team. He’s certainly paid his dues, showing effective play at both the AHL, and the NHL level. But with the acquisition of Luca Sbisa, Corrado got pushed down the depth chart, possibly back down to the minors. Of course, there is still the chance that he beats out Ryan Stanton for a spot on the bottom pairing (after all, Corrado would give the Canucks the perfect balances of left and right handed shots), but at this point it looks highly unlikely. Maybe next season Frankie.
Prediction: GOES
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