Meet a new Canuck is a feature I’ll be running throughout the off-season as an introduction to the newest members of the Vancouver Canucks.
BIOGRAPHY
Linden Vey was selected 96th overall in the 2009 entry draft by the Los Angeles Kings. He was acquired at the draft for a 2nd round draft pick (50th overall) which the Canucks received in the earlier Jason Garrison trade. He was the WHL’s top scorer in 2011 with 116 points (46 goals, 70 assists). He played in 18 games with the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings last season, recording 5 assists. Vey recorded his first and fifth NHL points against the Canucks in a 5-1 Kings win and 3-2 Kings OT win respectively. Vey recently re-signed with the Canucks for $735,000 next season.
ROLE
Vey will almost certainly be relied on in a 3rd line capacity, centering some combination of Chris Higgins, Jannik Hansen, Bo Horvat and Shawn Matthias. Vey brings some speed to the table, something in which President of Hockey Ops. Trevor Linden, General Manager Jim Benning and Head Coach Willie Desjardins have all expressed the interest of having in the Canucks style of play. Vey fits the run and gun style to a tee.
Vey will likely be relied upon to play on the penalty kill as well, and may also receive limited powerplay time. Vey should also be a big part of the Canucks re-tool/build, though it may have to be on the wing. The Canucks have crazy center depth with the recently-drafted Jared McCann and the aforementioned Horvat, along with Brendan Gaunce, Kellan Lain and Cole Cassels all having the ability to play up the middle.
Vey played under Desjardins in Medicine Hat, so he obviously had some say in this acquisition. It could be a big advantage for the Canucks, having Vey already understanding Willie’s system. One other thing that may have slipped under many’s radar, is the fact that Vey has already been developed in the King’s system, providing the Canucks with a prospect who is already NHL-ready. The Kings have won two Stanley Cups in the last three years. They have developed current superstars like Drew Doughty and Anze Kopitar as well as rising stars like Slava Voynov and Tyler Toffoli. The fact that they pre-developed Vey for Vancouver can be nothing but a good thing.
I’m excited to see what the future holds for Vey with the Canucks, as he’s an intriguing player with a promising future. Well done Benning, well done.
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