Canucks Prospect Report
Feb 1st, 2017 -
Forwards:
Conor Garland (QMJHL) 38gp, 20-30-50, -1 -- Garland has been dominating in what will by all accounts be his las year in junior. He is on pace to surpass his previous career highs at this level. Also a little under the radar has been his improved discipline this season, tracking for much fewer penalties than last year. He has shown improvements recently in his game, including in his overall foot speed and his creativity and offensive zone reads. He has played with aggressiveness and uses good stick work when checking opponents.
Kirill Kaprizov (RUS) 32 gp, 22-29-51, +3 -- The talented Russian winger has continued to trend in a positive direction statistically this year and is controlling play in Russia. He has improved his passing and playmaking acument which shows in a more balanced statistical profile. While staying disciplined, he has also added a more physical element and finishes his checks consistently. He looks NHL ready now and the sooner Vancouver can get him over the better.
Ty Ronning (WHL) 37gp, 16-16-32, -4 -- Ronning has been a consistent competitor, proving detractors wrong when he is doubted for his diminutive stature. His stats don't pop off the page but he is respectably productive in the Dub and notably has greatly reduced his penalties this year. Recently he has demonstrated a more accurate shot and shown improvement in his defensive zone positioning as well. He is consistently getting quicker with his first few steps and showing NHL level acceleration already.
Blake Lizotte (NCAA) 25gp, 8-12-20, E -- Lizotte is a small forward who doesn't have eye popping skills but works hard and pays attention to details in his own end. He had a good month and is proving he can be decently competitive even as a younger and smaller forward in the NCAA. He is making smart, quick decisions with the puck in the offensive zone and consistently wins his matchups defensively.
Danton Heinen (AHL) 48gp, 10-21-31, -1 -- Danton was acquired by Vancouver after putting up 20 goals in his first AHL season. He failed to match that last year and his offense seems to have trailed off a little more yet this season but he is continuing to earn icetime by contributing in other ways and competing at both ends of the ice. His foot speed is improving and he has shown growth in his defensive reads while also becoming more adept at screening the goalie and fighting for that valuable ice at the top of the crease. He has demonstrated fearlessness in all aspects of the game and is being noted for his bravery on the ice.
Defense:
Erik Cernak (OHL) 37gp, 1-19-20, -5 -- As defensive a defender as you will find, Cernak will make the NHL based on his physicality and proficiency in his own end. He only has one goal all year but has been working on his shot and it is heavier and he gets it on net more than at the start of the year. He has also gotten even better at clogging lanes and blocking shots this year and is playing with more aggression.
Mikhail Sergachev (QMJHL) 39gp, 9-26-35, -5 -- The Russian born Sergachev has been pushing a point per game pace as a defenseman in junior. His game is growing by leaps and bounds as he continues to play a key role for his team. He has shown a willingness to stick up for his teammates and also an increased commitment to shot blocking. His top end speed looks better than ever and he has been finding open ice and making himself available as an option in the offensive zone. His shot is heavier and should only continue to improve as he grows into his 6'3" frame.
Vince Dunn (OHL) 38gp, 4-25-29, -4 -- Dunn hasn't really taken the step offensively that you would look to see in a twenty year old playing in junior but he has rounded out his game well. He was always more of a playmaker and facilitator than a goal scorer and that trend has contindued. However, his shot blocking and commitment in his own end have developed considerably and he has improved in communicating with and playing in sync with his teammates.
Charlie McAvoy (NCAA) 25gp, 1-13-14, -1 -- The steady American blueliner has regressed statistically compared to his freshman year but make no mistake he is looking more and more NHL ready every game. He is playing a key matchup role against the opponent's best players night in and night out and being trusted in all situations by his coaches. In the past couple of months he has notably improved his balance on his skates and his stick checking and puck control skills. He also plays with courage and never hesitates to go into dangerous areas for the puck.
Goalies:
Casey DeSmith (AHL) 41gp, 1.88gaa, .938sv%, 27w -- The 25 year old keeper may not count as a typical prospect but he has yet to play meaningful NHL games to this point of his career. That may change soon, whether with the Canucks organization or elsewhere, as he has shown his mettle at the minor league level. DeSmith has taken the crease from fellow prospect Anthony Stolarz and run with it, leap frogging him on the organizational depth chart and looking like he could challenge for a backup role with the big club next year. He has improved his communication with teammates and also his recovery skills to get back and compete after giving up a rebound in a scrambly play.
Thatcher Demko (NCAA) 22gp, 2.71gaa, .907sv%, 14w -- While "Demmer's" numbers are down this year, some of that is the nature of college hockey with fluctuating rosters and a different team in front of you every year. He has still shown steady improvement as the Canucks allow him to hone his craft at the collegiate level before bringing him to the pros. Lately his blocker side has been much more consistent at keeping pucks out. Rumour has it he puts in long hours working on his reflexes and that is showing in his quickness with the blocker.