Vancouver Canucks Draft Preview: Who Will They Pick? (THW)

[krolf]

by THW's Andy Eide:

Link for full article:
http://thehockeywriters.com/vancouver-c ... they-pick/

Excerpt:

"Welcome to part two of our Vancouver Canucks 2012 NHL Draft preview. For a look at who the Canucks currently have in their system check out Daniel Schöpf’s look at their prospects. For all of your NHL Draft needs, prospect profiles and team previews be sure to check our NHL Entry Draft Guide.

Now that the on-ice NHL action is over teams are gearing up to select the next crop of players that hopefully will lead them to a Stanley Cup. The best way to build a championship team is through the NHL Entry Draft which takes place, in Pittsburgh, on June 22nd. The Vancouver Canucks have the 26thpick and while they most likely won’t be selecting a guy who can step right on the ice, they do have an opportunity to pick up a player that can contribute in the near future."

***

For those interested:

THW’s 2012 NHL Entry Draft Guide (Free!) – The Next Ones is your quintessential draft resource featuring:

Detailed unique prospect profiles in The Next Ones format
Mock Drafts
Exclusive rankings
Fantasy based rankings
Team Previews
Looking ahead to the 2013 draft and beyond

Link: http://thehockeywriters.com/2012-nhl-en ... next-ones/

The latest mock:
http://thehockeywriters.com/2012-nhl-mo ... wo-rounds/

...had the Canucks selecting:

Matt Finnin the 1st rnd
(his in depth profile: http://thehockeywriters.com/matt-finn-t ... -by-storm/)

&

Esa Lindellin the 2nd

According to THW's Top 120 rankings:
http://thehockeywriters.com/2012-nhl-dr ... s-top-120/

'Nucks might select as alternatives:

Tomas Hertl: http://thehockeywriters.com/tomas-hertl ... t-profile/

or perhaps a dman in Hampus Lindholm if he drops far enough:

http://thehockeywriters.com/hampus-lind ... t-profile/

Second round targets may also include:

Troy Bourke:
http://thehockeywriters.com/troy-bourke ... t-profile/

Adam Pelech:
http://thehockeywriters.com/adam-pelech ... tradition/

If he falls, Ville Pokka:
http://thehockeywriters.com/ville-pokka ... t-profile/

Thoughts, comments, constructive criticism always welcomed.

[Lancer]

I would be quite intrigued in a good way if Sissons is still around and picked by Gillis an Co. Just from what I've read, the worst he'd be is a 3rd line centre who can chip in 15-20 goals in time. Don't think Tom Wilson will make it to 26th pick.

I think Samuelsson will likely be available at that pick though, and seems to be just the kind of asshole banger with a good touch that would fit in nicely between the 2nd and 3rd lines. I don't see anyone at that range in the draft turning into a 1st liner or top-pairing defender unless Gillis gets lucky, so getting someone who can slot between the 2nd and third lines and play a physical, agitating game can't be a bad thing.

Imagine a 2nd line one day of Schrimp Schroeder between Jensen and Samuelsson.