Scout’s Analysis: What the Canucks are getting in prospect Tom Willander
As the Canucks’ disappointing season came to an end, there was a glimpse of positivity on the horizon. The signing of prospect Tom Willander put some of Vancouver’s angst to rest, and with that, we turn to our scout Jason Bukala for more.
As the Vancouver Canucks‘ disappointing and dramatic regular season was winding down, there was one glimpse of positivity on the horizon.
Prospect defenceman Tom Willander, the 11th overall pick of the 2023 draft, was anticipated to sign his entry-level contract with the Canucks. His Boston University team had reached the Frozen Four final, and after they lost 6-2 against Western Michigan, his season came to an end on April 12. At that time, the Canucks still had two regular-season games remaining, both at home.
But instead of quickly signing Willander and inserting him into the lineup (as fellow 2023 draft prospect Ryan Leonard did with Washington), the negotiation was dragged out over a disagreement about bonuses on his entry-level contract.
“We have a structure for draft picks,” Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford explained at the time. “This isn’t just about Tom Willander, it’s about what goes forward.”
So the 20-year-old was left unsigned, with an option to return to college for the 2025-26 season if need be. There was some angst in the Canucks community the longer this went on, but on Wednesday came great relief when the two sides finally agreed on his ELC.
Projected to be a top-four NHL defenceman in time, Willander is expected to be an important piece of the Canucks’ blue line in the long run. Whether he begins next season in the NHL or plays a development season in the AHL remains to be seen, and all eyes will be on his performance at training camp come fall.
But he’s taken great strides over two seasons at BU. Speaking to Donnie and Dhali in early April, Boston University play-by-play voice Bernie Corbett was glowing in his review of Willander, who stepped up in his sophomore season after the team lost some veterans.
“I think he’s going to be a core guy for your club,” Corbett started. “I think he’ll be a top four guy, no question. He’s got the all-around game. He’s certainly not one-dimensional.
“He’s a guy who might run a power play. He’s a guy that defends well, plays well.
“He doesn’t get turned. If a guy goes wide, he’s very good at extending and keeping up and making up ground and ending plays. He’s real good at that. And a good shot blocker too.”
For more on what the 20-year-old Swedish defender will bring to the Canucks, we turn to our scout Jason Bukala.
SCOUT’S ANALYSIS
Tom Willander: 6-foot-1, 190 pounds
Right-shot defenceman
NHL Projection: Top-four transitional defenceman, deployed in all situations
Vancouver getting Willander signed is exciting news for the organization and the prospect. He has a chance to mature into a top four defenceman at the NHL level. He’s an outstanding skater who already moves at NHL pace and uses his quickness to his advantage in all three zones.
Here’s an example of Willander transitioning the play from his defensive zone. He explodes up ice and opens up a passing lane for his teammate as a result of a middle lane drive to his opponent’s crease.
Willander averaged over 23 minutes of ice time per game at Boston University this past season. He was deployed in all situations and trusted with hard matchups versus top six forward groups. He isn’t known for his physicality, but he doesn’t shy away from traffic and contact. He’s willing to battle in the trenches, but it’s his active stick and small-area agility that stand out in the defensive zone and create turnovers.
Here’s an example of the small-area quickness and agility I’m describing.
Watch closely in the following clip as Willander closes quickly on the zone entry. He deflects the puck over the net as a result, and it ends up in the far corner of his zone. By the time he resets, he reads what is developing and engages with an active stick and quick feet. His group ends up getting a full-ice clear on the penalty-kill as a result of his impact in the sequence.
Willander’s style of game reminds me of Montreal Canadiens defenceman Mike Matheson at the same stage of development. He has the ability to influence the game in all three zones thanks to his elite skating ability. He has the pace to arrive quicker than most opponents and can be especially dangerous in open ice.
The following clip results in Willander scoring a goal while skating at 4-on-4. I don’t project him to score a lot of goals at the NHL level, but this sequence displays how hard he is to contain overall:
The Canucks had to wait a little longer than their fans would have liked, but got one of their top prospects under contract. It’s a big day for the organization and fans should be excited to see what he’ll bring at training camp next fall.
