I hate click-bait titles but I do like to see the various Vancouver prospects beginning to show promise in eventually making and contributing to the big club. I still really firmly believe the Canucks have to leave one actual spot in the active playing roster open for various young Canucks showing significant promise and earning a shot to the Show as this is how many young future stars are found in any organization. I would simply continuously rotate them into the lineup (up and down from the AHL team on a more frequent basis) to reward their promising play in Abbotsford. I am a BIG fan of Malhotra's cerebral and gritty game when he played and I hope to see him work his magic as head coach in Abbotsford in building the personal confidence of, and subsequently bringing more of the NHL-level playing promise out of, some of our young prospects.
I remember when Raty was drafted. He was initially about a year out considered the top guy in his draft and then he had a bad year, his skating became an issue and he fell like a rock. At 21, we can both see some of the potential that had scouts rating him high at first, but also still the deficiencies in his game that caused him to drop. For me, if you're a centre with decent size who isn't a defensive liability and can skate and win face-offs, you could have a job in the NHL. So if he can win draws at 48 or better (and Malhotra is the guy to work with on that) and improve his skating and defensive game, I think he's at least a 4th line centre at the NHL level.
I heard management is considering trading him and wallinder for a top 4 defenseman between 24-25 plus 1st and 2nd for a top six forward. History dictates neither will play for canucks
Hoping that Raty & Lekkerimaki have great seasons in Abbotsford and push to make the club in 2025-2026 season. Would be huge having 2 ELC contracts while the OEL penalty jumps up
