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The Vancouver Canucks are ranked 23^rd in Hockey’s Future’s most recent Organizational Rankings and did not have a single prospect included in HF’s Top 50 Prospects. The team does have a number of highly skilled prospects in the system, but many of them are under-sized or lack consistency. The team also turned one of its most glaring weaknesses, a lack of strong goaltender prospects beyond Alex Auld, into strength after the 2004 draft with the selections of Cory Schneider and Julien Ellis. The team also has a number of checking line players in the system, headlined by the team’s top prospect, Ryan Kesler.

 

Top 20 at a Glance

 

1. Ryan Kesler

2. Jason King

3. Alex Auld

4. Kirill Koltsov

5. Cory Schneider

6. Ilya Krikunov

7. Brett Skinner

8. Evgeni Gladskikh

9. MA Bernier

10. Tomas Mojzis

11. Kevin Bieksa

12. Julien Ellis

13. Fedor Fedorov

14. Alexander Edler

15. Brandon Reid

16. Mike Brown

17. FP Guenette

18. Brandon Nolan

19. Denis Grot

20. John Laliberte

 

Player Name, Position, (Previous Rank)

 

1. Ryan Kesler, C, (2)

 

Kesler has done nothing but impress the Canucks organization playing with the Manitoba Moose in the AHL this year. Most believe Kesler had a spot in the Canucks line-up going into training camp, and he was expected to play on the team’s third or fourth line to further develop his defensive prowess. He received a lot of criticism last season for failing to put up significant points at any level. Playing professional hockey in what should have been his sophomore season, Kesler had 11 points in 33 games in the AHL and had just five points in 28 games playing in the NHL. His strong all around play has silenced most of those critics as he is averaging just below a point per game with the Moose this year, scoring 18 goals, 18 assists in 39 games. Kesler also has an impressive +17 rating.

 

When he was drafted, many felt the Canucks had reached too far to take Kesler, a teammate and linemate of a prior first round pick, RJ Umberger (PHI). Umberger ultimately clashed with then GM Brian Burke and was eventually traded, leaving just Kesler with the team. Kesler has played as advertised however. Not expected to be a huge scorer despite being a first round pick, Kesler is showing signs of developing into an elite checking forward. Kesler is a speedy forward with tenacious forechecking abilities, and is expected to be a leader for the Canucks in the future. There is some assumption he will take the role of Trevor Linden when Linden eventually retires.

 

2. Jason King, RW, (NR - Change in HF eligibility criteria)

 

The young Newfoundler has played himself into the second spot on the Canucks prospect chart as a result of his ability to put up big numbers in the AHL as well as a fast start last year in the NHL. King currently leads the Manitoba Moose in goals (21) and is tied for the team lead in points (41). King has continued to struggle with consistency with the Moose, an issue that has followed him throughout his professional career, but when he has played well, he has been the best offensive player on the team. He has struggled offensively moreso of late but has continued to play a solid all-around game.

 

King rose to prominence in the Canucks organization when he made the team out of training camp in 2003 and starting playing on the second line with the Sedin twins. He was one of the team’s top scorers after 20 games but then faltered and almost ceased entirely to produce. He was sent down to the Moose and other than sporadic call-ups throughout the second half of the season, did little else with the Canucks. He continues to work on his all around game as most feel he brings little to the team when he does not have the puck. King does, however, have the ability to score a lot of goals in a short span. If King ever resolves his consistency problems he will become an excellent fit for the Sedins on the Canucks second line. If not, he will frustrate Canuck fans for years to come with his sporadic play.

 

3. Alex Auld, G, (1)

 

Auld falls from the top spot on the Canucks Top 20 as a result of losing ice time with the Moose to veteran Wade Flaherty. Auld missed some time while playing in the Spengler Cup, and when he has played, he has been very strong. Auld has a 15-4-1 record, a GAA of 2.16 and a .924 save percentage. If Flaherty were not playing fairly well in his starts, Auld would certainly be seeing more ice time.

 

Auld is a tall goalie who uses his size to his advantage. Not blessed with tremendous reflexes, Auld plays the angles well and tries to deflect shots into the corners. The Canucks organization was so impressed with his play last season that he was chosen over season-long back-up Johan Hedberg to start in the playoffs against Calgary when Dan Cloutier went down to a knee injury. Auld has the capability to be a starting goaltender in the NHL, and when the lockout ends it appears that he is destined to push Cloutier for starts. If Auld continues to play this well, the organization may quickly find itself with two goalies sharing the starting load at the NHL level.

 

4. Kirill Koltsov, D, (3)

 

Koltsov has made headlines for all the wrong reasons over the past several weeks as he has left the Manitoba Moose in order to return back to Russia to play for Avangard Omsk. Koltsov was playing well before suddenly departing from the Moose, tallying 17 points in 28 games, and registering 42 minutes in penalties. His defensive play was improving and he appeared to be getting more comfortable playing on the smaller North American ice surface. The decision to return to Russia has once again sparked questions about Koltsov’s attitude and character, concerns which made him fall to the second round in his draft. GM Dave Nonis has said he believes Koltsov received poor advice from his agent.

 

Koltsov is a smooth skating defenseman with good puck skills and has confidence handling the puck. A bit under-sized for an NHL defenseman, Koltsov’s positioning is acceptable, although he still gets caught out of position sometimes when pinching in at the offensive blue-line. He must get stronger to cope with NHL forwards, and needs to adjust further to the North American ice surface. There appears to be little benefit in returning to Russia. So far in three games with Omsk he has not registered a point, but has 10 penalty minutes. Koltsov has top four defenseman potential.

 

5. Cory Schneider, G, (5)

 

Schneider remains in the fifth slot on the Canucks prospect chart as a result of King’s return to the list. In his first season in college, Schneider has done everything that can be expected of him. Playing with the high profile Boston College hockey team, Schneider’s early play forced the coaching staff at BC to give him a role splitting the starting duties in net, very uncommon for a freshman. He has a 7-4 record, complemented with a 1.77 GAA and an impressive save percentage of .927. Schneider was also selected to be a part of Team USA’s World Junior Championship team, where he served as a back-up to Al Montoya (NYR). Schneider struggled in his only start, against Belarus. He was pulled from the game and the US eventually lost to the underdog Belarussians.

 

At 6’2, 195 lbs, Schneider is a decent sized goalie who looks much bigger than he is in the crease because of his good positioning. He is hailed at a goalie who is very cool in net and does not get flustered by a bad goal, although that has come into question with his short appearance at the WJC. Before this year Schneider’s accomplishments were questioned by critics who felt he faced low quality shooters in the high school ranks. These concerns have mostly been silenced by his strong start to his collegiate career. Schneider will likely spend at least two more years at BC. He will compete with Auld for the starting job in four to five years.

 

6. Ilya Krikunov, C, (4)

 

Krikunov falls two slots from fourth. While his numbers are still strong, they have not improved despite playing with several current and former NHL players. The small center has developed far better than his seventh round, 242^nd overall selection would indicate. He has shown his ability to play well on the bigger ice surface but has to prove he can perform to the same level on the smaller ice and with the more physical level of play. After 40 games, Krikunov has 16 points.

 

He is a strong skater with decent scoring abilities. Krikunov’s niche is in his outstanding playmaking abilities and offensive vision, which make him a threat every time he touches the puck in the offensive zone. His lack of size, strength, and defensive awareness make him a liability in the defensive zone and are all hurdles he must overcome to be useful in the NHL. Turning 21 in February, Krikunov still has several years to develop before him coming to North America becomes an urgent situation. His skill set is equivalent to a second line center, if he ever puts on a Canucks uniform, considering all the current issues with transferring players from the Russian Super League.

 

7. Brett Skinner, D, (7)

 

Skinner remains in seventh on the Canucks list, but that does not mean he has not had a good season and is not progressing. The Canucks third choice (68^th overall) in 2002 is emerging as a force on the blueline for the Denver University Pioneers, scoring 21 points in 21 games thus far. The 21-year-old stands 6’1 and currently weighs around 200 lbs. His offensive game has thrived this season although reports indicate that he occasionally tries to make unnecessarily pretty passes that often result in the play going the other way. Regardless, Skinner has had a strong season thus far with Denver.

 

Skinner is a primarily offensive defenseman who should easily be able to add a few more pounds of muscle to make him strong enough to battle with professional forwards in his own zone. Skinner makes a great first pass out of his own zone and handles the puck with confidence in the offensive zone. He does not have a great shot, but that has not hindered his performance quarterbacking the Pioneers’ power play. Skinner appears to be on a path to serve as a second-pairing defenseman and possibly an NHL quarterback on the power play.

 

8. Evgeni Gladskikh, LW, (6)

 

The Russian sniper, selected 114^th overall in 2001, falls two spots as he has struggled at times in the RSL. Playing once again with Magnitogorsk Metallurg, the team has had just one NHL forward for the overwhelming majority of the season, so Gladskikh’s ice time should not be too greatly impacted by the lockout. The team does possess some other great prospects, however, including Evgeni Malkin (PIT) and Alexei Kaigorodov (OTT). Gladskikh has 14 points thus far in the RSL season, but has missed the past few games with Metallurg, reportedly injured.

 

Gladskikh is a pure goal scorer with soft hands and a bullet of a wrist shot. He’s a hard worker and continuously strives to improve himself in practice. He has good awareness that cannot be taught, and has a knack for finding himself in the open ice with a rebound on his stick. Although he is under-sized by North American standards the wizard stick-handler rarely gets shoved around by larger opponents. Gladskikh is precisely the type of exciting goal scorer that the Canucks will need when Markus Naslund seemingly inevitably returns to Sweden. Although not near the superstar Swedes skill level, Gladskikh may be who the Canucks replace Naslund.

 

9. Marc-Andre Bernier, RW, (8)

 

Down one spot, mostly due to the re-appearance of King on the list, Bernier has had an average season thus far with the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL. A second round, 60^th overall, pick, Bernier has a lot of expectations on him. Bernier, like much of his QMJHL team, started the season slowly but has picked it up as of late, moving up the standings, and closing in on their division leader, the Moncton Wildcats. Bernier has just 16 goals and 11 assists for 27 points in 38 games, but has played remarkably better over the past ten games. If he continues at his recent pace, he should finish with similar totals to his 27 goals and 50 points from the previous season.

 

Bernier is a big body with a howitzer of a slap-shot. He is good at finding enough space in the offensive zone to unleash his powerful slapper, and fights well for position in front of the net. Bernier has good speed for his size (6’3, 218 lbs), but many often consider him a slow skater. In reality Bernier has a slow first step but good acceleration that enables him to keep up with the pace of play. Bernier’s top end potential figures in between a second or third line player. It is difficult to say where he will play next season. He has not been outstanding in the Q this year, and that probably does not warrant an AHL contract. However, it will likely depend on the overage player situation in Halifax.

 

10. Tomas Mojzis, D, (9)

 

The Czech defender struggled quite a bit in his first AHL season last year, but appears to have rebounded well and learned from the experience. Mojzis already has 14 points this year, just three shy of his total from last year and is clearly more comfortable on the professional game. With his confidence returned, Mojzis is an improved player.

 

Acquired in a trade for Brad Leeb, this is certainly one of Brian Burke’s successful trades. A bit hesitant to join the rush at times, Mojzis does not always showcase his impressive skills. In order to make the NHL, Mojzis is going to have to convince the Canucks organization that he is strong enough offensively as his defensive game is not going to get him there alone. His biggest struggle is going to be consistency. At his best, Mojzis is top-four material, but if he can’t get things together, he will float between a depth defender and a farm hand.

 

11. Kevin Bieksa, D, (16)

 

Bieksa is one of the biggest risers in this edition of the Canucks Top 20. In his rookie year with the Moose in the AHL, Bieksa was expected to play third pairing minutes and serve a purely defensive capacity, although he had managed solid numbers in college with Bowling Green. Bieksa has adjusted to the AHL extremely quickly, and has 20 points in 40 games thus far, as well as 94 PIM. He has moved the puck well and kept the vision of the team’s goaltenders clear.

 

He plays much bigger than he actually is. Although an effective physical force in his own zone, Bieksa is 6’1, 195 lbs, but is stronger than his weight would indicate. He has good puck poise, and often generates his offensive stats simply from making the safe play and moving the puck forward. Skating is Bieksa’s biggest weakness. He has neither NHL acceleration nor average turning abilities. However, he has slowly improved them with the Moose and has been able to play very well at the AHL level with these deficiencies. Bieksa moves up five spots based on his immediate adaptation to the professional game. His upside remains likely as a third pairing defenseman, but his likelihood of reaching it has increased.

 

12. Julien Ellis, G, (18)

 

Ellis is the biggest riser, moving six spots from 18 to 12. Ellis was the “other” goalie the Canucks took in the 2004 draft but his spectacular play with the Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL) has drawn more attention to him. Ellis has been one of the top goaltenders in the QMJHL this year, challenged really only by 20-year-old Corey Crawford (CHI), playing with Moncton. Ellis has a 2.30 GAA and a .928 save percentage. He ranks second in goals against average among league starters, trailing just Crawford, who plays on a superior team and leads the Q in save percentage, just edging Crawford. Ellis is tied for second in appearances, and is the reason that Shawinigan has given up the third fewest total of goals all season.

 

The general consensus is that Ellis fell to the Canucks in the sixth round as a result of his size and a poor performance at last year’s Top Prospects Game. Other teams’ concern is the gain of the Canucks who have another potential starting goalie. Ellis is a lightning fast goaltender with outstanding reflexes. He gets square to the shooter well when he has a chance to set up and gets from post to post very quickly. One issue he has is when sliding cross-crease he often slides too far and gets caught out of position. His rebound control could use some work as well. He is used to facing a high number of quality shots and is a workhorse in net. He definitely possesses the material to be a starting goaltender who can win games by himself.

 

13. Fedor Fedorov, LW, (13)

 

Fedor Fedorov remains static in the Canucks Top 20 based on his raw skill level rather than his attitude and actions. However, the clock is ticking on Fedorov, who has hung around for a long time already based on the potential the Canucks see in him. When he’s not working on his singing career with his older brother, Sergei, Fedorov plays with Spartak Moscow in the RSL. In 13 games the 23-year-old has seven points, but has been scratched several times. The Spartak team has seen a lot of player turnover this year, and is backstopped by everyone’s favorite Russian goalie, Andrei Medvedev (CAL).

 

Fedorov’s assessment hasn’t changed since he was drafted for the first time in 1999 by Tampa Bay. Fedorov has great size and skill but floats around the ice and often does not appear to be putting any effort into games and practices. Punished last year for violating several team rules with the Moose, there is nothing to indicate his attitude issues have been resolved. However, in limited games with Spartak he has offensively produced. The issue remains if he can put aside everything else and just play hockey. If so, Fedorov is an NHL scoring line caliber talent. With every passing year, however, this becomes more unlikely.

 

14. Alexander Edler, D, (NR)

 

The young Swedish defenseman debuts on the Canucks Top 20 in the 14 spot. When he was picked by the Canucks in the 2004 draft most people had to take a double-take at a name that nobody recognized. Edler has went from being an unknown to a solid defensive prospect for the Canucks over the past half a year. Born in the same Northern Swedish town (Pitea) as Mattias Ohlund, Edler plays a somewhat similar game to the current Canucks star. After playing last season with a Tier II team, Edler is currently playing with MoDo’s U20 junior team. 20 games into the season, Edler is averaging nearly a point-per-game with six goals, 13 assists. Edler might be playing on in the SEL if he belonged to a weaker team. MoDo’s defense corps is filled with AHL and SEL veterans, and Washington Capitals prospect Oscar Hedman.

 

At 6’3, 194, Edler is very lanky, but the 18-year-old has several years to fill out before the Canucks think about bringing him across the pond. He has good skating for his age and frame, and has a reputation for throwing big hits against the boards. Edler has a solid all around game, and is clearly demonstrating his offensive skills with the MoDo junior team right now, but will need to impress critics at every new level he reaches en route to the NHL. Edler remains a promising prospect, and may be a diamond in the rough, but he is very rough right now.

 

15. Brandon Reid, C, (12)

 

The prolific scorer was a risk when taken in the seventh round out of the QMJHL, and remains as enigmatic today as he was on his draft day. The pint-sized pivot has not grown much over the past few years and elected to play for the Hamburg Freezers (DEL) rather than spend another season with the Manitoba Moose. He has 37 points in 35 games with Hamburg, but the fact remains that he chose not to remain in the AHL, which logically is the nearest he could be to the NHL.

 

Reid is a shifty pivot who often gets the “waterbug” tag to describe his movements on the ice. He has good vision and knows how to use his wingers. He possesses a good scoring touch as well and is a good bet when one on one with the goalie. Things have been downhill for Reid after he played in nine playoff games in 2002-03. Expecting an NHL roster spot was his the next year; Reid performed poorly in camp and spent nearly the entire season in the AHL. Reid made it clear that he had no intention of returning to the AHL this year, signing with Hamburg in early July.

 

16. Mike Brown, RW, (20)

 

Brown moves to No. 16 after being named to Team USA and having a solid tournament on a greatly underachieving team. Brown was asked to fill a checking role and did so well, playing as one of the Americans’ most consistent players. Playing at the University of Michigan in his sophomore season has just five points, putting him on pace to fall below his point total from his freshman season. He has, however, played well in the capacity of a third line checker, being used in all situations and often as a shadow.

 

Brown is a simple player who plays a simple game. He keeps the opponents off their game with his forechecking and physical play. Not graced with an abundance of pure talent, Brown is a hard worker who earns his keep. At 6’1, 210 lbs he has NHL size, but his top end potential maxes out as a third liner.

 

17. François-Pierre Guenette, C, (14)

 

Although FP has 34 points in 43 games, he has had a poor season. He has often been criticized for floating and not seeming to be giving his full effort. He has been juggled with numerous linemates and only recently seems to have picked up his play. The raw statistical numbers are not bad, but considering Guenette scored well over a point per game last season, this year’s numbers are a major disappointment for the over-ager.

 

Guenette has every skill you would hope for from a top-two line type of player. Before this season his consistency was considered one of his greatest assets. Guenette turns 21 on January 18, and this is his contract year. Guenette’s QMJHL eligibility expires entirely at the conclusion of this season, and he must sign a professional contract in order to keep playing. A little on the light side, FP needs to build some more muscle mass to deal with the NHL game and schedule. If the lockout has not ended by the start of next season, FP will likely get offered a contract from one of the Canucks affiliates, but he may need to continue his recent play in order to earn a spot on the Moose in 2005-06.

 

18. Brandon Nolan, RW, (10)

 

In his second year of professional hockey Nolan has not demonstrated any offensive improvement over last year, although it is a positive indication that he has managed to stick with the Moose all season. He re-entered the draft in 2003 and was picked 111^th overall. Nolan has played slightly better in his own end and shows a strong desire every night.

 

A strong puck handler and passer, Nolan has been a scoring line player his entire career. However, it appears unlikely he will be able to establish himself as an offensive player professionally, but his hard work has made him able to adjust to a depth role. Nolan shows up almost every night and will need to continue to enhance his defensive zone coverage if he is to don a Canucks jersey. Nolan is a third line player barring an enormous jump in his development.

 

19. Dennis Grot, D, (11)

 

The Russian blueliner plummets down the rankings this time due to struggles to remain on in a RSL line-up. After failing to earn a roster spot with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, Grot was sent to Sibir Novosibirsk. He has remained in the line-up recently. In 14 games he has one assist. The entire lack of any offensive production is a problem for Grot, who initially was considered an offensive minded defenseman with power play quarterback potential. If this year’s results are an indication, that prognostication may be very inaccurate.

 

The 6’0, 172 lb defenseman was taken in the second round, 55^th overall in 2002, and has failed to live up to the expectations that follow such a high selection. Although he is willing to lay the body, Grot hardly has a mean streak, and tends to lose control of the puck when trying to stickhandle through traffic. Grot must turn his game around and generate more offense if he expects to play in the NHL. At this point Grot has the potential to be a third pairing defenseman, which, if that remains the case, means it is unlikely he will come to North America.

 

20. John Laliberte, RW, (NR)

 

Picked by the Canucks in the fourth round in 2002 Laliberte has exploded offensively this season with 18 points in 20 games, although he has a -2 rating. He gained some weight over the offseason to 200 pounds, which has helped to make him a stronger player on his skates. This season Laliberte has shown more creativity and has found a way to get into the open space at the right time. It is difficult at this point to project if Laliberte expects to return to Boston University next season or if he hopes to net a professional contract and play in the AHL or ECHL.

 

Matt MacInnis, Sean Keogh and Guy Flaming contributed to this article. Copyright 2005 Hockey’s Future. Do not duplicate without permission of the editorial staff.