Canucks Should Sign Tom Willander This Season – The Hockey Writers – Canucks Prospects

Things are not looking too great right now for the Vancouver Canucks as the team has not won a game in regulation since they returned from the 4 Nations Face-Off break. They have a 1-3-0 record since returning and recently had a demoralizing loss to the Anaheim Ducks on the road where they surrendered a 2-0 lead and eventually lost 5-2. Things seem bleak for the Canucks at the moment as they head into Friday’s trade deadline, but help could be on the way with the signing of 2023 first-round pick Tom Willander once his season at Boston University concludes. It will ultimately be his decision whether or not he turns pro, but the Canucks should pursue signing Willander to help their team.

Willander Can Complete the Defence

Vancouver’s defence is one of the stronger aspects of their team since they have Norris Trophy winner Quinn Hughes and other complementary pieces like Filip Hronek and Tyler Myers. The addition of Willander to that unit will solidify and greatly balance the Canucks’ defence core. With the recent acquisition and extension of Marcus Pettersson, they have a great option behind Hughes on their second pair. Adding Willander to the second pair and playing him with Pettersson can complete the core that the Canucks have been looking for. Putting Willander next to Pettersson can push Myers down to the third pair, which could be better as a defensive specialist, and it will push Derek Forbort out of the lineup as the Canucks seventh defenceman, which will help the Canucks with defensive depth.

Playing with Marcus Pettersson, or even Elias Pettersson if the situation calls for it, will also be a breath of fresh air for Willander, as he can play with one of his countrymen. Though Willander has played at Boston University since the fall of 2023 and may have adapted to North American culture, playing and communicating with a player from his native Sweden will help make the transition easier for him. Being able to communicate with his defence partner in his first language will make for much better communication between the two, and both will be on the same page when on the ice. The worst thing you can have is two D-partners that don’t communicate well with each other because that could lead to goals in the back of your net quickly.

Willander Is a Great Talent

Willander has several great abilities that can greatly impact the Canucks in both the…