When it comes to the Vancouver Canucks, they'll have some important decisions to make on every aspect of their roster, whether that be on forward or defence or who will be the backup goaltender behind Thatcher Demko.
Two players to watch heading into training camp for the Canucks are 22-year-old Vasili Podkolzin and veteran forward Tanner Pearson. Pearson is coming off an injury-plagued season that saw him only make 14 appearances before being placed on LTIR after having surgery on his hand. As for Podkolzin, he appeared in 39 games for the Canucks and 28 in the AHL.
Both Podkolzin and Pearson will be vying for spots in the team's opening night lineup and while on Sekeres and Price, TSN reporter and former NHLer Frank Corrado says that the Pearson will likely beat out the Russian forward because he can help the team.
Even if that does become true and Pearson does beat out Podkolzin for a roster spot, he won't be in the American Hockey League with Abbotsford for the entire year. The Canucks got a good look at him last year and know what he's capable of and if he's not on the team's roster to start the season, then he'll most definitely be the first call-up from Abbotsford if an injury occurs.
Who would you rather have in the lineup on a nightly basis - Vasili Podkolzin or Tanner Pearson? Have your say in the poll below!
POLL | ||
9 SEPTEMBRE | 1589 ANSWERS LATEST | TSN Reporter shares who Vasili Podkolzin may lose his spot to Who would you rather have in the lineup on a nightly basis? | ||
Vasili Podkolzin | 788 | 49.6 % |
Tanner Pearson | 240 | 15.1 % |
Both (if they can find a way to make it possible) | 394 | 24.8 % |
See Results | 167 | 10.5 % |
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