Insider Confirms Top Prospect Tom Willander May Not Sign with the Vancouver Canucks in Sudden Turn of Events
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An insider believes that there's a chance that top defensive prospect Tom Willander won't sign his entry-level contract with the Vancouver Canucks until after the 2025-26 season.
Vancouver Canucks fans are eagerly awaiting the arrival of top defensive prospect Tom Willander, but it keeps getting delayed - for good reason, as he's off to the Frozen Four with Boston University.
While putting pen-to-paper on his entry-level contract following the Frozen Four is still the most likely outcome here, one insider says that returning to Boston University for a third season might be a legit possibility.
Rick Dhaliwal says Tom Willander could return for third NCAA season
During the opening segment of Tuesday's edition of Donnie & Dhali, insider Rick Dhaliwal shared an update on Tom Willander and his entry-level contract.
Dhaliwal said that as the Vancouver Canucks attempt to get the contract done, once Boston University's season ends, it could come down to a battle over performance bonuses.
He added that Willander's camp will continue to weigh all possibilities including burning a year of the entry-level deal this season or having the contract begin and signing an ATO to finish the year in Abbotsford.
A source also told Dhaliwal that returning to Boston University for a third season is also an option that's being considered.
"Knowing his representative, they will likely do what they feel is best for his career long-term in earning power. What does the actual contract look like? It could come down to a battle over the scheduled performance bonuses. Canucks may be trying to sign Willander to the same performance bonuses that Jonathan Lekkerimäki got two years ago. Keep that one in mind." Dhaliwal said.
He went on to add, "Willander has certainly met or exceeded his draft position with his stellar play. Maybe the bonuses he feels should be higher. Do you burn a year of the contract? Do you play the rest of the year in Abbotsford? Going back to school, I've been told, for a third season is now an option as well. There are a lot of things in play."
He went on to add, "Willander has certainly met or exceeded his draft position with his stellar play. Maybe the bonuses he feels should be higher. Do you burn a year of the contract? Do you play the rest of the year in Abbotsford? Going back to school, I've been told, for a third season is now an option as well. There are a lot of things in play."
There's no doubt that Willander will want to make the jump to professional hockey with the Canucks organization as soon as he can, and while returning to Boston University for a third year may be an option, it could also be a negotiating tactic to get specific bonuses or have the ELC start immediately.
The Stockholm, Sweden native has appeared in 37 games this season for Boston University where he's put up 23 points (two goals, 21 assists), eight penalty minutes and is a plus-19.
Willander and fellow Vancouver Canucks prospect Aiden Celebrini will be back in action for their Frozen Four semi-final on April 10th at 5:30 pm PT against Penn State.
Previously on CanucksDaily
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 2 | 433 ANSWERS Insider Confirms Top Prospect Tom Willander May Not Sign with the Vancouver Canucks in Sudden Turn of Events Do you think Tom Willander will sign after the Frozen Four this month or go back for a 3rd year at BU? | ||
| He'll sign after the Frozen Four | 238 | 55 % |
| Return to BU for a third year | 195 | 45 % |
| List of polls | ||
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