Vancouver Canucks' Braeden Cootes Opens up About His Chances of Making the Team's Roster Out of Camp
Photo credit: NHL/Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks prospect Braeden Cootes recently opened up about his chances of making the team's roster out of training camp, with opening night in just nine days.
In less than a week, the Vancouver Canucks will need to submit their opening night roster to the National Hockey League and there are still quite a few players that'll need to be cut and/or waived in order to be assigned to the American Hockey League.
As Adam Foote ponders who he wants to keep on his roster when the club opens the 2025-26 season next Thursday, 2025 first round pick Braeden Cootes is one players that is drawing of attention recently and is leaving a strong impression on the team's coaching staff, management and even his future teammates.
"I had the chance to talk to him during one of the drills today and he was just excited, as you'd expect. He also stood out today. He had a really good day. Getting on pucks and he's obviously smart and creative in some of the drills. So he's not just out here excited to be here, he's here to make an impression and he's done that through the first two days." Assistant Coach Brett McLean said recently.
Braeden Cootes comments on his chances to make Vancouver Canucks' roster
When meeting with reporters after practice last Friday, Braeden Cootes said that he is hoping to prove to everyone that he can play in the National Hockey League right away and that he doesn't just want to be there for "an experience", he wants to contribute and help the club win hockey games.
"My goal is just to show people I can maybe play here. Make the coaches be like 'oh, maybe he's got a shot, make a little noise there.'I'm a competitive person, I'm not just going in there for an experience." Cootes said.
The Sherwood Park, Alberta native has suited up in three of Vancouver's four preseason games thus far and has been pretty solid, picking up three points (two goals, one assist), along with a faceoff percentage of 55.6 and is second on the team in five-on-five ice time, only behind Kiefer Sherwood, according to Grady Sas.
"Braeden Cootes in 3 preseason games so far for the #Canucks:
🔹 3 points (2 goals, 1 assist)
🔹 5 SOG
🔹 2nd 5v5 TOI behind Sherwood
🔹 57.6 CF% & 57.9 SF%
🔹 55.2 xGF%, 61.1 SCF% & 75% HDCF%
🔹 55.6 FOW% (above 50% every game)
Stats match the eye test for how well he's played." Sas shared on X.
🔹 3 points (2 goals, 1 assist)
🔹 5 SOG
🔹 2nd 5v5 TOI behind Sherwood
🔹 57.6 CF% & 57.9 SF%
🔹 55.2 xGF%, 61.1 SCF% & 75% HDCF%
🔹 55.6 FOW% (above 50% every game)
Stats match the eye test for how well he's played." Sas shared on X.
At this point, especially if he has another strong showing or two in the final couple preseason games for the Canucks, it wouldn't be a shock to anyone if Braeden Cootes is named to Vancouver's opening night roster and be given the full nine-game trial before being sent back to the Western Hockey League.
Previously on CanucksDaily
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