Vancouver Hockey Daily has no direct affiliation to the Vancouver Canucks, NHL or NHLPA
Vancouver Canucks Top Prospect Tom Willander Expected to Sign Contract In A Matter of Weeks
Photo credit: Boston University Athletics.
In just a matter of weeks, the Vancouver Canucks will have one of their top prospects on the NHL roster and it'll be a big moment for the organization.
Earlier on Friday, TSN Director of Scouting and former NHL General Manager Craig Button revealed revealed his top-50 NHL-affiliated prospects list, with a pair of Vancouver Canucks mentioned - Jonathan Lekkerimaki and Tom Willander, both of whom will be making an impact in the league on a full-time basis very soon.
Vancouver Canucks top prospect to sign contract before the season ends
The Vancouver Canucks' prospect pool has plenty of talent, there's no doubt about that, but defenseman Tom Willander is going to be a player that could jump into the NHL right away once he leaves college.
Willander is currently in his second season with Boston University in the NCAA and it looks like he'll be leaving school and turning professional in just a matter of weeks.
Rick Dhaliwal of Donnie & Dhali said on Friday morning while on Sportsnet 650 radio that Tom Willander will be signing his entry-level contract once his season comes to an end with Boston University.
"The next defenceman signing for the Canucks will be Tom Willander, out of Boston University in a few weeks," Dhaliwal said. "I'll be shocked if he doesn't sign. With Elias Pettersson, the defenceman showing so much promise, the Canucks could have, I mean, this is could have three drafted defensemen on their roster next year."
As for when that could be, well it's too early to say because it's all dependent on how far Boston University makes it and with them being third place in Hockey East's standings heading into action on Friday, Canucks fans may be waiting until April.
Following tonight's game against Merrimack, Boston University has seven regular season games remaining before they get ready to participate in one of the NCAA Regional tournaments.
If they win their NCAA Regional tournament, which are being held on the weekend of March 28th to 30th, Willander and BU will clinch a berth in the Frozen Four in St. Louis, which is set for April 10th and 12th.
At the earliest, Tom Willander could sign his entry-level deal and join the Vancouver Canucks around March 30th, and at the latest, he could put pen to paper on April 12th.
Should Boston University make it all the way to the Frozen Four final, then Tom Willander could sign and join the Vancouver Canucks for his National Hockey League debut on either April 14th against the San Jose Sharks or in their regular season finale on April 16th against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Willander, a native of Stockholm, Sweden, has appeared in 24 games for Boston University this season where he's registered 15 points (two goals, 13 assists), six penalty minutes and is a plus-four.
Source: Adam Kierszenblat/The Hockey News
Report: Tom Willander Projected To Sign With The Canucks This Season
Report: Tom Willander Projected To Sign With The Canucks This Season
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 7 | 792 ANSWERS Vancouver Canucks Top Prospect Tom Willander Expected to Sign Contract In A Matter of Weeks Do you think Tom Willander will be in the NHL for the entire 2025-26 season? | ||
| Yes | 392 | 49.5 % |
| No, he'll need time in the AHL to develop | 400 | 50.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
