Former Vancouver Canucks Around The World: AHL Western Conference
A look at some of the former Canucks around the world set to play in the AHL's Western Conference in 2026-27.
Video Transcript
He might play a game.
I mean, Brayden Coots, their first round pick from last year, played three games, in the NHL.
But I would, you know, really look, you know, advise Vancouver management, "Don't be stupid.
Don't rush your players."
Kale Malholtra is playing in the NCAA this year.
That's a smart thing.
Don't rush your young- youngsters.
You're throwing them to the wolves if you put them on a bad team, which is Van- you know, Vancouver is gonna be a bad team next season, and is just thr- sh- pushing him in there.
I mean, if you wanna give him a game or two, fine.
That's, that, or it, it, or, you know, a game or two at the end of the year after he's eliminated in the OHL playoffs if Peterborough doesn't make a, a deep run, that's fine.
But let him play an entire season in the Ontario Hockey League.
Let him play 'em in the world.
Let him play in the World Junior.
That's the best course of action.
Anything other than that is just dumb.
Frank, what do you think?
I am gonna disagree with Angelo on this one, and the reason I say that is the Vancouver Canucks are going to be bad, but you know what?
They've got a lot of young players.
Wouldn't it be nice to ingratiate Novotny into the lineup with some of these young guys on a team that has zero expectations of doing anything impactful?
I mean, look what he did in the OHL.
The OHL, he was phenomenal.
How are you s- how is a player gonna best develop?
Are you gonna stretch the player, or are you gonna keep the player in his comfort zone?
I say you bring him into the NHL, burn a year of his ELC, and put him with some of these younger players that Vancouver has.
Whether that's on a top six role or not remains to be seen, but I think if you're gonna, if you're, if you're drafting a guy and you sign him, why not bring him into the NHL?
You have nothing to lose by bringing him into the NHL on a bad team where he can learn by example and slowly rise the ranks of the lineup.
Now, that's not to say you should put him as your top line guy game one.
No, I am not saying that.
What I am saying is that you should burn a year of his ELC, bring him into Vancouver, and allow him to mesh with some of these young players that, the Canucks acquired specifically from that aforementioned Hughes trade.
