As training camp coverage concludes in Penticton, the Athletics’ Thomas Drance highlighted three players that helped their chances of securing a role with the Canucks.
Eventually, it’ll be a nice problem for Patrik Allvin, Rick Tocchet and the Canucks’ management.
Mark Friedman
At the risk of being waived if the Canucks decide to carry three goaltenders on their NHL roster, Friedman is certainly making his case to stick around. During Sunday’s scrimmage, the 28-year-old right-shot defenseman impressed with his steady and reliable play.
Thanks to solid positioning, Friedman showcased his usual straightforward, practical style, excelling defensively. He demonstrated underrated mobility, smoothly transitioning defensive zone retrievals into clean breakouts under pressure. His instincts also shone when he capitalized on a turnover created by Nathan Smith, driving the net and scoring a goal.
What sets Friedman apart is his consistency- he rarely makes mistakes. While other young or depth defensemen might show flashes of skill but falter with turnovers or defensive lapses, Friedman remains dependable. Though his 5-foot-11 frame may be considered a disadvantage, his reliable and mistake-free play continues to stand out.
Arturs Silovs
Artūrs �ilovs played the first half of the scrimmage and faced a barrage of shots, with Team White dominating possession and testing him with 16 attempts. Despite the heavy pressure, �ilovs was stellar, not allowing a single goal and helping Team Blue take a 1-0 lead into the break despite being outplayed.
These weren’t just routine saves-�ilovs had to make spectacular stops. He moved explosively across the crease to glove a dangerous Danton Heinen shot after a sharp pass from Brock Boeser. He was perfectly positioned to stop a Daniel Sprong shot from the inner slot and stayed composed to deny Arshdeep Bains on the rebound. �ilovs also played a two-on-one rush against Bains flawlessly, shutting him down again later in the game.
Throughout the scrimmage, �ilovs showcased dynamic, controlled movement in the crease, tracking pucks well and avoiding giving up any rebounds. With increased competition for NHL minutes after the Kevin Lankinen signing, this was a standout performance from �ilovs.
Jonathan Lekkerimaki
Jonathan Lekkerimäki didn’t have the flashiest scrimmage, but he displayed sharp awareness and solid pro-level instincts, especially in his play away from the puck while skating alongside Pettersson and DeBrusk.
In one sequence during the first half, Lekkerimäki tracked back and skillfully pickpocketed J.T. Miller in the neutral zone, earning a crucial clear for his line. Later, during a five-on-six delayed penalty situation, he read a pass from Quinn Hughes and intercepted it, effectively neutralizing the threat.
Offensively, Lekkerimäki’s approach showed promise. On a developing two-on-one with DeBrusk, Lekkerimäki demonstrated patience and goal-scoring poise by stopping at the net front, positioning himself perfectly for a potential finish. While the play didn’t result in a goal, it highlighted the disciplined instincts and scoring mindset he’ll need to break into the NHL.
Three players whose stock went down?
On the other hand, three players stood out of the lot because they were barely noticeable, and this surely won’t help their case down the road. The Canucks have several forwards vying for the 13th forward spot, including Arshdeep Bains, Sammy Blais, and Linus Karlsson.
Bains struggled to stand out during Sunday’s scrimmage. Though he showed flashes of skill and creativity, several turnovers hurt his performance, including one that led to a Conor Garland goal. Bains must step up to stay in the conversation for an NHL spot.
Sammy Blais, currently on PTO, also had a tough outing. His turnovers led to scoring chances for the opposition, and he failed to make an impact on the forecheck. He’ll need to improve his puck management and energy to earn a contract.
While Linus Karlsson was not poor, he missed vital opportunities to impress. He had some excellent moments but made errors, such as a giveaway at the offensive blue line, leaving the coaching staff wanting more.
