Top 20 Under-25 - 2019 Canucks Edition - Elite Hockey Experience

Top 20 Under-25 - 2019 Canucks Edition

2019-03-14

TOP 20 UNDER 25
AN EHE SERIES

Welcome to the 2019 Vancouver Canucks Top 20 Under 25!

Travis Fleming

3rd manager this franchise has seen. He boosts a winning record and is in a first year of a rebuild after chasing the cup for first couple of seasons as his 33 playoff game appereances show. 2017 & 2016 Conference finals is where he felt short. Last year at the deadline he sold off his valued veterans for very decent returns and the future is looking bright in Vancouver.

Player Qualifications:
Before we dive into the 2018-2019 Top-20 Under 25 EHE Vancouver Canucks Players Ranking, let’s take a quick moment to determine the criteria upon which these players have been selected.

Any player who will be 25 years-of-age or older by January 1st, 2019, has not been considered.
Now, without further ado, dive into the ranking. As always, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.

1: Alex Debrincat, W, Blackhawks
Age: 21 // Drafted: 28th overall, 2016 (CHI)

Accquired: 10.15.2018 via TRADE: Dallas Stars acquired Alex Ovechkin and a 2019 4th round pick from the Vancouver Canucks for Alex DeBrincat, Mikkel Boedker, Nic Hague, Troy Terry, a 2019 1st round pick, and cash considerations.

Any time you're traded for Alex Ovechkin, there's going to be a lot of pressure put on you to preform. Luckily, Debrincat is handling it just fine. The 21-year old is having a massive season in the NHL, averaging nearly a point-per-game in just his second year. This recent uptick in production means he's a no-brainer to top this list. The scary thing is, he likely hasn't even reached his full potential yet.

2: Nico Hischier, C, Devils
Age: 20 // Drafted: 2nd overall, 2017 (NYR)

Accquired: 10.19.2018 via TRADE: New York Rangers acquired Tuukka Rask, Joe Veleno, Troy Terry, a 2019 2nd round pick, and a 2020 3rd round pick from the Vancouver Canucks for Nico Hischier and Adam Huska.

When GM Travis Fleming sent a massive package to New York (including star goalie Tuukka Rask) to acquire Hischier, he touted the former first overall pick as the team's future number one centre. While the young Swiss hasn't quite put up those kind of numbers so far this season, the potential is currently there. Hischier oozes skill and hockey smarts, and it's only a matter of time before he cements himself as a star in the league.

3: Sam Reinhart, RW, Sabres
Age: 23 // Drafted: 5th overall, 2015 (CBJ)

Accquired: 02.14.2018 via TRADE: Boston Bruins acquired Ryan O'Reilly, Dustin Tokarski, and a 2018 3rd round pick from the Vancouver Canucks for Sam Reinhart, Thatcher Demko, Scott Glennie, and a 2018 1st round pick.

Sam Reinhart was the centerpiece of a major deal that sent longtime Canuck Ryan O'Reilly to Boston last year. So far, the acquisition looks like a savvy move by GM Travis Fleming. He's already shattered his NHL career high in points, and at just 23 there's still room to improve. Reinhart figures to be a building block for the Canucks for years to come.

11: Thatcher Demko, G, Canucks
Age: 23 // Drafted: 51st overall, 2015 (CHI)

The former NCAA star has been eased into the NHL, spending two and a half years in the AHL before finally being called up full-time. Demko will begin his NHL career as a back-up, but the Canucks are hoping hoping he can eventually parlay his solid AHL numbers into a career as an NHL number starter. With Cory Schneider's ability to be a long term number one goalie in doubt, the pressure is on for Demko to fulfill his potential.

13: Zach Aston Reese, W, Penguins
Age: 24 // Drafted: 34th overall, 2017 (VGK)

Accquired: 02.10.2018 via TRADE: Vegas Golden Knights acquired Kris Letang from the Vancouver Canucks for Zach Aston-Reese and a 2018 1st round pick.

It's taken the college free agent a while to establish himself as a full-time NHL player, but his hard work seems to be paying of. Aston-Reese is seeing bigger minutes this year, spending a lot of time on Pittsburgh's second line with Evgeni Malkin and Phill Kessel. Although he's still not putting up massive numbers, he seems to be developing into a solid middle six winger, which the Canucks would be thrilled with.

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Other notable players: Tyler Motte, Peter Cehlarik, AJ Greer, Maxim Mamin and Adam Huska.

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