Scout's Analysis: Projecting Canucks prospect Tom Willander

I was recently brainstorming with our editor at Sportsnet.ca, our fearless leader Rory Boylen, and we landed on an idea for a new monthly column that will update our readers on the progress of prospects from all of the Canadian NHL franchises.

The end goal is to provide our readers with an additional layer of insight into prospects like Vancouver Canucks defenceman Tom Willander, Toronto defence prospect Ben Danford, and Montreal Canadiens goaltending prospect Jacob Fowler. The process will also include other prospects who are flying under the radar, but continue to trend in a positive direction and are worth scouting and checking in on.

These monthly prospect reports will focus on one trending player from each Canadian NHL organization, and I will also identify an additional player who I am monitoring for a future edition.

The players I write about will generally be developing outside of the NHL and could include those in the AHL, CHL, NCAA, or European junior and pro leagues. However, in some cases I might focus on a player who was recently called up to the NHL, but has yet to establish himself in a full-time role.

We should note that not all organizations have the same quality of NHL prospects. Some of the Canadian franchises have gone through a significant rebuilding process (Montreal) compared to others who have been in “win now” mode (Edmonton) and sacrificed draft capital in trades to assist with bolstering their current NHL lineups.

With all of the above in mind, I’m excited to provide the October prospect report:

Vancouver Canucks

Tom Willander, 6-foot-1, 180 pounds, right shot defenceman
Drafted 11th overall in 2023

Willander made his Canucks debut on Tuesday night versus the New York Rangers and logged a total 12:37 of ice time. He was deployed at even strength (10:54) and the power play (1:22) along with a small dose on the penalty-kill (0:21). Willander directed two shots on net and wasn’t scored against when he was on the ice. The Canucks were shutout by the Rangers so he obviously didn’t contribute offensively on the scoresheet.

Willander has been averaging over 21 minutes per night at the AHL level and growing his game by way of being used in all key situations. It’s not easy for a rookie defenceman to ply his trade in the AHL. I’m not sure many people recognize how hard the players in that league are to play against. The attention to detail isn’t the same as the NHL, but the compete level and physical push back makes life especially difficult on youngsters.

I’ve broken down Willander’s game over his first segment in the AHL and came away with mostly positive viewings.

The biggest adjustment young defenders have to make when they graduate to the pro game is reacting to the speed and the limited amount of space there is to make plays with the puck. There isn't a lot of time to think and it tests the hockey sense of young defencemen. They must adjust their game accordingly.

Here’s a sequence I noticed in one of Willander’s recent games at the AHL level in Abbotsford. His active stick beside his own net creates a turnover and leads to an outlet to forward Chase Stillman. Unfortunately, Stillman turned the puck over high in the zone and the play returned to its original location deep in the Canucks' zone.

At this stage Willander has a choice to make: either reverse the play to his partner or chip it back into pressure. I’ve highlighted the result, but it’s ironic, and lucky, the Canucks ended up getting a defensive zone exit off a mishandled puck from their opponent.

What I appreciate most about Willander’s game is his ability to recover, or make plays, because of his outstanding skating ability. Here’s a sample of Willander quarterbacking the power play in Abbotsford. His movement, and quick decision making with the puck, stand out to me.

My last clip displays the learning process that remains for Willander. This sequence highlights his ability to pivot to a puck that is chipped behind him in the neutral zone. His attempt to outlet the play to his partner, Pierre-Olivier Joseph, was ill-timed. Willander had two options to move the puck and putting it in the middle of the ice wasn’t the right one.

The Canucks staff will undoubtedly break this play down for Willander and show him where his better options were in the sequence.

Projection: Willander is trending in a positive direction overall. I project him as a second pairing NHL defenceman who can quarterback the second power play unit and provide an option to be used in all situations as he matures.

Monitoring: Alexei Medvedev, 6-foot-3, 181 pounds, left catching goaltender

The Canucks are set in goal at the NHL level for the next several years with both Thatcher Demko and Kevin Lankinen signed to long-term deals, but they did select netminder Alexei Medvedev from the Memorial Cup Champion London Knights in the second round (47^th overall) at the 2025 Draft. Medvedev is off to a solid start this year with the Knights. Through his first six games he’s posted a 4-1-1 record, 2.15 GAA and .912 save percentage.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Ben Danford, 6-foot-2, 194 pounds, right shot defenceman
Drafted 31st overall in 2024

I was in Montreal for the rookie showcase in September and came away impressed with the overall growth of Danford’s game. He’s clearly stronger and more powerful than he was last season. Danford is never going to move the needle offensively, but he has good size, range, and he’s willing to block shots when required. The bulk of his ice time will always come at even strength and the penalty-kill.

Danford is back in the OHL this season, starting with the Oshawa Generals where he was logging a ridiculous amount of ice time. In his most recent eight-game segment he averaged over 28 minutes per game and was deployed in all situations. He’s produced 1G-3A in the segment and continues to play to his strengths defensively.

Earlier on Thursday Danford was traded to the Brantford Bulldogs, who are trying to compete for a league title.

Danford skates very well and sacrifices his body for the good of the group, but he’s the kind of prospect who will fly under the radar compared to others across the league who produce more offence and impact the game with highlight reel plays, but he has to be respected for his approach. He plays to his strengths without straying outside his comfort zone. He knows what he is as a player and the Leafs can trust the way he attacks the game.

Projection: Bottom pairing, two-way/shut-down defenceman who can slide into a second pairing role on occasion.

Monitoring: Dennis Hildeby, 6-foot-7, 222 pounds, left catching goaltender

The Leafs have recently called upon one of their AHL goaltenders to fill a void with the NHL club when they have dealt with injuries to their netminders. Is Hildeby a full-time NHL goalie moving forward? In his first four games with the AHL Marlies he has posted a 2-1-1 record, 2.44 GAA and .903 save percentage.

Edmonton Oilers

Ike Howard, 5-foot-10, 181 pounds, left shot forward
Drafted 31st overall in 2022

This one might seem a bit out of place to some readers since Howard has played 10 games in the NHL already this season, but the reality is Zach Hyman is close to returning to the Oilers lineup and someone will have to drop out when that happens.

Howard’s ice time has been declining recently and he’s averaged only 9:52 per game on the season overall. He’s been credited with 12 shots on goal and scored two goals in his mostly limited role, but the Oilers will have to decide what’s best for Howard’s long-term trajectory before long.

I appreciate Howard has quick strike scoring ability, especially from the weakside flank on the power play, but he has a ways to go with his three-zone detail at the NHL level and needs to assert himself as more of a distraction as the F1 on the forecheck. I don’t envision Howard's role will elevate when Hyman returns to the lineup and believe he will be better suited skating heavy minutes in the AHL as he continues to evolve as a pro.

Projection: Second line forward who will be deployed at even strength and the power play.

Monitoring: David Lewandowski, 6-foot-2, 176 pounds, left shot forward

Lewandowski was drafted by the Oilers in the fourth round this past June. He’s a skilled forward with size and good puck touch whose offensive numbers are on the rise playing for Saskatoon in the WHL. Through his first 14 games this season he has produced 5G-11A. Lewandowski will be a player to watch for Team Germany at the world juniors in Minneapolis/St.Paul over the Christmas holidays.

Calgary Flames

Andrew Basha, 6-foot, 187 pounds, left shot forward
Drafted 41st overall in 2024

Basha has graduated from the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers and landed in the AHL with the Calgary Wranglers to start his pro career.

Basha is at his best when he’s playing a high octane and energetic style. When he’s hounding pucks to create turnovers and pushing the pace up ice in transition, he is a threat to create offence. I appreciate how hard Basha competes overall and believe he can, in time, be deployed in a variety of roles up and down the lineup at the NHL level.

So far this season Basha has contributed 1G-1A in a surprisingly limited role with the Wranglers. He’s averaging just over 10 minutes per game and only being deployed at even strength through his first six AHL games. I will continue to monitor how he evolves and if the coaching staff starts to trust him with more ice time going forward.

Projection: Middle-six/two-way energy forward who can provide secondary offence.

Monitoring: Jacob Battaglia, 6-foot-1, 203 pounds, left shot forward

Battaglia is another second-round pick by the Flames (62^nd overall) from the 2024 draft. He’s back playing for the Kingston Frontenacs in the OHL. Battaglia’s primary ice time comes at even strength and the power play. He’s produced 6G-4A in his first 11 games this season. I’m monitoring his three zone detail and shift-to-shift impact overall.

Winnipeg Jets

Brayden Yager, 6-foot, 170 pounds, right shot forward
Drafted 14th overall in 2023

Yager is starting his pro career at the AHL level playing for the Manitoba Moose and through his first eight games he’s averaged just shy of 15 minutes per game. Almost all of his shifts come at even strength and the power play, and he’s contributed 2G-2A in the segment.

Yager has the skill set to someday land a top-six role in the Jets lineup. One of the things that holds him back at this stage of his development is his strength. His hockey sense, skating, and overall skill are in place, but he needs to find a way to get stronger. I appreciate the fact he isn’t cutting corners with his approach in the AHL. He’s generally responsible on and off the puck defensively and is consistently engaged from shift to shift. When he adds more power to his frame his impact will rise to another level.

Projection: Second line forward who can play centre and wing while contributing offence at even strength and on the power play.

Monitoring: Colby Barlow, 6-foot-1, 194 pounds, left shot forward

Barlow, like Yager, is a first-year pro playing for the Moose in the AHL. He’s averaging just shy of 11 minutes of ice time to start the season and hasn’t yet hit his stride offensively. Through his first eight games played he’s produced only one assist and he’s a minus-4. I’m monitoring his pace and ability to find pucks in high danger scoring areas.

Ottawa Senators

Carter Yakemchuk, 6-foot-4, 207 pounds, right shot defenceman
Drafted seventh overall in 2024

Yakemchuk has started his pro career at the AHL level with the Belleville Senators. Depending on the game scenario he’s been averaging between 19-24 minutes per game. All of his ice time comes at even strength and the power play, and he’s produced 2G-2A in his first eight AHL games.

Yakemchuk is adjusting to the pace and competitiveness of the AHL. He has no issues tracking up and down the ice on time, but his routes to kill plays defensively are a work in progress. When he’s leading the power play breakout his opponents respect his speed and generally back off through the neutral zone in an effort to keep Yakemchuk, and his group, in front of them defensively. I’m comfortable with how he is distributing the puck but, again, there have been instances where he needs to make a quicker decision moving plays along. Yakemchuk has directed 14 shots on goals and he’s a minus-6 in the eight games.

Projection: Second pairing, two-way defenceman who can contribute secondary offence and push back physically.

Monitoring: Logan Hensler, 6-foot-3, 198 pounds, right shot defenceman

The Sens drafted Hensler 23rd overall this past June. He’s a sophomore at Wisconsin where he is averaging around 16 minutes per game. I’ve always liked his skating and overall agility. In monitoring Hensler I'm looking for him to define his game.

Montreal Canadiens

The hardest part about breaking down the Canadiens' prospects is choosing where to begin. The organization is loaded with talent and has an embarrassment of assets.

Jacob Fowler, 6-foot-2, 214 pounds, left catching goaltender
Drafted 69th overall in 2023

The Canadiens have depth at all positions in the organization and Fowler is a future No. 1 goaltender at the NHL level. He’s starting his first full year at the pro level suiting up with Laval in the AHL.

Through his first five games played Fowler has posted a 3-2 record, 2.40 GAA and .902 save percentage. It’s been an interesting segment of games to start the season for Fowler. He has two shutouts, but has also allowed six goals (versus Belleville) and four goals (versus Manitoba) in his two other starts.

What I like most about Fowler’s game is how he uses his size to his advantage. He fronts shooters and sits tall in his butterfly. His rebound control is generally very sound and his low net coverage is excellent. Fowler has outstanding feet. His mobility, tracking plays from side to side, is outstanding.

Something I noticed most in the games where he was scored on was how he tracked pucks in traffic, especially when his team was down a man on the penalty-kill. It could have been better. He was glancing over and around opponents, but there were times he found himself deep in the net guessing where the puck was coming from.

With Jakub Dobes playing at a high level and Samuel Montembeault under contract until the end of next season, Montreal can be patient with Fowler’s development in the AHL before making a decision about him landing on the NHL roster.

Projection: No. 1A, starting NHL goaltender

Monitoring: Alexander Zharovsky, 6-foot-1, 163 pounds, left shot forward

The Canadiens selected Zharovsky in the second round (34^th overall) this past draft and he could end up being a steal. He’s a highly skilled forward who is now developing in the KHL playing for Salavat UFA. He’s posted 5G-7A in his first 12 regular season games.