Canucks Fans Need a Little Patience with Liam Öhgren

So Far, Öhgren Hasn’t Proved Himself in the NHL

On paper? Öhgren’s NHL numbers aren’t exactly jumping off the page. He’s played 48 games between Minnesota and Vancouver, with four goals and eight points to show for it. Before the trade, he went 18 games without a point.

On the surface, that’s not exactly the kind of resume that would make Canucks’ fans notice. What we do know is that Öhgren can score. Last season in the American Hockey League (AHL), he scored 19 goals and 18 assists in 41 games with Iowa. International experience too, Sweden U-20s, Swedish Hockey League. Not flashy, but solid. Vancouver’s middle- and bottom-six spots are wide open, so this is exactly the kind of guy you want learning in your system.

With the Canucks, So Far So Good

So far with the Canucks, Öhgren’s looked decent. He scored his first goal on December 17 versus the Rangers. Nothing too strange — just a wrist shot that dribbled past Quick — but it counts. Little moments like that get a young player thinking, “I’m in the right spot here.”

So what do fans really get with Öhgren? He’ll probably start as a bottom-six winger, third or fourth line. He might get a few shifts on the power play or top six if he shows he’s ready. Right now, Vancouver doesn’t have to force anything. There’s no need to expect him to become a point-per-game guy suddenly. If he needs more ice time, send him to the Abbotsford Canucks.

At the End of the Day, Öhgren Could Be a Solid Canucks’ Addition

At the end of the day, Öhgren’s a bet with some upside. If it clicks, he’s a solid middle-six guy with size, skill, and steady growth. If it takes longer, well, Vancouver didn’t lose the trade. Quiet, steady, still developing — that’s exactly the kind of player a team in rebuild mode can afford to nurture.