Canucks' Liam Ohgren Sees the Game a Little Differently

I’m starting to really like what I’m seeing from the Vancouver Canucks’ Liam Ohgren. Something about the young player’s game catches your eye. He seems to know where the puck is going before it gets there. He makes a pass that looks simple, but a second later you realize he saw something the rest of us didn't.

That’s hockey sense. And you can’t teach very much of that.

Ohgren is part of a rejuvenated Canucks team this season.

Ohgren celebrated his 100th NHL game Saturday night by scoring a goal and adding an assist in the Canucks’ 4-1 comeback win over Calgary. He also played 17:19 on the second line. But I’m less interested in the two points than in how he moves around the ice.

The goal was a good example. Ohgren got a redirection on a rush, followed the play and then stayed with his own rebound. The initial chance didn't go in, so he didn't admire it. He went back to work and got the puck across the line. Then he found Elias Pettersson with a pass that led to Vancouver's second goal.

That’s the part I like. Some young players are always looking for their own chance. Ohgren seems to be looking for the play. There’s a difference.

Related: Canucks Prospect Adam Novotny Comes Out Flying

The Canucks got a good return for Quinn Hughes.

The Canucks acquired Ohgren from Minnesota in the Quinn Hughes trade, along with Zeev Buium, Marco Rossi and a first-round pick. He was a first-round pick himself back in 2022, so this isn't some kid who suddenly appeared out of nowhere. A lot of expectation has been attached to him for a while. Now he's beginning to look comfortable.

And maybe the bigger story is that Ohgren has the skating and the shot. Scouts have been talking about those things for years. But what makes a player really interesting to me is when the physical tools are joined by the ability to think the game.

You can see it in the little things. Getting into the right spot. Making the extra pass. Knowing when to drive the net. Staying with a play after the first opportunity disappears. Those aren't highlight-reel skills. They're winning-hockey skills.

Ohgren is still growing as a player. But he's looking good doing it.

And at 22, Ohgren is still figuring out exactly what kind of NHL player he is going to become. The Canucks don't need to rush his development. That said, if this early version of Liam Ohgren is any indication, they may have a pretty good hockey player growing right in front of them.

I like players who seem to have a little extra time in their heads. Those are usually the ones worth watching.

Related: Canucks’ Paul Cotter Thinks He Has More to Show