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Tom Willander, Boston College (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)

Canucks Should Sign Tom Willander This Season

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers
By Lukas Bernasiewicz | Last updated Mar 1, 2025 4:05 PM ET

Things are not looking too great right now for the Vancouver Canucks as the team has not won a game in regulation since they returned from the 4 Nations Face-Off break. They have a 1-3-0 record since returning and recently had a demoralizing loss to the Anaheim Ducks on the road where they surrendered a 2-0 lead and eventually lost 5-2. Things seem bleak for the Canucks at the moment as they head into Friday’s trade deadline, but help could be on the way with the signing of 2023 first-round pick Tom Willander once his season at Boston University concludes. It will ultimately be his decision whether or not he turns pro, but the Canucks should pursue signing Willander to help their team.

Willander Can Complete the Defence

Vancouver’s defence is one of the stronger aspects of their team since they have Norris Trophy winner Quinn Hughes and other complementary pieces like Filip Hronek and Tyler Myers. The addition of Willander to that unit will solidify and greatly balance the Canucks’ defence core. With the recent acquisition and extension of Marcus Pettersson, they have a great option behind Hughes on their second pair. Adding Willander to the second pair and playing him with Pettersson can complete the core that the Canucks have been looking for. Putting Willander next to Pettersson can push Myers down to the third pair, which could be better as a defensive specialist, and it will push Derek Forbort out of the lineup as the Canucks seventh defenceman, which will help the Canucks with defensive depth.

Playing with Marcus Pettersson, or even Elias Pettersson if the situation calls for it, will also be a breath of fresh air for Willander, as he can play with one of his countrymen. Though Willander has played at Boston University since the fall of 2023 and may have adapted to North American culture, playing and communicating with a player from his native Sweden will help make the transition easier for him. Being able to communicate with his defence partner in his first language will make for much better communication between the two, and both will be on the same page when on the ice. The worst thing you can have is two D-partners that don’t communicate well with each other because that could lead to goals in the back of your net quickly.

Willander Is a Great Talent

Willander has several great abilities that can greatly impact the Canucks in both the short and long term. In his time at Boston University, he has shown that he can quarterback a powerplay tremendously as a right-handed defenceman. With Hughes controlling the first power play unit from the point, Willander could give the Canucks an alternate look on the second unit since he shoots right. He also has a great ability to get pucks through traffic and on the net. With that being a big strength of his, that will lead to many offensive chances, as one of the best ways to score on the power play is by simply sending the puck to the net with traffic in front of the goalie and hoping to get a rebound or a tip in front. Willander’s shot on its own is also pretty accurate if he is given an open lane.

Another big part of his game is his stretch passes from the defensive zone to the neutral zone. Transitional offence is Vancouver’s strongest asset with their quick players like Conor Garland and Brock Boeser. Willander can break the puck out cleanly from his own zone to neutral ice or even to the far blue line for a breakaway if the pass is available. With this important ability, Willander can be the creator of several offensive zone entries and offensive opportunities for the Canucks as they try and score goals during games. Once in the offensive zone, Willander commands the blue line and has an incredible ability to find open teammates for great offensive chances.

Willander will help the Canucks if signed and could help them in short order. He will help complete their defensive structure and use his gifted offensive capabilities to help the team score goals.