New Report Confirms The Vancouver Canucks Are Making Another Push To Sign Tom Willander

The Vancouver Canucks have been trying to sign top prospect Tom Willander, and now, it appears that negotiations could be moving forward in a hurry.

To this point, the Canucks had been unsuccessful in luring Willander to Vancouver on an NHL contract.

With the No. 11 overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, the Vancouver Canucks drafted defenseman Tom Willander, and after two years at Boston University, the expectations for him coming into the NHL are very high.

In those two seasons, Willander has tallied 49 points in 77 games played, with an incredible +47 differential in that time, and unsurprisingly, the Canucks have made a push to sign him and potentially have him in their lineup on opening night 2025/26.

With Willander in his home continent of Europe for the 2025 IIHF World Championship even after being cut by Team Sweden, there are reports that teams there are courting him to turn professional and remain with them for the upcoming season.

«Keep this in mind, the World Hockey Championship is where teams from all the Euro leagues are there. They're meeting with agents to try and sign players for the upcoming season. This week will be pivotal for the Canucks-Willander relationship.'

With the Canucks top brass expected to meet with Willander's representatives the team is expected to make a big step up with their latest offer.

Canucks To Make One Final Push To Sign Tom Willander

According to Rick Dhaliwal, that could push the Canucks to make some concessions in contract talks with Willander, and he has now revealed that we'll know about his future, one way or another very soon.

«He's going to turn pro either in Europe or with the Canucks this time next week we should know where he's signing. It'll either be in Europe or in Vancouver.'

Thankfully for Canucks fans that want to see him in the lineup next season, it appears the gap in negotiations between the two parties has now closed significantly.

«I don't even think the gap is that far. The gap is close. The Canucks have gone up.'

Ultimately, it would be a mistake if Vancouver let the 20-year old sign overseas, and with a major boost needed to their blue line, the push to sign Willander needs to be a big one for the 2025/26 season.