Tom Willander takes over as Vancouver Canucks top prospect

Tom Willander has taken over the top spot among the Vancouver Canucks top prospects list, topping an exciting list of youngsters.

Canucks prospect Jonathan Lekkerimaki has seen some game action with the Canucks this season, but it's a defensive prospect that takes the team's top prospect stop.

Tom Willander a key to the Vancouver Canucks future

The Vancouver Canucks likely wish that they could plug defenseman Tom Willander into their lineup today, as the young Swede could provide a boost to their blueline even at just 20.

The 11th overall pick from 2023 is a right shot, defensive defenseman who has 20 points in 31 games for Boston University while anchoring their top pair.

Willander takes over the top spot from Jonathan Lekkerimaki who has held the position for much of this season.

Lekkerimaki, one year older than Willander, was recalled to the NHL team on Tuesday, and so is not currently considered a prospect.

Sitting at number 2 on the list is center Aatu Raty who is a point per game in the AHL, but managed just 4 points in 21 NHL games in a limited role with Vancouver this season.

Kirill Kudraytsev, Riley Patterson, and Sawyer Mynio round out the top 5 for Vancouver.

Surrey, BC native Arshdeep Bains also joins the list after being sent to the AHL.

Most top prospects graduate from list

Canucks youngsters aren't eligible to be considered prospects when they are in the NHL, which makes the Canucks cupboards look a little deceptively bare.

However, the Canucks future appears to be in good hands not only with Willander and Raty, but with players currently on the NHL roster like Lekkerimaki, Elias Pettersson (D), and Victor Mancini.

Source - The Province: Tom Willander takes over top spot in Canucks prospect rankings from Jonathan Lekkerimäki