Tanner Kaspick

June 2022 – At 24 years old, Kaspick will need to improve his production in order to continue on his path to the NHL. Thus far in his professional career, he’s played 170 games in the AHL and tallied 18 goals and 19 assists. As an RFA, it’s not unlikely he doesn’t get re-signed and instead signs a minor league contract this off-season. Gordon Munro

June 2018: Kaspick finished his last season in the WHL as both a captain of the Brandon Wheat Kings and a point-per-game player for the Victoria Royals post-trade. A quick skater with a bit of an edge Kaspick’s next challenge is the AHL. It’s too soon to tell if the forward prospect will be as successful on pro ice but he’s going to get plenty of opportunities with the San Antonio Rampage. Josh Epstein

September 2017 – Kaspick made progress in 2016-2017 with the Brandon Wheat Kings.  Although 19 goals and 26 assists in 49 games does not cause anybody to be elated, the five PPGs and 3 SHGs are a positive sign for Kaspick’s development.  The Blues are a patient organization and Kaspick remains a player who projects out as a bottom 6 grinding forward with some upside.  He faces increased competition longer term from newly drafted players such as Kostin and Thomas who possess more overall talent than Kaspick.  On the other hand, bottom six grinders are always in demand if they learn to play within their limitations.  Kaspick seems willing to engage in the physical aspect of the game.  The talent on the Brandon Wheat Kings in 2016-2017 meant he was playing down the lineup; and that could account for his production of goals being good but not excellent. Kaspick is playing at the Traverse City Tournament this week; and it is an especially important chance for him to showcase himself.  Kaspick seems at least two seasons away from an NHL callup. Doug Abrams

December 2016 – The Blues took their third centre of the 2016 draft by picking Tanner Kaspick of the WHL-champion Brandon Wheat Kings and recipient of the 2016 WHL Scholastic Player of the Year. Going into his draft year, Kaspick wasn’t putting up any kind of offensive numbers that would make you say “wow”. He scored just one goal in his 2014-15 rookie campaign and tallied 13 this 2015-16. He wasn’t afforded prime ice time as he had the misfortune of playing behind Nolan Patrick, Jayce Hawryluck and John Quenneville so that had a large affect on his numbers. But thanks to the graduation to the professional ranks for the later two and Patrick battling an injury that has sidelined him for all but six games this year, Kaspick has taken his game to another level. In his third WHL campaign, the assistant captain has registered 11 goals and 18 assists (a team high) in 27 games. And on a team full of minuses Kaspick is a plus-five. He’s a hard-working, heart and soul type player who’s not afraid to battle in the corners or go the greasy areas on the ice and make things happen. Brad Phillips