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Welcome to the September edition of the DobberProspects 32-in-32 Series. This month, we explore each organization in depth, examining its recent graduates, risers, fallers, and top-20 fantasy prospects. 

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By: Nick Orr

As we discussed in the August 32-in-32 article, the Canucks come into this season with a shift in mentality from the beginning of last season. The team has shifted their focus to competing for the Stanley Cup this year and, in doing so, they’ve forfeited some future capital. The Canucks look to be a formidable opponent in the Western Conference, with the potential for some young players to see time in the NHL

Jonathan Lekkerimaki is on the cusp of having a full-time NHL role, which coincides with Brock Boeser’s expiring contract. What role does Lekkerimaki play this season, and will it impact the decision-making process with Boeser? In addition, players such as Aatu Räty, Linus Karlsson and Arshdeep Bains appear ready to compete for a roster spot. Do the Canucks let them see NHL ice, or do they elect to have them in Abbotsford for one more year? However, even though the team is ready to compete for the Cup, the organization as a whole has some young pieces that get fans excited for years down the road.  

Graduating to the NHL: 

Jonathan Lekkerimaki – Lekkerimaki had a great first full year with Örebro in the SHL as a 19-year-old. He was finally able to showcase and develop his skill set at a professional level. He made the jump to North America for six games with Abbotsford and blossomed. He showcased his offensive talent, but also featured a strong game along the boards and away from the puck. He will likely start in the AHL, but will play NHL games this season, with a chance to crack the opening night roster. 

Graduating from CHL/NCAA to AHL:

Ty Mueller – After spending three years at the University of Nebraska-Omaha, Mueller is ready to make the jump to professional hockey. Mueller can do a bit of everything. He never put up staggering point totals in college, but he has a strong two-way game that can translate to higher levels. He will likely spend a few years in the AHL before being ready to compete for an NHL roster spot. 

Josh Bloom – Bloom had a strong season with the Saginaw Spirit, putting up 40 points in 34 regular season games and 11 points in 17 playoff games. He then played 14 games in Abbotsford and had a little trouble with the adjustment. He is a big body that is effective in all three zones that has a chance to find NHL time in the future. For now, he will have an opportunity to further develop in Abbotsford. 

Christian Felton – Felton is known for his defensive game, so the offensive numbers are not going to pop off the page. He spent three years at Merrimack College before the Canucks signed him. The way he plays aligns with that of Rick Tocchet and the Canucks coaching staff, so it’ll be interesting to see if he gets a look at the NHL roster in the next couple of years. For now, he’ll aim to make his mark in the AHL. 

Ty Young – The 2022 fifth-round pick has spent the last two and a half years with the Prince George Cougars and, in each season, he has gotten a bigger workload. He had a good 2023-24 campaign before the Canucks signed him. He’ll find himself a part of the AHL roster fighting for the starting job. 

Graduating from Europe to North America

Elias Pettersson (D) – After spending time between both Örebro in the SHL and Västerås in Allsvenskan in his D+2 year, Pettersson is ready to make the jump to North America. While his offensive numbers never jumped off the page, he is effective in his own zone and defending the rush. He plays a big, strong game that fits into what Rick Tocchet likes to have on the back end, so he may find NHL time in the not-too-distant future. Luckily for those broadcasting Canucks games, however, he will spend this year with Abbotsford, rather than with the NHL club. 

Risers: 

Aatu Räty – After a bit of inconsistency in the New York Islanders organization, Raty has blossomed in Vancouver. He took a big step in 2023-24, his first full season in Abbotsford. In 72 games, he collected 52 points and finally showcased his offensive upside. Following some impressive play in both the prospect showcase and first few preseason games, Raty may have a chance to crack Vancouver’s opening night roster. The likelier option, however, is him starting the year in Abbotsford with a chance to play in the NHL at some point later in the season. 

Vilmer Alriksson – Alriksson has all of the tools necessary to become a really good NHLer. His big body and tendency to use it to protect the puck allow him to create offense. The 6-6 winger is just 19 years of age, so he may have even more physical maturity ahead of him. He also impressed at the prospect showcase and in preseason. He’ll start the campaign with the Guelph Storm, before potentially joining Abbotsford after the OHL season is complete. 

Fallers: 

Vitali Kravtsov – Kravtsov’s professional career is a tale of two continents. He has found success in the KHL and the MHL in Russia, but has struggled to put it together in the AHL and NHL. He has all of the tools to be a great player but, unfortunately, he may be on his last life with the Canucks. He is currently with Traktor Chelyabinsk. 

Jett Woo – Since being drafted in 2018, Woo has struggled to replicate the offensive production he showed in junior. While he put up 31 points in 62 games last year, it may have come too late. Woo is 25 years of age, so this year may be the final chance he has to make a good impression with the Canucks. 

Organizational Depth Chart 

Left Wing: 

Arshdeep Bains

Lucas Forsell

Josh Bloom

Vilmer Alriksson

Ty Glover

Tristen Nielsen

Center: 

Aatu Räty 

Riley Patterson

Linus Karlsson

Max Sasson

Nathan Smith 

Ty Mueller

Daimon Gardner 

Nils Aman

Dmitri Zlodeyev

Matthew Perkins

Jackson Kunz

Right Wing: 

Jonathan Lekkerimaki

Anthony Romani

Danila Klimovich

Melvin Fernström

Vitali Kravtsov

Left Defense:

Akito Hirose 

Kirill Kudryavtsev

Elias Pettersson

Jackson Dorrington

Jacob Truscott

Sawyer Mynio

Hugo Gabrielson

Basile Sansonnens

Right Defense:
Tom Willander

Filip Johansson

Cole McWard

Jett Woo

Parker Alcos 

Christian Felton

Goaltenders:
Nikita Tolopilo

Aku Koskenvuo

Jiri Patera

Ty Young

Top 20 Fantasy Ranking

This is a ranking of the top 20 Vancouver Canucks prospects that could make the biggest fantasy impact when they make the NHL. Potential upside is the biggest factor in this ranking, while arrival time and NHL certainty have also been taken into account. 

1. Jonathan Lekkerimaki 
2. Aatu Räty 
3. Linus Karlsson
4. Tom Willander
5. Arshdeep Bains
6. Aidan McDonough 
7. Anthony Romani
8. Danila Klimovich 
9. Melvin Fernström
10. Max Sasson
11. Nils Aman
12. Lucas Forsell 
13. Akito Hirose
14. Cole McWard
15. Elias Pettersson
16. Kirill Kudryavtsev
17. Ty Mueller
18. Vilmer Alriksson
19. Sawyer Mynio
20. Vitali Kravtsov

Thank you for reading! Follow me on X @norr028 for more prospect coverage throughout the season.