Petrus Palmu

July 2021 – The Canucks have decided against qualifying the Finnish forward. He will official become a free agent. Dave Hall

June 2021 – Palmu spent his 2020-21 season in Germany skating for ERC Ingolstadt (DEL).  He posted 22 points during his 37 game stay, which, optically does not look promising in comparison to stronger numbers (in higher tiers) in previous years. To continue his traveled career, the pending RFA will suit up for his fifth team in as many years, as he heads back to Liiga for the 2021-22 campaign. For now, the future of Palmu in a Canucks uniform continues to drift further away. Dave Hall

March 2020 – Overall, Palmu had a nice year in Finland – especially early on in the season. The 22-year-old was among the league leaders through the first half before seeing his production dwindle significantly in the back. Not a great sign. Palmu has one more season on his ELC with the Canucks and may try to come back over for the 2020-21 campaign and try his hand in the AHL again. My guess is he stays in Finland though. Cam Robinson

March 2019 – After an award-winning season in the Finnish Liiga in 2017-2018, expectations were moderately high for the 21-year-old as he crossed the pond and joined the Comets of the American League. Inconsistent play and playing time resulted in a trip back to Finland to his former TPS squad. Questions swirled why a developmental team was unable to find playing time for the big club’s prospects. Palmu stated he had no idea why he couldn’t crack the top 12 forwards – that there was no communication with him. Not a great look. Since returning home, Palmu has played primarily on the second line. He has 18 points in 27 games on the season, but just two in past eight contests. It will be interesting to see if he attempts to come back to Utica for next season, or sticks around at home. Cam Robinson

May 2018 – Palmu was recently recognized as the Top Rookie in the Finnish Liiga. A terrific honour bestowed upon the 20-year-old forward. He’s using that momentum to cross the pond and sign with the Canucks. The infusion of talent heading to Utica of the AHL in 2018-19 continues to grow. Palmu is trending towards outkicking his sixth-round draft selection and looks like a potentially sneaky fantasy add down the line. Cam Robinson

March 2018 – Palmu has had a tremendous first season in the Finnish Liiga. The powerfully built, but short winger led all first-year players with 36 points (17+19) in 59 contests while seeing time in the top six and bouncing between the two power-play units. The soon-to-be 21-year-old has followed that up with three goals and four points through opening six playoff games and is a counted on contributor for a strong TPS squad. Palmu has another season on his deal and will likely play it out before crossing the pond and joining the Utica Comets of the AHL. Cam Robinson

January 2018 – Palmu has continued to be successful as a rookie in the SM Liiga. The bullish forward leads all first-year players in points with 11 goals and 23 points in 39 contests and has played well throughout the lineup – seeing time on the special teams’ units and creating at five on five. While just 5’7, Palmu owns terrific strength and a low-centre of gravity which makes him a tough out to knock off the puck. He’ll continue to use that skill in Finland for another season before likely crossing over after the 2018-19 campaign to join the Utica Comets of the AHL. Cam Robinson

November 2017 – The vertically-challenged Fin has found immediate success in the Liiga this season. The 20-year-old winger has recorded seven goals and 14 points in 24 contests for TPS Turku while seeing nearly 16 minutes a game. He has displayed his dynamic edgework and bulldozer mindset against the professional competition and appears to be trending in the right direction to cross over to North America at the conclusion of the 2018-19 campaign to start climbing the Canucks’ depth chart. His size will forever be a talking point, but he’s as good a bet as any to shake that stigma and push for an NHL career. Cam Robinson

September 2017 – After suffering an early season knee injury that cost him two weeks of action, Palmu is healthy and playing well in his Liiga rookie season. The diminutive forward has had his full array of offensive abilities on display for TPS during early season action, recording two goals and four points through five contests. It’s a great start for the 20-year-old as he’ll look to marinate overseas for two seasons before crossing back over and trying his hand at the North American pro game. Cam Robinson

June 2017 – The Vancouver Canucks took a flyer on the diminutive winger after his draft-plus two season. Palmu was a member of a potent Owen Sound Attack squad that featured Nick Suzuki and fellow Canucks’ draftee Jonah Gadjovich. Palmu recorded 40 goals and 98 points through 62 regular season contests and another 21 points in 17 playoff games. He was unable to find the scoresheet at the WJC U20 tournament, but his entire Finnish team struggled to produce. The shortest draft-eligible player in this crop, Palmu owns fantastic puck skills, great awareness and distributing ability and loves to shoot the puck. He is a creative, elusive and shifty player who possesses all the attributes of a productive player – minus the size. He’ll need some work, and is a bit of a longshot, but in the right position, Palmu could become a home run pick. Cam Robinson