Canucks cash in on second round
With versatile Kole Lind and power forward Jonah Gadjovich, Vancouver gets skill it needs
Jim Benning had a pair of players slotted in the first round who weren’t selected Friday.
That only added more intrigue and urgency to what the Vancouver Canucks general manager was hoping to accomplish Saturday.
He had two second-round selections — No. 33 and the No. 55 compensatory pick for Columbus hiring John Tortorella — and hasn’t had a second-rounder since the latest goaltender of the future Thatcher Demko arrived in 2014.
The Canucks could have actually had three second-round picks had they showed Vegas their best poker face Friday.
The Golden Knights, who picked sixth, wanted Portland Winterhawks centre Cody Glass and the Canucks had slick Swedish playmaking centre Elias Peterrsson at top of their wish list at No. 5.
Vegas dangled a second-round pick to move up one spot to get Glass because they owned three second-rounders, but backed off when the buzz was that the Canucks were going to take Pettersson.
They could have got him sixth overall and had another second-rounder Saturday.
In a 2017 draft that lacked a generational player like centres Auston Matthews or Connor McDavid, the No. 33 selection was essentially a first-rounder and Benning was bent on taking a forward.
Selecting Kelowna Rockets centre/ winger Kole Lind 33rd overall was no surprise because his 30-goal, 70-point production, versatility and ability to excel in a premier program sold the Canucks on the Shaunavon, Sask., native.
And taking big Owen Sound Attack power winger Jonah Gadjovich addressed a need to add size and skill.
His 46 goals and 74 points from left wing proved that he does more than just talk about playing a heavy twoway game and can get to the net. It was a priority.
“Absolutely, we addressed some skill and scoring, and we’re always looking to do it. It’s the hardest thing to do,” said Judd Brackett, the Canucks’ director of amateur scouting. “It was important to address some needs for the future.
“Kole has good hockey sense and awareness and spatial recognition. He protect the puck well and has a good shot. And he can play in traffic because he’s a feisty player. Jonah is a high-character guy with a net presence and is good with rebounds around the net because he has a high motor.
“He’s going to keep coming with his skating and he knows it and we’ve talked about it. But he brings something we’re lacking in our depth.”
“But we really believe in him and we think he’s going to get there. We knew we could target some players today who were probably deserving of being first-round picks and we feel fortunate. We think we got good value.”
For Lind, his rise from a tiny town that produced well-decorated Olympian Hayley Wickenheiser made a lasting impact.
So did elite programs in Swift Current and Saskatoon and living up to expectations in Kelowna. Toss in skating on frozen slabs of ice in his frigid hometown and you can understand the motivation to pursue a dream.
“I lived right across the back road from my town’s outdoor rink, so I was literally basically out there every day,” said Lind.
“I would skate down the road, it was so cold. I would skate until supper, take a half-hour to eat, and I’d be back out there.
“I was always playing with the older kids and that strengthened me.”
So did crossing paths with Wickenheiser.
“I’ve talked to to her quite a few times and she has always helped me chase my dream,” said Lind.
Lind was ranked 23rd among North American skaters by the Central Scouting Bureau and TSN had him 54th, but the Canucks clearly saw how he could add to a franchise need for versatility and productivity. Lind was pushed to play in all situations in Kelowna and nothing was handed to him.
“It was a lot about earning ice time and hard work pays off,” added Lind. “It changed my game into more of a 200-foot game rather than just all offence. It helped me translate my game into the best pro I can be. I’m a capable guy who can do anything and play off wing or right wing play everything this year.
“I like watching Filip Forsberg and that’s a guy I’d like to be able to play like.”
As for Gadjovich, he will tell you that size matters. In a game that’s trending smaller and quicker, his 6-foot-2, 205-pound frame and presence were attractive to the Canucks. He was ranked 39th amount North American skates by the CSB and 48th by TSN.
The Canucks hope they will eventually have a power forward in Jake Virtanen and Brock Boeser can play wing with authority, but he’s not an imposing physical figure. Gadjovich is. “In today’s game you see a lot of speedy guys, but in order to win puck battles and be heavy on pucks you need size,” said Gadjovich.
“And that’s what I can bring. I improved all aspects of my game and I got more responsibility on the penalty kill and in the offensive zone.”
One thing the Canucks are lacking, or have yet to really develop, are wingers who can consistently come off the wall, get the net, stay there and finish.
“I’m a power forward and I’ve always admired David Backes,” said Gadjovich. “He’s heavy on pucks, has a great shot and shows great leadership and I’m trying to model my game after him.”