Dahlen not up to task against NHLers
Young Swedish forward is assigned to AHL’s Utica Comets along with Palmu, Chatfield
Jonathan Dahlen and Petrus Palmu were training camp wild cards.
However, the intriguing forwards didn’t hold trump cards and were re-assigned to the Utica Comets on Sunday by the Vancouver Canucks along with defenceman Jalen Chatfield.
Dahlen’s domination of the Swedish second-tier Allsvenskan league — second in scoring with 44 points (23-21) in 44 games and 14 points in 10 payoff games to lead Timra IK to a championship title — was expected to be a foundation to start the NHL season here.
But Dahlen, 20, had only three shots in two games despite 13:15 and 11:45 of ice time in his outings, including some power play time. The rocket release that was evident in Sweden was absent from the 5-foot-11, 180-pound left winger.
“I like him a lot,” said Canucks coach Travis Green. “He’s a hungry young kid who wants badly to play in the NHL and I don’t think he takes it for granted. He understands he’s got to get a little stronger and training will be a big part of him making the next jump.
“We’re not surprised. It’s a new world for him over here. The learning curve is a lot less time to shoot and guys are a lot bigger, stronger and faster. It was an adjustment, but he’s a good young prospect.”
Palmu, 21, was rookie of the year with 36 points (17-19) in 59 regular season games with TPS Turku and six points (4-2) in 11 playoff games.
The 5-foot-6, 172-pound bowling-ball winger had a goal and an assist in the prospects camp Summer Showcase, but transferring consistency to the NHL was challenging. He had six shots in two games.
“It’s up to him to carve out a niche — what is he going to be?” Green said. “You have to bring something to the table and he has to use his strength on the smaller ice and make sure his engine is running hot all the time.”
Chatfield, 22, recorded one shot in two games.
“I like how he skates and reads the game for one year as a pro, a late developer out of junior,” said Green. “The golden question is, is he going to keep on the curve moving up or plateau?” OVERTIME: Winger Reid Boucher has also been assigned to Utica but must first clear waivers. Loui Eriksson returned to practice Sunday after being struck in front of the net by a Sam Gagner shot on his right knee Tuesday against Edmonton.