Insider Reveals How Much Money is Separating Vancouver Canucks & Top Prospect Tom Willander
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An NHL insider has shared how much money is separating the Vancouver Canucks and their top prospect Tom Willander as talks continue regarding his entry-level contract.
When the Frozen Four concluded a little less than two weeks ago, many fans were expecting, and hoping for, a quick negotiation between the Vancouver Canucks and top prospect Tom Willander.
Well, the opposite has happened and now, Tom Willander has returned home to Sweden and suited up for the Swedish Men's National Team during Thursday's exhibition game against Finland.
Rick Dhaliwal gives update on negotiations with Tom Willander
During Friday's edition of Halford and Brough on Sportsnet 650 radio, insider Rick Dhaliwal gave an update on contract talks between the two sides.
Dhaliwal said that when he's talked with others around the NHL, they're surprised that the Vancouver Canucks are doing this with one of their first round picks and added that the gap between the two sides is only about $200,000 USD.
He went on to share that Willander hasn't made any demands either. He hasn't asked for guaranteed ice time in Abbotsford or full max bonuses in his entry-level contract.
"Most people you talk with around the league are surprised the Canucks are doing this with a first round pick. Funny this is, they're not super far apart. The two sides have dug in their heels though. Some day the gap is only $200,000. Cooler heads should prevail and get this kid apart of the Canucks. He wants to turn pro. He was willing to go to Abbotsford and he never, ever, ever asked for guaranteed ice time. He's not even asking for full max bonuses. This is a big piece of your blue line in the future. Get the kid signed." Dhaliwal said.
Dhaliwal later shared that if the situation happens to get worse in the coming weeks and Willander isn't signed, then he could end up being used as a trade chip and the main piece of a deal that would land the Vancouver Canucks a top-six forward they desperately need.
"But if it gets worse and worse and he doesn't sign, then you can bet he will be used as a primary piece to get a top-six forward this summer. You would think, the longer this goes, more likely he's back in college or maybe playing pro in Europe next year. I just, I don't get it. The gap isn't even big guys. It's not like they're 600,000, 700,000 or 800,000 apart. Both sides have just dug in their heels." Dhaliwal said.
He added, "I would love for the kid to be in Abbotsford right now, soaking up that playoff experience. Look, maybe he starts in Abbotsford next season, wouldn't it be great to go spend a week, two weeks, however long Abbotsford is in the playoffs for, with Manny Malhotra learning the system and all that stuff. But the kid should not be in Europe right now. He should not be with the Swedish national team. He should be with Vancouver, in Abbotsford, but here we are."
He added, "I would love for the kid to be in Abbotsford right now, soaking up that playoff experience. Look, maybe he starts in Abbotsford next season, wouldn't it be great to go spend a week, two weeks, however long Abbotsford is in the playoffs for, with Manny Malhotra learning the system and all that stuff. But the kid should not be in Europe right now. He should not be with the Swedish national team. He should be with Vancouver, in Abbotsford, but here we are."
Rick Dhaliwal is absolutely correct. The Vancouver Canucks need to get Tom Willander in Abbotsford for their playoff run, something that should've been done in the last couple of weeks.
Training with the Swedish national team and playing exhibition games with them isn't necessarily a bad thing though and there could even be a chance that he gets named to their final roster for the IIHF World Championship.
Playing against professional players at the IIHF World Championship would do wonders for Tom Willander's game and help him in a big way this fall, if he signs his entry-level contract with the Canucks, but at the end of the day, a deal should've been done by now and he should have been in Abbotsford ready for Game 1 of their playoff series earlier this week.
Source: Halford & Brough
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