Patrik Allvin looking like a genius: Daniel Sprong showcases his talent and the steal that he is

PUBLICATION

Cooper Godin
September 26, 2024 (9:25)

SHARE THIS STORY

Daniel Sprong's goal on Wednesday night against Calgary highlights how good his contract could end up being for Patrik Allvin.

While it's still early in training camp, Canucks fans were treated to an unbelievable goal from Daniel Sprong, who the team signed as an unrestricted free agent back in the middle of July.

With 20 seconds left on the clock in the third period and the Canucks down by one goal, Sprong skated from his own blueline, cutting through the middle, making it past four Flames players on their blueline. Once Sprong broke in free past the Flames players, he brings the puck from his backhand to his forehand and beats Devin Cooley to tie the game up at 3-3, forcing overtime.

Sprong is coming off back-to-back seasons of 40+ points with 21 goals in 2022-23 and 18 goals last year as a member of the Detroit Red Wings. The 27-year-old is signed to a one-year contract at $975,000 and if he's able to give the Canucks 20 goals and 40 points, that could end up being one of the best value contracts in the National Hockey League.

On Thursday's edition of Halford and Brough, the pair discussed what Daniel Sprong can bring to this team and that how his contract could be one of the best in the NHL in terms of production and his salary.

"It's going to be interesting because, for those who aren't aware of the story and the narrative on Sprong, it's high-end talent, like some would just say an elite level shot, elite level finisher, creativity, the ability to do the things you saw last night, obviously no the well-rounded game. What's going to be interesting here is kind of what Tocchet was speaking about there, can we take the tools that he has and harness them in a good way, in a positive way. Now to me, that's code for can we put him in certain situations where he'll thrive and shadow him in the situations where he'll get caved in. It's the age old argument we've had since the moment they signed Sprong is that, can you do that and be a top-six player?" Halford said.

He later added, "Sprong is going to be a really interesting talking point for the remainder of the year because of these things. It looks like a shrewd management move, he's got high-end offensive talent and he's got some intrigue because no one can make sense of why he's bounced around as much as he's had, with the numbers he has put up. If this thing pans out, the Allvin and Rutherford duo, between that, if they can get Sprong contributing for the contract that he's on and Silovs contributing big time for the contract that he's on, they're going to have two of the better value contracts in the league."

One of the interesting situations to watch as we head deeper into training camp and towards opening night is - where will Daniel Sprong play to start the season. If Jonathan Lekkerimaki doesn't start the season in Vancouver, is there an opportunity for Sprong to be on a line with Elias Pettersson and Jake DeBrusk? It's certainly a possibility and a line we could see at some point during an upcoming preseason game.

The Canucks will be back in action tomorrow against the Seattle Kraken and then again on Saturday night against the Calgary Flames. It's safe to say that we'll see Daniel Sprong for at least one of those games, but it's unclear at this time which one he'll be suiting up for.