NHL: Vancouver Canucks at Montreal Canadiens — Looking at the top five Vancouver Canucks prospects to watch out for in the 2024 NHL season (Image credit: Imagn)

Top 5 Vancouver Canucks prospects to watch out for in 2024 NHL season ft. Anthony Romani

Modified Jul 09, 2024 15:57 GMT

The Vancouver Canucks may not have made a selection in the 2024 NHL draft until the third round, however, the team has a pretty strong prospect pool. Ahead of the 2024 NHL season, the team's prospect pool is filled with a wide range of talent.

From players who have gotten their feet wet and found their rhythm in the OHL to young prospects eager to make the jump from juniors to the pros, the Canucks' prospect pool is promising. After falling to the Edmonton Oilers in the second round, the team has their sights set on making a deep playoff push this year.

The future looks bright in Vancouver given its prospect pool. With that in mind, let's take a look at their top five prospects to watch out for this upcoming season.

Top five Vancouver Canucks prospects to watch out for during the 2024 NHL season

#5: Linus Karlsson (C/RW)

Linus Karlsson is a name many NHL fans are likely familiar with. Drafted with the No. 87 overall pick in the 2018 draft, Karlsson has been a staple of the Vancouver Canucks' prospect pool.

Last season, he briefly made his debut for the Canucks, playing in just four games before joining the team's AHL affiliate for 60 games. There, he managed to average one point per game, with 23 goals and 37 assists. At 24 years of age, expect Karlsson to make appearances for Vancouver next season.

#4: Arturs Silovs (G)

Arturs Silovs was drafted with the No. 156 overall pick by the Vancouver Canucks in 2019. Since then, he has appeared in nine NHL games, four of which were played last season. While he averaged an 88.1% save percentage with Vancouver in 2023-24, he posted a 90.7% save percentage with the Abbotsford Canucks.

Given his age and his development, Silovs is expected to get playing time in Vancouver during the 2024 NHL season, and should be one to keep an eye out for.

#3: Melvin Fernstrom (RW)

Melvin Fernstrom was the Vancouver Canucks' top pick in this year's NHL draft. The 18-year-old winger from Sweden may not have the flashiest of highlight reels, however, his vision and on-ice IQ seems to set him apart from most his age.

Last year, Fernstrom primarily played in Sweden's J20 national league, logging 63 points in just 45 games with 31 goals. While he needs time to develop, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about his development.

#2: Riley Patterson (C)

The Canucks selected Riley Patterson with the No. 125 pick in this year's NHL draft. At just 18 years old, Patterson is undoubtedly one to watch after finishing last season with 62 points in 68 games for the OHL's Barrie Colts.

The year before that, while playing with the OJHL's North York Rangers, Patterson logged 73 points in just 52 games with 30 goals and 43 assists. Given his age and the flashes of brilliance he's shown on offense, he's certainly worth watching out for this upcoming season.

#1: Anthony Romani (C/RW)

Anthony Romani is able to manipulate a defense unlike most players his age. With exceptional movement and playmaking, he's shown that he can carve up a defense while setting his teammates up for high-efficiency goals.

Last year, while playing for the OHL's North Bay Battalion, Romani logged a whopping 111 points in just 68 games, including 58 goals. Given his dominance and the fact that he leads the Vancouver Canucks' prospect pool for total points by nearly double that of second-place, he will certainly be one to watch.