Braeden Cootes - Abbotsford Canucks

The Vancouver Canucks are rebuilding, and it might take a year or two before they turn things around. If they want a successful rebuild, they should work around the timeline of their future star players, which means staying patient with Braeden Cootes and waiting for Caleb Malhotra to join the NHL team.

Cootes showed flashes in the Western Hockey League in recent seasons and could be a future building block for the Canucks. While he’ll get plenty of ice time on a rebuilding team, it’s better for his development to stay in Abbotsford for next season.

Every team wants its top prospects to make an immediate impact on their NHL rosters. However, some need more time to develop, and the American Hockey League is the top league to do just that.

thehockeynews.com10 Prospects Who Should Spend Most Of 2026-27 In The American Hockey LeagueEvery team wants its top prospects to make an immediate impact on their NHL rosters. However, some need more time to develop, and the American Hockey League is the top league to do just that.

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