A number of players stood out during the Vancouver Canucks 2024 Pre-Season, including Arshdeep Bains and Artūrs Šilovs.
The Vancouver Canucks 2024 pre-season has officially come to a close. In their six games, Vancouver posted a 3-2-1 record, with all three wins coming on home ice. Overall, it was a good few weeks as the Canucks showed that they can be strong in their own zone as well as on the penalty kill. During the pre-season, there were also quite a few standouts, including these five players who impressed over the past few weeks.
Aatu Räty
Aatu Räty stood out for numerous reasons, including his ability to win faceoffs both on the left side and the right. According to Natural Stat Trick, the 21-year-old center went 35 for 65 in the faceoff dot and was one of two players to have a win percentage over 50% who took at least ten draws. With the team lacking right-shot centers, Räty's ability to take draws right-handed and win them consistently may be what pushes him over the edge and into the opening night roster.
Arshdeep Bains
Another prospect who impressed was winger Arshdeep Bains. In four games, Bains finished with two goals and three points while also recording seven shots on goal. His skating, as well as his ability to hold onto pucks, has also seen significant improvements since last season, which are all areas that Rick Tocchet wanted him to improve on. Even if Bains doesn't make the opening night lineup, he has done enough to warrant the first call-up when injuries hit.
Artūrs Šilovs
Throughout Training Camp and the pre-season, Artūrs Šilovs has been Vancouver's best goaltender. He has shown he is ready to be the team's starter in Thatcher Demko's absence, as over his three pre-season games, he went 2-1 with a .917 save percentage and a goals-against average of 2.26. While pre-season success does not always translate to the regular season, Canucks fans should feel confident with Šilovs in net to start the year.
Latest From THN's Vancouver Canucks Site:
Kiefer Sherwood
One of the new signings who made a strong impression was winger Kiefer Sherwood. He played a key role on the penalty kill and was a physical force on the forecheck. Based on the last few weeks, Sherwood should have a significant impact not just on the bottom six this season but could play a role in the top six during the year.
Mark Friedman
Arguably, the most impressive defenceman throughout the pre-season was Mark Friedman. In four games, he had one assist and drew multiple penalties, sending Vancouver to the power play. Without a doubt, Friedman showed that he can be a reliable depth option on the blue line as he enter the season as the Canucks eighth defenceman.
