After ranking the top 100 NHL prospects for 2015-16 and ranking each team by organizational depth, ESPN Insider Corey Pronman ranks the top 10 prospects for each NHL team. Here is his entry for the Vancouver Canucks. Extended write-ups on prospects ranked in the top 100 can be accessed here.
The Canucks' system has had some ebbs and flows, due to having six former first-round picks qualify as prospects -- some of whom have not been dominant of late -- as well as positive development from some lower-round players.
Jared McCann had a very productive season from a statistical standpoint. His skill isn't really high-end, although he'll show you flashes of dynamic creativity and he has a very good shot. McCann projects as a steady, middle-of-the-lineup player who chips in at both ends, being above average at a lot of things. However, he's not someone who will take over a game.
Blueliner Frank Corrado has been good in the AHL and has gotten a few cups of tea in the NHL but hasn't broken through yet. He's a very mobile defender with good, two-way hockey IQ. He isn't the bulkiest player, or a real dynamic puck handler, which has limited him from taking that next step.
Cole Cassels -- son of longtime NHLer Andrew Cassels -- was very impressive in his 19-year-old OHL season, being one of the better players in the league, with 81 points. I don't love his skating, but he's a very smart forward with good vision, patience and defensive IQ. He works hard in battles and has solid puck skills. If the offense doesn't translate to the pros, his defensive skills have a high probability of doing so.
Jordan Subban (little brother to Malcolm Subban and P.K. Subban) is a great offensive defenseman. His skating, skill and shot are all high-end, and he can dominate a power play. His defensive play has shown some improvements at the OHL level, but versus pros, one expects his 5-foot-9 frame will be exposed.
Brendan Gaunce's first AHL season was up and down, but at the best of times, he showed he can be a solid two-way forward. His vision is quality, he works hard to win pucks and he can kill off penalties. At other times, he went a while without making plays, leading to cuts in his ice time.
Guillaume Brisebois' hockey IQ is his best trait. His stick positioning, gap control and anticipation help him make stops, and he's a great penalty killer. Brisebois outlets the puck pretty well and has about average power-play skills. His hands aren't that great, but his vision helps him make plays.
An honorable mention goes out to Alexandre Grenier (11th). He impressed as a big winger with above-average skill almost every time I saw him in the AHL this past season. His skating also isn't too shabby for a 6-4 player. The main question for him is whether he will be strong enough as a two-way player in the NHL given that his raw talent isn't high-end. He's still a real prospect, though, as he enters his age-24 season.
Noteworthy prospect
There are times I've watched Nicklas Jensen, a 2011 first-round pick, when it seems like he's a real dangerous forward. He shows a lot of skill and creativity, and he really understands how to make the most of his great shot tool to get it off from different spots. Then for long stretches, he'll do very little, losing puck battles and being ineffective defensively. This is probably a make-or-break season for his NHL prospects.
2015-16 impact
Jake Virtanen (No. 6 overall pick in 2014) should be in the mix for an NHL job during the camp process, but I highly suspect he will spend one more season back in the WHL. Corrado will be in the mix, as well as netminder Jacob Markstrom, who is all but penciled in to the backup-goalie job this season after a very strong AHL season at age 25. Gaunce could be a candidate for some NHL games this season, especially if Jensen continues to underwhelm.