The Vancouver Canucks have inked a very interesting prospect, signing Petrus Palmu to a three-year entry-level contract. Palmu played last season in Finland, where he was named the Rookie of the Year after scoring 36 points.
Palmu was selected in the sixth round last season by the Canucks, after going undrafted in his first two years of eligibility. That wasn’t because of a lack of production, as the Finnish forward had played well at every level including scoring 22 goals as an OHL rookie in 2014-15. Last season he put up 53 goals and 119 points for the Owen Sound Attack in just 79 games, but there was still something holding him back from being seen as a legitimate NHL prospect.
The problem that many scouts had with him is that Palmu stands just 5’6″ 172-lbs. As always with undersized prospects, it’s hard to project that they’ll be able to battle and succeed at the highest level. That still might be true with the newest Vancouver Canucks forward, but he certainly doesn’t play like it. The speedy winger will engage in board battles and go to the front of the net like any other player, and continues to show a knack for scoring different types of goals. He finished second on his club team with 17 goals this season, and added another four in just 11 playoff contests.
It’s not clear if Palmu will come over right away to try and find a role for the AHL’s Utica Comets, but if he does it would be hard to underestimate him this time around. He’s done nothing but produce at every level, including now at the highest level in Finland. We likely won’t see him suiting up for the Canucks this season, but there’s no doubting he has a professional future.
The saviour