The Canucks have had a singular focus for much of the day and that has been defense, signing Tyler Myers, Jordie Benn, and Oscar Fantenberg. However, the team has made some depth additions in other areas as well. Center Tyler Graovac has been signed to a one-year, two-way contract, as has goaltender Zane McIntyre. Both players spent all of last season in the AHL, but do have NHL experience.
Graovac, 26, is actually coming off an excellent season in the minor leagues, scoring 50 points in 65 games with the Stockton Heat. The seventh-round pick has carved out a nice professional career even if his NHL experience is limited, and should be a key player for the Utica Comets this season. In 62 NHL games he has just nine points meaning the Canucks shouldn’t be relying on him for any offense at that level, but a 6’5″ center with a minor-league scoring touch is never a bad thing to add to the organization.
McIntyre meanwhile will give the organization some more goaltending depth, though it’s not clear exactly how things will shake out at this point. The Canucks now have six goaltenders in the organization, including top prospect Michael DiPietro who will need ample playing time to continue his development. The 26-year old McIntyre played eight games for the Boston Bruins in 2016-17, but has spent the last two seasons entirely in the AHL. This past one wasn’t particularly good, though he still is an experienced hand that can help fill out the organizational chart.
Depth can never be bad
Hello, Utica! More guest players for you tonight!
Graovac will be a nice addition in Utica. The fans love a big guy who can score. I’m not a fan of signing McIntyre unless Bachman is going to Kalamazoo