Canucks prospect Lukas Jasek isn’t waiting to see if he gets a qualifying offer from Vancouver next month to decide his playing future. Instead, Pelicans of the SM-liiga announced that they’ve signed the forward to a one-year contract for next season.
The 23-year-old was a sixth-round pick of the Canucks back in 2015 (174th overall) but opted to play at home in the Czech Republic for three more seasons before coming to North America. While he hasn’t seen any NHL action yet, he very quietly tied for the team lead in scoring with AHL Utica this season with four goals and 19 assists in just 28 games, notching nearly as many points as he had the year before in half the games.
Between that performance and Jasek already signing overseas, it would make sense for Vancouver to tender him his qualifying offer to retain his RFA rights (which last until he reaches UFA eligibility when he turns 27). In their release, the Finnish team indicated that they intend to play Jasek at center after he has spent a good chunk of his career on the wing so in a year or two from now, he could be worthy of another opportunity in North America.
Vancouver should tender him. Talented and fun to watch
Smart move by Jasek. He should’ve been called up last year, but the Canucks love filling their bottom two lines with 29-34 year old fringe journeymen.