Over the past several weeks, there have been plenty of college players signing entry-level contracts, some of which being top prospects. One of those was expected to be Canucks blueliner Tom Willander but that didn’t come to fruition before the regular season came to an end. In a recent appearance on Sportsnet 650 (video link), Rick Dhaliwal of CHEK and The Athletic reported that there have been long stretches without contact between the two sides and when they have tried to discuss a contract, those talks have gone nowhere.
Willander was the 11th overall pick back in 2023 after a solid year in Sweden’s junior system that saw him put up 25 points in 39 games and even make a pair of appearances at the SHL level. Since then, Willander has spent the last two seasons at Boston University, playing a key two-way role while notching 49 points in 77 games over that stretch. He also played a prominent role for Sweden at the World Juniors the last two years.
Accordingly, it was widely assumed that Willander would be deemed ready to sign and likely make his NHL debut late in the season or at least join Vancouver’s AHL affiliate in Abbotsford. Clearly, that hasn’t happened.
Dhaliwal reports that the holdup in discussions appears to be Schedule A bonuses, or rather, the lack of them. Entry-level players can have up to a maximum of $1MM in these, up $250K for four categories if a player receives the max. Dhaliwal feels they’ve come in with a number around 2022 first-rounder Jonathan Lekkerimaki ($475K) despite the fact that several players drafted after Willander have received higher A bonuses. Teams that operate close to the cap as Vancouver typically does will try to get the bonuses as low as possible to help from a cap management perspective so this isn’t a case where they’ll want to just give in to the ask.
In terms of base compensation, the maximum salary that Willander can receive is $950K and it’s reasonable to think that he’ll receive that if and when he puts pen to paper on a contract. As a result, that shouldn’t be an issue in discussions.
At this point, Willander has a few options for 2025-26. He and the Canucks could come to terms on a deal that begins next season, permitting him to join Abbotsford now for their playoff run. He could also remain at Boston University as he has two years of college eligibility remaining. Alternatively, he could plausibly return home and play full-time in the SHL which could be a better test for him from a development standpoint. Vancouver’s preference is surely to get him in their system but for that to happen, it appears they’ll have to up their bonus offer to get it done.
I don’t but it seems lately Vancouver’s management has had some challenges in negotiating with players in getting deals done as Brock Boeser being one of those examples. Maybe Vancouver’s management needs to approach negotiations a little differently, just sayin.
Eh, Boeser turned down 8×5, that is more than fair for him.
Dhaliwal just reports whatever the agents say, even the other sports media in Vancouver make fun of him for that. This bit about Willander is just negotiating in public.
You don’t think a scoring needing team like Utah would give Brock 7×7 deal?
@bigdaddyt — Maybe, but how would Boeser view playing in Utah versus somewhere else that might be more appealing to him?
Chicago should
BU, not BC
I don’t get this ploy from Canucks management. If he’s good enough, you gladly pay the bonuses. If he’s isn’t good enough, then it doesn’t matter.
There is no scenario where a team should play hardball with a 1st round pick they drafted
@Brian — @PortuCool is correct, as stated above, that should read BU, not BC.
Vancouver Media is garbage. Take this article with a grain of salt.
The Van media guys are still juiced up on the Miller vs Petey debate, Toccett’s future, and now they are spewing more nonsense.
i agree, sounds more like Tochett is staying and Quinn Hughes wanting him to stay i feel like the Team Option will forsure happen, as a Blackhawks fan i wouldve loved to have seen the Hawks take a swing for him
Van media has some merit to report how the season has gone there. You look at say…Calgary with how Conroy is conducting business, and then look at Canucks management. Night and day.
Media wouldn’t be reporting this kind of stuff if, say there was nothing to see here. Quite the contrary. Give your head a shake and realize the obvious. Your management sucks…once again.
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