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Sometimes at the NHL Draft, teams pick “project” players that could be years away from making an impact.
Based on the recent activity with Canucks prospect Danila Klimovich, the club certainly doesn’t feel like he’s years away from making an impact.
On the opening of free agency, the Canucks got some extra business done by signing their de-facto top prospect to a three-year entry level deal.
Canucks have signed draft pick Danila Klimovich.
— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) July 28, 2021
He took a little less in 1st year to help give him a chance to fit under the cap
He will be at Canucks training camp
Confirmation on Danny Klimovich if he plays 9 or less NHL games, his ELC slides a year. He can play as many AHL games as he wants this year.
— Faber (@ChrisFaber39) July 28, 2021
This signing gives the Canucks control and flexibility on what to do with the kid.
Key word is control, the Canucks choose where he goes.
The 41st overall pick in this year’s draft spent most of last season in Belarus’s junior league, where he posted 28 goals and 52 points in 37 games.
Whoop-de-doo, what does it all mean?
Not much...but where Klimovich really made an impact was at the World U18’s. He had six goals in five games — including a hat trick against Switzerland — while showcasing a wrecking ball mentality.
According to his agent, Klimovich is coming to camp to make the Canucks.
Spoke with Danila Klimovich’s camp, “Danny is excited about signing with the Vancouver Canucks. He is 100% coming to training camp in the fall and is coming to compete for a roster spot.”
— Faber (@ChrisFaber39) July 28, 2021
Danny is coming in HOT!
While this is obviously a humongous long-shot, a successful season for Klimovich would be showing some flashes and promise down at the AHL for the Abbotsford Canucks. For an 18-year-old to make an impact in the minors is remarkable enough on its own, never mind playing in the NHL.
Klimovich has a reputation for being a bit of a hothead, and he already has NHL-size, coming in at 6’2”, 202 pounds. That bodes well for him, but it’s going to be a massive step for him to even make the AHL next season.
If he were to be reassigned to junior, the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies own his junior rights.