New info revealed in Vancouver Canucks negotiations with Tom Willander
The Vancouver Canucks are still struggling to sign top prospect Tom Willander to a new contract.
There was optimism Willander would turn professional with the Canucks this year after his NCAA season ended. However, negotiations have dragged on, and still no contract has been agreed upon or even looks close to being done.
Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin is in Dallas, Texas for the u-18 World Championship and while there, he met with Willander’s agent Tom Diamond.
“Still not hearing any progress, but at least the two sides are talking,” said CHEK’s Rick Dhaliwal on Donnie & Dhali.
The disagreement centers on the optional Schedule A bonuses, which can be included in Willander’s entry-level deal. These bonuses are given for reaching certain impressive milestones, such as 10 goals, 25 assists, or 40 points for defencemen.
The Canucks and Willander’s camp haven’t been able to agree on how many bonuses should be included. The team is trying to follow a set internal structure, while Willander wants more, although he is reportedly not asking for all of them.
“Apparently, the Willander side isn’t even asking for the max,” said Dhaliwal.
“We have a structure for draft picks,” explained Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford on Tuesday. “This isn’t just about Tom Willander, it’s about what goes forward.”
Willander is in Sweden playing for the national team in a World Championship tournament. There is plenty of time to sign a contract before next season, but he also always has the option to return to Boston University for a third season, although he’d be passing up on a large financial opportunity.
“He’s going to have a decision to make at some point,” continued Rutherford. “Whether he comes to camp and turns pro and makes a few million dollars over the next couple of years and burns one or two years of free agency towards being unrestricted, or goes back to college and starts two years from now. I mean, what I just laid out, it wouldn’t make any sense for a player to make that decision.”
Willander could also sign with a European club for next year if he can’t agree to a deal with the Canucks. This would enable him to turn professional and earn a salary.
Willander is one of the team’s best prospects, and his development is key for the franchise. His contract situation has become a lengthy saga for the team, which has been plagued by a run of dysfunctional affairs. While there’s still plenty of time to get Willander signed before next season, it’s not a good sign that the relationship between the player and the team has started this way.