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Willander says he’s not close to signing contract with Vancouver Canucks: report

Colton Pankiw
Colton Pankiw
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Apr 26 2025, 7:52 pm
Willander says he’s not close to signing contract with Vancouver Canucks: report
Fia McCarty/Boston University

The Vancouver Canucks and prospect Tom Willander continue to have a gap in their contract discussions.

The 20-year-old defenceman, who the Canucks selected 11th overall in the 2023 NHL Draft, was expected to sign with the organization following his sophomore season with Boston College. The expectation was that he would join the Canucks for their final two games of the 2024-25 campaign, but he remained unsigned by the time the season had concluded.

There remains an option for Willander to sign an amateur tryout contract to play with the Abbotsford Canucks in the AHL, but that too has yet to happen. Instead, he’s playing exhibition games with Sweden ahead of the IIHF World Championships.

Willander recently discussed the situation with Cam Robinson of Elite Prospects, admitting that contract bonuses, or a lackthereof, is the reason he has yet to sign his entry-level deal. While he is undoubtedly frustrated with the way things have played out, he doesn’t sound like a player hoping to move on from the organization.

“It’s not bothering me too much,” Willander said. “I like Vancouver. I like the guys that are around.”

There remains a possibility for Willander to return to Boston College for a third year in 2025-26, though the blueliner, who recorded 24 points in 39 games this season, made it clear to Robinson that he believes he’s outgrown the college level.

By all accounts, he believes he’s ready to make the jump to pro, though whether or not that happens will depend on whether a deal can be worked out. Willander told Robinson, however, that the two sides aren’t close at this point in time.

This whole situation adds to what was a very tumultous 2024-25 season for the Canucks, who seemingly had drama behind the scenes from start to finish. This is just the latest headache for an organization who has had a quick fall from grace after an incredible 2023-24 campaign.

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