TSN (Frank Seravalli) article on the emergence of Troy Stecher and whether the Canucks make a mistake taking Juolevi instead of Tkachuk.
The Canucks drafted Olli Juolevi from the OHL’s London Knights with the fifth-overall pick — the first defenceman selected by Vancouver in the first round since 2005 — and passed on a top-ranked forward in Matthew Tkachuk.
Tkachuk, 18, was next off the board to the Calgary Flames with the sixth pick. He was ranked as the fifth overall prospect on TSN director of scouting Craig Button’s final draft board.
Tkachuk has six goals and six assists in 24 games for the Flames while also providing the sandpaper many would say the Canucks are missing. Tkachuk’s 12 points are more than $36-million free agent signee Loui Eriksson has contributed so far to Vancouver’s 28th-ranked offence.
Linden believes that comparison is low-hanging fruit.
“I think it’s easy to make that comparison today because it’s right in front of you,” Linden said. “We’re really thrilled with Olli. I think we’re going to get a top pairing-type defenceman and they are worth their weight in gold.”
http://www.tsn.ca/talent/far-too-ear...plans-1.625106