Canucks prospect Tom Willander speaks about contract stalemate

In case you haven’t heard, the Vancouver Canucks haven’t been able to get top defence prospect Tom Willander signed to an entry-level contract.

Drafted with the 11th overall pick of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, Willander wrapped up his sophomore collegiate season with Boston University, and the expectation was that he’d sign his ELC with the Canucks.

But that didn’t happen.

Instead, Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin shared at his end of season media availability that Willander intends to go back to school next season.

As can always be expected in a market like Vancouver, plenty of rumours circulated as to why this was the case, but Willander himself says it’s coming down to the simple ask of putting standard Schedule A bonuses in his ELC. Recent reports suggest the Canucks are about $200,000 off of Willander’s ask.

Here is some of what Willander, who is currently trying to qualify for Team Sweden at the IIHF World Championship, had to say in an interview with Cam Robinson of Elite Prospects.

…He says he never asked for the Canucks to burn the first year of his entry-level deal or promise NHL playing time immediately.

“No. We didn’t ask for anything like that” Willander said, speaking via phone Friday afternoon.

And at the same time, Willander was honoring one of the Canucks requests, it’s why he didn’t join the national team until recently as contract negotiations dragged on with Vancouver.

“They asked us earlier in the season. The Canucks didn’t want us to play there,” Willander said.  “But then as time moved on, it became viable so we decided ‘okay, it could be fun to play games with really good players.’”

And what if Vancouver called today with a sufficient offer. Would he hop on a plane to Abbotsford to join their AHL playoff run, which may or may not end tonight in a first-round series.

“I haven’t even thought about it hypothetically because it’s not close to being a done deal.” Willander said.

Another rumour that made the rounds was that Willander was asking for guarantees that he wouldn’t have to play in the AHL, something he says is not true. At the end of the day, he sounds like a young player focused on worrying about the things he can control, and nothing more.

“It’s been good. I try to be objective with it all. It’s not bothering me too much. I like Vancouver. I like the guys that are around – the development team, as well as the guys on the team and in Abby… the draft picks I’ve met. I like all those guys”

You can read the full interview with Willander by clicking here!