Canucks Brad Lambert Decision Goes Beyond His Potential
There is something tempting about a former first-round pick becoming available for nothing. Especially when you're rebuilding. A team near the bottom of the standings can afford to take a chance, and if the player finds his game, the payoff can be considerable.
That's the situation facing the Vancouver Canucks with Brad Lambert. The Winnipeg Jets have placed the 22-year-old forward on waivers, and Vancouver has the first opportunity to claim him. Lambert has talent, strong skating, and a track record of producing in the AHL. He also has a lot to prove.
So, should the Canucks take a chance?
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A Rebuild Doesn't Mean Collecting Every Available Prospect.
Lambert's history makes him an interesting possibility. He was once considered one of the more intriguing prospects in his draft class before Winnipeg selected him 30th overall in 2022. In his first full professional season in North America, he recorded 55 points in 64 AHL games. That's enough to make a team wonder whether there's still an NHL player waiting to emerge.
But the recent numbers tell a different story. Lambert has struggled to establish himself in Winnipeg, and his production has slipped at the AHL level, too. He's recorded just one assist in 11 NHL games this season.
The Canucks are rebuilding, but that doesn't mean every available young player deserves a place in the plan. There is a difference between finding an opportunity and creating a distraction.
Vancouver Has Young Players Who Need Their Own Opportunity.
This is where the decision gets more interesting. Vancouver already has young forwards trying to establish themselves, including Jonathan Lekkerimäki and Liam Ohgren. Both need opportunities to play, make mistakes, and learn what it takes to become regular NHL contributors.
Lambert would likely need a top-nine role to have a fair chance. Putting him on the fourth line and hoping for the best probably wouldn't accomplish much. But giving him that opportunity means someone else could lose ice time. That's not necessarily a reason to pass. Competition can be healthy, and nobody should be handed a job simply because of draft position. Still, the Canucks need to be careful about what they're asking their young players to compete for.
A Waiver Claim Isn't Completely Free.
A waiver claim doesn't cost a draft pick, but it isn't entirely free. It uses a roster spot, requires playing time, and creates another development decision for the organization.
The Canucks should be open to finding talent wherever they can. But a rebuild is also about giving the players already in the organization room to grow. Lambert might eventually become a useful NHL forward. Vancouver just needs to decide whether helping him get there is more important than continuing to invest in the young players it already has.