Canucks Braeden Cootes Is Giving Fans Something to Wait For

The Vancouver Canucks need good news wherever they can find it these days. With a rebuilding team, that often means looking beyond the NHL roster and paying attention to young players who might eventually help turn things around.

Braeden Cootes is becoming one of those players worth watching. The 19-year-old forward had a goal and two assists in Abbotsford's 4-3 win over Colorado on Saturday. He's now got two goals and two assists in his first four AHL games. That's an encouraging start, and it gives Canucks fans another reason to pay attention to the organization's future.

Cootes’ Adjustment to Pro Hockey Is Worth Watching.

Cootes has taken to the AHL quickly, and that's encouraging. Moving into professional hockey isn't easy. Players are older, stronger, and more experienced, with less time and space to make decisions. So far, he seems to be finding his way. Four points in four games doesn't mean he's ready to take over an NHL lineup, but it suggests he's making the most of the opportunity.

A change to the AHL-CHL agreement now allows certain 19-year-old first-round picks to play in the AHL. That gives a player like Cootes a chance to develop against professional competition instead of waiting another season in junior hockey. For a young player, that can be a valuable step. He gets to learn the professional game, work with the development staff, and discover what he needs to improve before making the jump to the NHL.

The Canucks Fans Are Wise to Be Patient.

It's tempting to look at a start like this and wonder how soon Cootes might get called up. If he keeps producing, the conversation will only get louder. But I think Vancouver needs to resist the temptation to rush things. The Canucks are rebuilding, and that means development has to matter more than finding a quick fix for the NHL roster.

Cootes needs time to get stronger, become more consistent, and learn what it takes to succeed against professional players night after night. If he earns an NHL opportunity down the road, it should be because he's ready to contribute, not simply because the big club needs a spark.

Cootes’ Growth Is an Encouraging Aspect of the Canucks’ Plan.

That's the encouraging part of this story. Vancouver has a young forward making an early impression and getting the chance to develop at the right level.

One good weekend doesn't make a prospect, and four games don't tell the whole story. But Cootes is giving the Canucks something to feel good about. For a rebuilding organization, watching a young player take a meaningful step forward is exactly the sort of progress worth celebrating.