Desjardins worried McCann could lose confidence in full season with Canucks

Jared McCann has certainly impressed in his first seven games with the Vancouver Canucks, and is currently tied for second among NHL rookies with four goals.

Despite the impressive start, McCann may not be a lock to stay with the club past the nine-game threshold as head coach Willie Desjardins expressed concern about keeping the 19-year-old with the club.

"The biggest worry is that down the road he gets worn down and the league gets hard for him and he loses his confidence," Desjardins told reporters. "He's too good of a player that we don't want him to lose his confidence and just feel that he's got to dump the puck.

"We want him to feel he can handle the puck and make plays."

McCann - as well as fellow rookie Jake Virtanen - would have the first year of his entry-level deal kick in if he plays 10 games. McCann has appeared in one more game than Virtanen so far this season - with both playing in limited minutes.

With the Canucks heading on a quick two-game road trip to face the Dallas Stars and Arizona Coyotes starting Thursday, decisions on the pair should come by the weekend.