Canadian teams may have been shut out of the NHL postseason, but there is still a plethora of young Canadian talent looking to steal the spotlight as they chase a Stanley Cup, with the eyes of the entire hockey world upon them.
Here's a trio of young Canucks - under 25 - worth watching this spring:
Aaron Ekblad, Florida Panthers
After being selected first overall in 2014, Ekblad needed to wait just two seasons before making his playoff debut, and the 20-year-old heads into a series against the New York Islanders in incredible form.
| GP | G | A | P | +/- | CF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 78 | 15 | 21 | 36 | 18 | 50.7 |
The defenseman has seven points and a plus-5 rating in his last six games as his ice time continues to increase, playing at least 21 minutes in all but one game since March 1.
Paired with 36-year-old Brian Campbell and surrounded by veterans with a wealth of playoff experience including Roberto Luongo and Jaromir Jagr, Ekblad won't be looked upon to carry his team, but the Calder winner could make a huge statement with an impressive playoff run.
Ryan Johansen, Nashville Predators
The Predators long coveted a No. 1 center, and believed they finally found their man after dealing Seth Jones to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Johansen. The 23-year-old will now have to prove that he can be the difference for a team who has won just two of ten postseason series all-time.
| GP | G | A | P | +/- | CF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80 | 14 | 46 | 60 | 6 | 50.8 |
While he failed to score at the 30-goal pace set in his past two seasons, Johansen has emerged as a key playmaker for the Predators, posting a career-high 46 assists this season while seeing power play time beside 30-goal scorers James Neal and Filip Forsberg.
Nashville faces a tough test in the Anaheim Ducks, but the Predators did manage to take two of three regular-season meetings - all before the Johansen trade. If the young forward can find his scoring touch early, a first-round upset may not be unrealistic.
Jonathan Drouin, Tampa Bay Lightning
One of the biggest storylines of the NHL season is now continuing into the playoffs as Drouin has been thrust into a top-six role in the absence of captain Steven Stamkos - who is dealing with a blood clot.
| GP | G | A | P | +/- | CF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 1 | 50.7 |
The 21-year-old was recalled in the midst of a five-game goal-scoring streak with the AHL's Syracuse Crunch, and he continued his productive run with goals in both of his games with Tampa Bay since being brought up April 7.
Last year, Drouin went pointless in six games during the Lightning's Stanley Cup Finals run, but if his recent offensive output is any indication of how he'll play in the playoffs, Steve Yzerman's decision to keep the winger at the deadline - and give him a second chance - might just save their season.
