The Canucks have until June 1 to sign Karlsson to a contract.
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It’s been a remarkable season for Vancouver Canucks prospect Linus Karlsson.
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Playing his first season in the Swedish Hockey League, the country’s top professional league and one of the best leagues in the world outside of the NHL, the 22-year-old center was a sensation, picking up 46 points in 52 games for Skellefteå.
Now he’s been picked to play for his country, as the Swedish Hockey Federation included his name on the national team roster for the upcoming IIHF World Championships, which begin this weekend in Finland.
“I think it’s a great experience and good for him,” Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin said last week about Karlsson being in consideration for the national squad.
The Canucks have until June 1 to sign him to a contract for next season or else they’ll lose his rights. But hearing Allvin talk about the team’s expectations for Karlsson, it sounds like there’s a good chance he’ll be signed to a contract that would bring him at least to the AHL.
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“I think it’s always a transition period for European players coming over to North America. Different lifestyle, different rink size. I think Linus is excited. We’re excited to have him here. We’ll see where he is come training camp, but we’re excited to see him here in July,” Allvin said, indicating the team will be bringing him to Vancouver for this summer’s prospect development camp (July 10-15 at UBC) .
The Canucks acquired Karlsson from San Jose in a 2019 trade for Jonathan Dahlén.
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