Canucks prospect Linus Karlsson selected by Sweden for Worlds
The Canucks have until June 1 to sign a contract with Karlsson.
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It’s been a fantastic season for Vancouver Canucks prospect Linus Karlsson.
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When he played his first season in the Swedish Hockey League, the country’s highest professional league and one of the best leagues in the world outside the NHL, the 22-year-old center was a sensation and picked up 46 points in 52 games for Skellefteå.
Now he has been selected to play for his country, as the Swedish Hockey Association has included his name on the national team list for the upcoming IIHF World Cup, which starts this weekend in Finland.
“I think it is a fantastic experience and good for him,” said Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin last week that Karlsson is considering for the national team.
The Canucks have until June 1 to sign him to a contract for next season, otherwise they will lose his rights. But hearing Allvin talk about the team’s expectations of Karlsson sounds like there is a good chance he will be signed to a contract that would take 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 lifestyles, different rink sizes. I think Linus is excited. We’re happy to have him here. We’ll see where he goes to training camp, but we are happy to see him here in July, ”said Allvin, indicating that the team will take 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 deal for Jonathan Dahlén.
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