Mar 29, 2025; Toledo, OH, USA; Boston University defenseman Tom Willander (5) skates with the puck in overtime against the Cornell at Huntington Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

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Canucks, Prospect Tom Willander Still Locked in Contract Dispute

Vancouver Canucks and 2023 first-round pick Tom Willander continue to negotiate amid ongoing contract disagreements.

Mar 29, 2025; Toledo, OH, USA; Boston University defenseman Tom Willander (5) skates with the puck in overtime against the Cornell at Huntington Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Vancouver Canucks prospect Tom Willander finds himself stuck in a tough spot as contract talks with the team continue to drag on. The 20-year-old defenseman from Stockholm, Sweden, was a first-round pick (11th overall) by Vancouver in the 2023 NHL Draft. After spending the last two seasons at Boston University, Willander has built a strong reputation as one of hockey’s top young two-way defenders, known for his impressive skating and high hockey IQ. This past season, he put up 21 points (2 goals, 19 assists) with a +16 rating across 33 games. Overall, he’s tallied 51 points and a +47 rating during his college career.

Canucks prospect Tom Willander speaks about contract stalemate https://t.co/9cutAAXg62
— CanucksArmy (@CanucksArmy) April 26, 2025

Despite his growth, Willander and the Canucks are at odds over the terms of his entry-level contract, specifically the bonuses, which are said to total around $200,000. Willander shared that he isn’t asking for anything beyond the standard bonuses, and there’s no demand to guarantee him a spot in the NHL roster right away.

Meanwhile, the negotiations have also impacted Willander’s international plans. Earlier, Vancouver asked him to hold off on joining Sweden’s national team. But as talks stalled, Willander eventually decided to join Sweden, aiming to represent his country at the 2025 IIHF World Championships.

Adding to the confusion, there has been some miscommunication about where Willander will play next season. While Canucks officials recently said he would return to Boston University, Willander himself feels he’s outgrown college hockey and is ready for a new challenge.

Through all the uncertainty, Willander remains positive. He says he still dreams of playing for the Canucks and has nothing but good things to say about the people he’s met within the organization. Now, it’s just a matter of whether the two sides can finally find some common ground and get a deal done.

Image Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

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Tom Willander

Vancouver Canucks

Anamika Shrivastava

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