Mario Bliznak

Bliznak once again spent most of his time with Manitoba of the AHL last year, appearing in just four games for the Canucks. The 24-year-old center did not receive a qualifying offer from the Canucks this summer and is expected to play overseas.

Bliznak re-signed with the Canucks this offseason and appears headed for another stint with Manitoba of the AHL. He’s a solid defensive forward, but doesn’t offer enough of an offensive punch to be considered more than a future fourth-line grinder on the big pond.

Bliznak spent the 2008-09 season with Manitoba of the AHL, his first full season in the minors. He scored seven goals and dished out nine assists in 64 games for the Moose. He's currently in training camp with the Canucks, but will once again spend the season in the minors. At 22, Bliznak still has plenty of developing to do. He's not a flashy player, but does a solid job on the defensive side of the ice. When he gets a chance with the Canucks, it'll likely be as a third or fourth liner.

Bliznak played for Vancouver of the WHL last season, totaling 19 goals and 32 assists. The 21-year-old could eventually blossom into a third or fourth liner, but he still needs a couple of years to blossom in the minors.