Linden Vey

Vey signed a one-year contract with the Canucks in the offseason after being traded to Vancouver from the Kings in late June. The 23-year-old spent most of last season with AHL Manchester, registering 48 points (14 goals) in 43 games. He also appeared in 18 games for the Kings last season, netting five assists, while averaging 12:08 of ice time. Vey, who led the WHL in goals in 2010-2011, didn’t get many opportunities with a very deep Kings team last season. But he has a real chance to center Vancouver’s third line this upcoming campaign. Coach Willie Desjardins noted that Vey is yet another young player who will have to prove his keep before making the squad, so don’t pencil him in quite yet. But we're keeping one eye on him in camp, just in case.

Vey took another step forward in his second season in the AHL, registering 67 points (22 goals, 45 assists) in 74 games. He certainly benefitted from playing on the same line as hot shot Tyler Toffoli, but he's been a steady riser in the Kings' system the last few seasons, so it wasn't just due to playing alongside Toffoli. He'll head back to the AHL to build off of last year's gains.

Vey had a promising debut (19 goals and 24 assists in 74 games) in the AHL last year after leading the WHL in goals in 2010-11. He has room to add some muscle to his frame (5-11, 176) and could play his way into a mid-season callup. He's not an elite offensive prospect like Tyler Toffoli, but figures to be a solid producer at the NHL level.

Vey led the WHL in scoring with 116 points in just 69 games and was a dominant force in Medicine Hat's playoff run. He doesn't have anything left to prove in the WHL and figures to get his feet wet with Manchester in the AHL. He'll have to earn his spot on the Monarchs so don't be alarmed if he starts the season slowly.