Canucks: Aiden McDonough goes from good story to no qualifying offer

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It almost seemed too good to be true.

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Aidan McDonough was a 2019 seventh-round NHL Draft selection by the Vancouver Canucks because there was curiosity about how he could develop in the NCAA level at Northeastern University with a first-rate attitude.

He would log a pair of 20-goal seasons and become captain and a Hobey Baker Award finalist as the top Division 1 player. He would slowly adapt to the pro game by scoring his first NHL goal during a six-game cameo at end of the 2022-23 season.

And he would add 19 points (11-8) in 58 rookie games in Abbotsford this season to continue the trek.

However, all that development came to a halt Sunday. He wasn’t tendered a qualifying offer and becomes an unrestricted free agent.

At age 24, the Canucks had to determine whether they were sold on his trajectory to become an NHL player. They thought not. McDonough is designated a 10.29 (c) player because he hasn’t accumulated two full professional seasons after signing a two-year entry contract in March of 2023.

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At the time, Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin was buoyed by the potential of the 6-foot-2, 205 pound left winger. There was work to do with foot speed and grasping the demanding defensive side of the pro game. And, of course, Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet likes big guys who can be hard to play against and work the walls.

“He has steadily grown into a leadership role with Northeastern throughout his time there and our development team is looking forward to working with him as he starts his pro hockey career,” said Allvin.

The Canucks also didn’t qualify defenceman Filip Johansson, 24, who had 18 points (5-13) in 55 AHL rookie games this season. And they passed on blueliner Nick Cicek, 24, who had 14 points (3-11) in 49 games with Abbotsford after being acquired from San Jose’s AHL affiliate in the Jack Studnicka swap.

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The Canucks obviously qualified restricted free agent goaltender Arturs Silovs, 23, after his stellar season that included a dramatic playoff run. It was highlighted by his first NHL shutout in Game 6 to clinch a first-round series win over the Nashville Predators.

And with unrestricted free agent goalie Casey DeSmith expected to go to the open market Monday, it’s a no-brainer to get to work on a Silovs extension to back up Thatcher Demko next season.

The lanky Latvian went 3-0-1 with the Canucks during the regular season with a 2.47 goals-against average and in the post-season, he was 5-5-0 with a 2.91 GAA.

bkuzma@postmedia.com

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