Brian Burke evaluates European Canucks prospects in 2000

Originally published on EuroReport in 2000

By Lucas Aykroyd

Vancouver Canucks GM Brian Burke recently told EuroReport about his expectations for several of the team’s European prospects in 2000-01.

Jarkko Ruutu (LW, Finland): “He’s a very aggravating presence, like Esa Tikkanen was in his prime, only bigger and stronger. He likes to bang and he led the AHL in plus-minus among forwards, so he’s a very strong candidate to make the big club this year.”

Artem Chubarov (C, Russia): “I think Chubarov might have been the biggest surprise on our team last year. None of us expected him to make the big club, but he did and played for more than half the season. He has to pick up half a step on his skating and get a little bit stronger. He’s right in the mix as well.”

Rene Vydareny (D, Slovakia): “The biggest single thing he has to do is get stronger and heavier. He’s tall but he’s lean. I don’t think he’s strong enough right now to play defense in the National Hockey League or eliminate people with authority.”

Lubomir Vaic (C, Slovakia): “I’m not sure that Lubomir Vaic is a guy that I view as a long-term solution with our hockey club.”

Marcus Gustafsson (LW, Sweden): “That’s a guy we’ll just have to watch and see. No immediate plans on him.”