NHL insider Rick Dhaliwal gave us an update on the ongoing contract negotiations between the Canucks and top prospect Tom Willander today. The Vancouver Canucks have had plenty of drama this season and now it seems to be following them into the offseason. Recent reports have come forward <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/vancouver-canucks/canucks-insider-casts-a-shadow-of-doubt-over-the-possibility-of-the-team-signing-top-prospect-tom-willander' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>revealing the team is having difficulty signing top prospect Tom Willander. </a> As such, the team is once again mired in rumors. Today, Canucks insider Rick Dhaliwal gave us another update in the situation with Willander. He revealed that the club and player are primarily negotiating performance bonuses, with the Canucks intending to give him the same deal Jonathan Lekkerimaki got two seasons ago. Knowing his representative, they will likely do what they feel is best for his career long-term in earning power. What does the actual contract look like? It could come down to a battle over the scheduled performance bonuses. Canucks may be trying to sign Willander to the same performance bonuses that Jonathan Lekkerimäki got two years ago. Keep that one in mind. Dhaliwal added that Willander has exceeded expectations this year with his play in the NCAA, giving him leverage in negotiations. The 20-year-old has 2 goals and 23 points in 37 games this season, following a 25-point freshman season. Willander has certainly met or exceeded his draft position with his stellar play. Maybe the bonuses he feels should be higher. Do you burn a year of the contract? Do you play the rest of the year in Abbotsford? Going back to school, I've been told, for a third season is now an option as well. There are a lot of things in play. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/DonnieandDhali/status/1907121879028289678'><div style='border:1px solid #CCCCCC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;width:300px;'>Loading from Twitter ...</div></a></blockquote></div> Fellow insider Cam Robinson provided his own update in an article for Elite Prospects that was published today as well. He confirmed that the defenseman going back to Boston College is a possibility, but noted that the option remains less likely than him going pro. Ultimately, it seems both parties are inclined to reach an agreement. However, Willander previously declined a standard rookie contract with Rögle of the SHL in 2023- instead charting a pioneer-like path from the Swedish junior league to the NCAA-a choice that benefited him but was less favourable for Rögle. Furthermore, education holds significant importance for him and his family, making a return to school for his junior year a possibility, though it remains unlikely. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/eliteprospects/status/1907536185611923609'><div style='border:1px solid #CCCCCC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;width:300px;'>Loading from Twitter ...</div></a></blockquote></div> We will just have to wait and see how this drama finishes but it seems like a conclusion may be close, so stay tuned for more updates from the team in the coming days.