Vancouver Canucks Contract Saga With Top Prospect Tom Willander Takes Yet Another Wild Turn

Over the last several weeks reports have come out revealing that contract talks between the Vancouver Canucks and Tom Willander have not gone according to plan.

Many expected Willander to sign with the Vancouver Canucks at the end of his season with Boston University.

Instead, after the Terriers' loss in the Frozen Four, Willander returned to Boston University to finish his semester and take his final exams.

While this is not entirely unheard of it is unusual for a player of Willander's caliber to give such importance to their schooling over making their NHL Debut.

Regardless, many around the NHL assumed it was just a matter of time before Willander would sign and join the Abbotsford Canucks for the Calder Cup Playoff run in the AHL.

However, a new report this evening has confirmed that it is unlikely Willander will join the Canucks organization this season as he has returned to Sweden.

According to Cam Robinson of Elite Prospects, who has been following this situation, Willander has returned to Sweden to prepare for the IIHF World Championships.

Willander has been invited and accepted Sweden's invite to represent his country on the international stage and has turned his focus to that challenge.

This move by Willander is yet another shocking and discouraging move for his future with the Vancouver Canucks as Patrik Allvin and the front office continue to fail to secure the services of their top prospect.

According to sources, this move does not have an overall impact on Willander's chances of signing with the Canucks but is at least a strange and concerning development considering the Canucks have not addressed the situation as there still seems to be a disagreement in negotiations.

The situation between Willander and the Canucks will continue to evolve over the coming months and as it does we will pass along the latest news and updates.