The Vancouver Canucks head into the 2024-25 season with a roster that has the potential to make some noise. While the team has a few young prospects eager to break into the NHL, one of the more intriguing additions is Daniel Sprong. Sprong is a bit of an enigma—a player who has shown flashes of brilliance but has yet to solidify his place as a consistent NHL contributor. Despite bouncing around several teams, Sprong’s offensive talent remains undeniable.
The big question is: Can he finally put it all together and become an asset for the Canucks this season?
Sprong’s career has been a tale of tantalizing potential coupled with inconsistency. Born in Amsterdam, Netherlands, on March 17, 1997, Sprong moved to Canada at a young age. His offensive talent caught the attention of scouts early on. Known for his elite shot and creativity, Sprong became a standout prospect during his junior days in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). However, his journey to establish himself as an NHL regular has been anything but straightforward.
Sprong’s offensive skill set was evident during his time with the Charlottetown Islanders in the QMJHL. As a 16-year-old in the 2013-14 season, he scored 30 goals and 68 points in 67 games. The following season, he improved even further. That season, he scored 39 goals and totaled 88 points in 68 games. His quick release and ability to finish plays made him a dangerous offensive player, drawing the attention of NHL scouts. However, concerns about his defensive play and overall game balance persisted throughout his junior career.
Despite these reservations, Sprong’s scoring abilities led to his selection by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round (46th overall) of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. His high-end shot and offensive instincts positioned him as a promising prospect for an NHL future. Sprong made his NHL debut in the same year, playing 18 games for the Penguins during the 2015-16 season. Although he netted two goals, his lack of a complete two-way game was apparent, and he was sent back to Charlottetown to hone his skills.
Over the next few seasons, Sprong’s career saw a mix of success in the American Hockey League and struggles to stick in the NHL. His time with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in 2017-18 was impressive. There, he posted 65 points in 65 games, including 32 goals. However, despite this success, translating his offensive prowess into a consistent NHL role proved difficult. Sprong’s defensive shortcomings often limited his opportunities at the highest level.
In 2018-19, Sprong spent time with the Anaheim Ducks, where he played 47 games and scored 14 goals. Despite showing glimpses of his scoring talent, his defensive play hindered his ability to secure a long-term spot in a top-six role. His career soon became one defined by movement between teams, as he bounced from the Ducks to the Washington Capitals and later to the expansion Seattle Kraken.
In Seattle, Sprong began to find more consistency. During the 2022-23 season, he posted his best NHL numbers, scoring 21 goals and 46 points in 66 games. His performance highlighted his scoring ability, but questions remained about his overall impact on the game beyond just putting pucks in the net. Sprong then moved to the Detroit Red Wings for the 2023-24 season, where he demonstrated his scoring potential, with 18 goals and 25 assists in 76 games. However, he still struggled to secure a permanent top-six role, with teams often opting for players with a more well-rounded game.
As the 2024-25 season approaches, Sprong finds himself with the Canucks, hoping to lock down a top-six spot finally. The Canucks signed Sprong to a low-risk deal, but the question remains whether he can take the next step in his career. His ability to score goals is undeniable, but his challenge has always been consistency and defensive responsibility.
Sprong's Offensive Talent Shines in Preseason
Sprong’s offensive talent has already made waves in Vancouver, particularly after his standout preseason goal against the Calgary Flames. Local analysts, including Halford and Brough, have praised his high-end shot and playmaking skills. The twosome marvelled at Sprong’s ability to finish plays precisely, calling it one of the most exciting moments of the preseason. However, the duo also pointed out that this performance came against a less experienced Calgary lineup, raising questions about whether Sprong can sustain this level of play against tougher NHL competition.
Can Sprong Find a Home with the Canucks?
During their show, Halford and Brough discussed the potential role Sprong could play for the Canucks. They noted that while head coach Rick Tocchet praised Sprong’s offensive tools, he also acknowledged the need to “harness” those abilities without sacrificing defensive stability. This suggests that Sprong could be deployed strategically, perhaps in offensive-zone starts or on the power play, where his scoring touch can be maximized without exposing his defensive weaknesses.
The analysts emphasized that securing a top-six role involves broader responsibilities than scoring goals. Sprong must show he can be defensively reliable and handle the pressure of playing against elite competition. If he can strike that balance, he could be a valuable asset for Vancouver.
Sprong's Journey to the NHL
Halford and Brough concluded that the 2024-25 season represents a pivotal moment in Sprong’s career. If he can solidify a top-six role with the Canucks, it would not only mark a turning point for him but also be a low-cost win for Vancouver’s management. Sprong’s offensive talents are apparent, but whether he can round out his game enough to earn consistent ice time is the question.
Ultimately, Sprong’s journey from Amsterdam to the NHL has been marked by promise and frustration. Now, with Vancouver, he has another chance to prove that he belongs in a more prominent role. Whether he can seize that opportunity will be one of the intriguing storylines this season.
Can Tocchet Make Sprong a Complete Player?
Perhaps the most interesting thing from my perspective is that getting Sprong had to be done with the blessing of head coach Rick Tocchet. Given what we know about the Canucks head coach, he has to feel that he’ll be able to bring Sprong’s defensive skills to the point where he’ll find a home on the team. Given what is known about Sprong, Canucks fans have to hope Tocchet has good luck with that quest.
If Daniel Sprong was flying under the radar with Vancouver Canucks fans, he wasn’t anymore. Sprong likely didn’t get the free agent payday he was hoping for this summer when he settled for a one-year contract worth $975,000. He was coming off a 43-point season (18-25-43) with the Detroit Red Wings and had 46 points (21-25-46) in 66 games with the Seattle Kraken in 2022-23.
The knock on the 27-year-old is his defensive play, which still needs improving.
But his skill? Well, that was on display Wednesday night in Abbotsford after he scored the most impressive goal of the preseason.
Teammate Jake DeBrusk was impressed. “Just a great individual effort. He’s got hands, speed, and that lethal shot everyone talks about, but there he kind of used them all,” said DeBrusk, who had two goals in the game. “It was a cool goal to see; you don’t really see highlight goals sometimes in preseason.”
Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet hasn’t solidified his lines yet and it seems unlikely that any of the four trios he rolled out on Wednesday will be seen in the regular season. Case in point, Sprong played on a line with Aatu Räty and Arshdeep Bains, two forwards likely to start the season in Abbotsford.
It’ll be interesting to see where Sprong slots in for opening night because his stat-line suggests he can be a top-six forward. Perhaps he’ll be a fit with on the right wing with Elias Pettersson and Jake DeBrusk. To do that, he’ll likely have to prove to Tocchet that his two-way game is up to par. Judging by Tocchet’s post-game comments, that’s still a work in progress. “He’s got that knack to do that sort of stuff. He can skate,” Tocchet said of Sprong’s preseason heroics. “We can work with him to really make him complete, but yeah that was a hell of a goal. We know he can do that.”
If Sprong doesn’t fit with Pettersson and DeBrusk, Tocchet may consider an offensive-minded third line that can capitalize on soft minutes. Pius Suter could be a good fit at centre for that kind of role, and there are a number of left winger options, depending on how the other lines shake out, though Conor Garland, Danton Heinen, and Nils Höglander come to mind.
Certainly, Tocchet has options.
