Bennett Schimek keeps making the same people say the same thing about him, and that's becoming impossible to ignore.
Scout Dave Hall flagged Schimek as one of his top targets out of the 2026 NCAA crop, and this weekend only reinforced it.
"He quickly eased his way into the Abby lineup and now showed off some stuff at this weekend's Prospect Showcase," Hall said.
That's not a small compliment. Sliding into a pro lineup without missing a beat says a lot about a player's readiness.
Hall didn't stop there either. "I said it last year, and I say it again: I won't be shocked to see him earn an NHL deal this year."
Schimek has been skating alongside fellow prospects Ilya Safonov and first-rounder Braeden Cootes during Vancouver's rookie tournament this month.
Abbotsford head coach Ryan Papaiounnou has already praised players in that same group for their compete level and physical play, and Schimek fits right into that identity.
Why Vancouver's rebuild makes this timing perfect
Vancouver finished dead last in the league standings this past season, and a rebuild that bad creates real opportunity for prospects who show up ready.
Schimek transitioning smoothly from NCAA hockey straight into a pro lineup is exactly the kind of projectable trait that gets an entry-level contract fast-tracked.
There's no NHL contract in place yet, and nothing here is official. But the buzz around Schimek isn't new, and it isn't fading either.
A scout repeating the same prediction two years in a row usually means something is actually building, not just hype from one good weekend.
Vancouver's front office will be watching closely as main training camp approaches, deciding whether Schimek's pro readiness translates against a higher level of competition.
If this prediction holds, Schimek could be signing an NHL deal before this season even gets fully underway. The tournament performance was just the latest reminder why that's on the table.
Will Bennett Schimek sign an NHL contract with the Canucks this year?
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