Jack Rathbone is Going to be a Top-4 Staple in the Vancouver Canucks Lineup

It’s no secret the Vancouver Canucks need help on the blue line. When the ol’ rumour mill started churning about Jack Rathbone testing free agency, Canucks fans were understandably anxious. After a lengthy will he, won’t he saga  — Rathbone signed.

Rathbone – a fourth-round pick in 2017 – was an immediate impact defender as a freshman for the Harvard Crimson in the 2018-19 season. This past season, his development lept forward, finishing third among NCAA defenders in point per game (1.11) while locking down the opposition’s best on a nightly basis.

Of hockey’s three dimensions – offence, transition, and defence – Rathbone’s most significant impact comes in transition. His puck-rushing ability is a well-known commodity at this point. He’s a pace-setter, upping the tempo by taking on all cha