Perkins’ sophomore NCAA season was a quiet affair, with him posting a goal and four assists across 29 games. Part of the reason for the minimal production could be the minimal deployment he saw, especially at the end of the season.

Perkins’ production in his second year at the University of Minnesota-Duluth has fallen off. After 15 points in 35 games a year ago, Perkins has just four points, all assists, in 21 games. He remains unsigned and will likely be at the NCAA level for the remainder of his eligibility. He has some issues in his game to iron out, so the Canucks will let him find his game before deciding on his future with the organization.

In his first season in the NCAA, Perkins has encountered a lot of trouble finding consistency in his game. This is not surprising for a first-year player, but it’s an aspect he will need to work on to progress to the next level. Despite these challenges, Perkins is still young, and he has plenty of time before becoming a concern for the Canucks. C

Despite a lacklustre point production and low draft rankings, the Vancouver Canucks took a gamble on Perkins in the fourth round (119) due to his intelligence and strong play away from the puck. While his skating and size present challenges, his hockey IQ and versatility make him an intriguing prospect. Perkins’ ability to read the game and contribute offensively through playmaking and finding open ice, combined with his defensive awareness and penalty-killing skills, showcase his potential as a well-rounded player. However, his skating mechanics need significant improvement to fully leverage his intelligence on the ice. Joining the University of Minnesota-Duluth allows Perkins an extended development period, providing the Canucks with time to assess if his intelligence will overcome his current limitations. It remains uncertain if the Canucks could have chosen a higher-upside prospect in the fourth round, but Perkins’ coachability, drive, and potential suggest a chance for success in the future.

From January 10th onward, he saw double digit minutes of play time but once in those 13 games, with one goal and nine shots on net.

Though his contributions to his team go beyond just what shows on the scoreboard, for Perkins to rise through the ranks and see NHL time, he will need to have a bounce-back year that warrants consideration a future levels.

Given that fantasy hockey is all about- and perhaps what shows up on the scoreboard, Perkins is not worth rostering at present. Alex Wyatt