Lucky #13 on the pond is… 2021 3rd round selection Caedan Bankier. Caedan Bankier is a left shot Center currently with the Kamloops. Fellow Blazer Josh Pillar was highlighted at #14, and these two were selected one round apart in the 2021 draft. Pillar and Bankier usually skate on the same line. It is clear that Wild scouts spent some time watching the Kamloops Blazers last season.
Last season, Bankier’s draft year, he put up 23 points in 22 games. So far this season he has put up 15 points in 12 games. The penalty box is a concept that Bankier has only ever heard of through tales his teammates have told him, having only visited the box for a total of 4 minutes across his past 34 games. Bankier has also managed a +5 in only 12 games so far this season. With a PPG of 1.25, Bankier sits at 7th in the WHL in U19 players. Riding the backs of Bankier and Pillar, the Kamloops Blazers are 11-1 thus far.
The Pond Report
Caedan Bankier is a good sized Center that uses his size to camp in front of the net in the offensive zone. At 6’2, 192 lbs, Bankier is a tree that plants himself in front of the Goalie at the Junior level. Despite his size he displays exceptional control in tight spaces. Combining his ability to plant himself in front of the net, and his ability to operate with little to no space, Bankier finds many of his goals coming in close proximity to the net. While Bankier doesn’t have an overpowering shot, he shows poise before shooting and is able to pick a spot and hit it. Bankier also tends to keep his shots to the lower corners of the net, often forcing the Goalie to kick out a juicy rebound ending up in an assist for Bankier.
Despite not playing a very physical game, Bankier uses his length in the defensive zone to take away lanes. Bankier plays a conservative defensive game, never overcommitting, but also rarely taking someone off the puck. This brings up the fact that Bankier also gets time on the Penalty Kill. Bankier is an ideal penalty killing forward as he completely understands his role on the PK, even as a young player. It also helps to have a penalty killer that the coach can rely on not being the one who’s penalty needs killing.
On the negative side of things, Bankier’s speed is nothing special. Bankier seems to be on par with most WHL skaters, but far from top prospect level. If Bankier showed more speed he might be able to turn defense into offense on occasion, but this is currently not in his repertoire. If Bankier wants to take face-offs at the X, he will need to become much quicker. The difference in strength at the Junior level and the Professional level could also potentially take away his ability in front of the net. 6’2, 192 lbs is very big in Juniors, but a bit more bulk might be needed to be a viable 3rd line Center. Speed and size are two traits that can be developed with time in the AHL with the Baby Wild, who Bankier should likely join in 2023-24.
Analysis
Caedan Bankier is currently a bubble prospect. He has every chance of making an NHL roster one day, but it’s just too early in his career to make any big claims. Speed kills in the NHL, and if he can’t crack the Wild in the future it will almost certainly be due to his lack of speed. That being said, Bankier has the ability to score, and plays smart in all three zones. Bankier’s combination of being solid in his own zone, and never taking penalties is an underrated quality.
In stark contrast to our #15 and #14 prospects, Bankier’s position will make it more difficult to crack the Wild roster in the future. Despite Wild fan’s current complaints that the team is struggling at Center, this should not be the case in 3-5 years when Bankier could be making a push for the NHL. In the upcoming weeks of Prospect Pond we will meet quite a few Centers that are going to be donning the green and red.
Projections
Chances of becoming NHL regular: 45%
Bankier’s projections are almost identical to Josh Pillar’s. At this stage it is slightly more likely that Bankier never fully breaks into the NHL than he does. As he currently is still 18 and is a very strong player in the WHL, he is on the path to being at least a borderline NHL player. If his speed develops, expect to see Bankier consistently playing in the NHL.
Chances of becoming star NHL’er (Top 50): 2%
If Bankier does break into the NHL, it will almost certainly be as a 3rd or 4th line Center. Even if his speed develops it will never be elite. He also hasn’t shown off the charts puck handling or shooting abilities that it takes to become elite. Regardless, 3rd line Centers are valuable, and if he develops into that there will be no complaints.
NHL arrival: 2026
If Bankier arrives in 2026 he would be 23 years old. Bankier will certainly take some time to develop, and hopefully becomes a depth option by this time for the Wild.
Conclusion
Thank you for reading the Prospect Pond. Stay tuned in the following weeks as we approach the Top 10 Wild prospects. What are your thoughts on Caedan Bankier? If he ever breaks into the Wild will his nickname be Banksy? Is he the son of 1992 Mighty Ducks All-Star Adam Banks? Comment below to share your opinion.