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Jordan Subban has ‘a great opportunity’ to prove himself to Canucks

Belleville Bulls v Niagara IceDogs

ST CATHARINES, ON - NOVEMBER 27: Jordan Subban #14 of the Belleville Bulls skates with the puck during an OHL game between the Belleville Bulls and the Niagara IceDogs at the Meridian Centre on November 27, 2014 in St Catharines, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)

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The Vancouver Canucks scored the second-fewest goals in the NHL last season, in part because they got so little offensive push from their blue line.

So it’s no surprise that Jordan Subban has become a popular topic in Vancouver as training camp approaches. The 21-year-old defenseman had 36 points (11G, 25A) in 67 games for AHL Utica last season, his first year as a professional. It’s not out of the question that he makes his NHL debut at some point in 2016-17.

“He had a real good year last year, offensively,” Canucks president Trevor Linden said Friday on TSN 1040. “I think he’s understanding where he has to be on the defensive side of things, and just that consistency. I think bringing that consistent work level to practice, his professional habits, he took a big step last year. He’s a committed kid. He’s a hard worker. He’s a great kid.”

Linden balked when asked about Subban’s chances of getting the call up to the Canucks this season. The knock on P.K.'s younger brother has always been his size. He’s listed at just 5-9 and 178 pounds.

“When you’re undersized, you need to figure out how to defend,” said Linden. “He’s got a great opportunity to show well here in training camp, and we’ll see where he is.”

The Canucks are expected to give NHL returnee Philip Larsen the first crack at running their power play, but if he fails to get results, Subban could be a right-shot option.

Related: P.K. Subban thinks brother Jordan will be ‘the best of all of us’