Jordan Schroeder, 2009, 22nd overall — six goals, nine assists for 15 points in 55 NHL regular season games to date (April 3, 2014) for the centre. CLICK on the photos tab and then "Next" above this photo to see other failed first-rounders as Canucks over the past 30 years if you're on a desktop (or touch this photo and sweep if you're on a mobile device). Photograph by: JONATHAN HAYWARD , THE CANADIAN PRESS

VANCOUVER — A season that began badly with ankle surgery does not seem to be ending well for former first-round pick Jordan Schroeder, whose future with the Vancouver Canucks appears to be very much in doubt.

Schroeder's minutes are in decline — he played a season-low 3:18 on Tuesday night vs. the New York Rangers — and with captain Henrik Sedin expected back from injury, Schroeder may not play at all when the Canucks meet the Los Angeles Kings at Rogers Arena on Saturday night (7 p.m., CBC, Team 1040).

Coach John Tortorella has seen occasional flashes from Schroeder, but suggested the 23-year-old has not been nearly consistent enough.

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"The last game he ends up with a couple of scoring chances," Tortorella said. "You can see his speed, you can see his offensive skill. If it was consistent enough there'd be more minutes. It's always that chicken and egg — I need more minutes to show you — there's always that combination going on.

"If I thought that there was consistency he would get more minutes. It hasn't happened that way. He has had opportunities, I think at times he has played well, other times he hasn't and that is where I have to make my decisions as far as ice time."

Schroeder was taken 22nd overall in the first round of the 2009 draft by general manager Mike Gillis. After three years of seasoning in the minors, the Canucks rewarded him with a one-way contract for this season.

It was a calculated risk for the Canucks. Schroeder had off-season shoulder surgery and was unproven at the NHL level. He came to camp determined to prove he deserved that vote of confidence, but he suffered a left ankle injury in the pre-season, re-injured the same ankle in an Oct. 19 game in Pittsburgh and required surgery. He ended up missing three months.

Schroeder has three goals and six points in 24 games this season. Those are the same numbers rookie Nicklas Jensen has registered in exactly half as many games. Schroeder has averaged just north of 12 minutes a night of ice time, but has been in single digits the last four games.

Tortorella acknowledged that Schroeder's size, or lack thereof, presents an extra challenge.

"Schroeds is a small guy playing in a big man's league, that's a quick league also," Tortorella said. "Something special has to come out and he and I have had this conversation. He's a great kid, he wants to play, he is upset he isn't playing, it's all good stuff that way, that isn't a bad thing. But I need something to hang my hat on as we look for consistency there."

The Canucks will have a decision to make this summer on Schroeder, who will be a restricted free agent. The best he can hope for is a qualifying offer and it almost certainly would be a two-way contract. The Canucks could in fact choose not to qualify Schroeder and make him an unrestricted free agent.

It's tough to see where he fits next season. The Canucks like what they have seen from newly acquired centre Shawn Matthias and have fellow centres Henrik Sedin, Ryan Kesler and Brad Richardson under contract for next season. The Canucks are also expected to give uber-prospect Bo Horvat a long look at third-line centre at training camp next fall.

Schroeder wasn't anxious to talk about his future earlier this week.

"I don't know what you guys expect me to say about that," he said. "I just take it day by day, really don't look to the future.

"Obviously, everybody wants to play, no one wants to sit on the bench, but coaches have to make decisions and when you get your name called you have to go out there and play as hard as you can."

Schroeder did say he'd like to remain a Canuck.

"I have no idea what is going to happen," he said. "This is a great organization. You know, whatever happens, happens."

bziemer@vancouversun.com

Twitter.com/bradziemer

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