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Todd Harvey says Canucks scouts were directed to prioritize size in 2026 NHL Draft

Jeff Paterson — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 22:14:31 GMT

Without question, there was a theme to this year’s National Hockey League draft for the Vancouver Canucks. They wanted their players to measure up. And the club’s director of amateur scouting, Todd Harvey, feels the hockey club found a solid mix of skill to go along with size in many of its selections.

Overall, the Canucks took nine players – seven forwards, a defenceman and a goalie. They picked two Canadians, an American, a Swede, a Norwegian, a Czech, a Slovak, a Russian and a Belarusian. So they finished with about as diverse a draft class as they’ve ever had when it comes to countries of origin of their selections.

For Harvey, the Canucks wanted to add a certain type of skill with their early picks when they took forwards Caleb Malhotra and Adam Novotný in Friday’s first round. The club opened the proceedings on Day 2 by taking 6’7” and 235-pound centre Brooks Rogowski from the Ontario Hockey League’s Oshawa Generals.

“We had some direction from RJ and the staff and we wanted to get bigger, we wanted to get faster and we wanted to get harder,” Harvey explained of the club’s philosophy this weekend. “Obviously, we can say ‘oh we didn’t take any skill’, but let’s not underrate the skill on these guys. These guys have skill. I think they’re still developing, but we definitely won’t get pushed around.”

Five of the Canucks selections stand 6’3” or taller, and five already weigh in at 200 pounds. Harvey expects eight of the nine players taken this weekend to take part in Canucks development camp, which opens on Tuesday in Abbotsford.

Here are his thoughts on the top four players added to the prospect pool after Caleb Malhotra went third overall.

LW Adam Novotný – 1st round (24th overall) from OHL Peterborough

“We watched him a lot this year. He plays a very mature game. He’s got speed. He’s great on the wall. He’s detailed and you can tell he played pro as an underage. And he came over here and the start of the season everything is new and he kind of fumbled along, but once he figured it out – the pace of the play and the different size of the rink – he was fantastic. You watch him at the World Juniors; he fit in like a glove there. He’s the kind of guy you can move around and up and down the line-up. We were excited that he was still sitting there for us.”

C Brooks Rogowski – 2nd round (33rd overall) from OHL Oshawa

“Big, right-handed shot centreman. For a big guy, he’s pretty athletic. He moves well. He’s only going to get better when things come together. What I think is underrated about him is his touch with the puck. We looked at him being a guy we wanted down the middle and he has some good upside there.”

Harvey says the Canucks brass met after the conclusion of Friday’s first round and assessed what was left on the draft board heading into Day 2. He revealed that when the staff left the building, there was consensus that the Canucks would make Rogowski the first pick of the second round.

LW Niklas Aaram-Olsen – 2nd round (41st overall) from Orebro Jr

“He’s a machine in the gym. He’s a guy that’s pretty low maintenance. Direct player when he’s on the ice. He skates quick. He’s got that kind of explosive skating. He’s got a really good shot. He’s always kind of been a big game scorer. We were excited to get him there.”

G Dmitri Ivchenko – 3rd round (78th overall) from Omsk Jr.

“I watched video. Ian Clark is a big part of our process and he does such a great job and we all know how hard he works and he’s on top of things. He was excited. And when he gets excited, I get excited. We were really excited (Ivchenko) was there for us.”

You can watch the full Toddy Harvey availability below!

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A recap of the 9 prospects the Canucks selected at the 2026 NHL Draft

David Quadrelli — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 21:00:38 GMT

The 2026 NHL Entry Draft has officially come to an end, and the Vancouver Canucks made nine picks at this year’s draft. We’ll have plenty of in-depth analysis in the days and weeks to come — and wall-to-wall coverage of development camp in just a couple of days — but first, we thought it would be convenient to recap all nine of the players who make up the Canucks’ 2026 draft class all in one place.

Complete list of the Canucks’ 2026 draft class

Caleb Malhotra, C, 1st round, 3rd overall

Familiarity won out in the first round as the Canucks used their highest pick in years to select Caleb Malhotra. The 6’2 centre possesses an impressive package of hockey IQ, playmaking, and size. Malhotra’s development will be a major story to watch as he heads to Boston University next season. Read more about our early thoughts on Malhotra by clicking here!

Adam Novotny, LW, 1st round, 24th overall

The Canucks got tremendous value when they selected Adam Novotny at 24th overall. At 6’1 and 205 pounds, the Czechia-born winger already boasts a pro-ready frame. Novotny burst onto the OHL scene last season, lighting it up with 34 goals and 31 assists for 65 points in 58 games. He plays with heavy pace, drives the middle of the ice, and possesses a legitimate NHL-calibre release. Read more about Dave Hall’s thoughts on Novotny here.

Brooks Rogowski, C, 2nd round, 33rd overall

The Canucks kicked off the day two festivities by selecting big centre Brooks Rogowski with the 33rd overall pick. Rogowski brings a nice combination of towering stature and right-handed utility at the centre position, and is certainly one of the most interesting prospects the Canucks selected today. Read more about Rogowski here!

Niklas Aaram-Olsen, LW, 2nd round, 41st overall

Just eight picks later, the Canucks went overseas for the first time in the draft, selecting Niklas Aaram-Olsen. The Norwegian winger dominated his junior age group with Örebro HK in Sweden, racking up 20 goals and 40 points in 29 games, while also getting a 16-game taste of men’s hockey in the SHL. Known for a dangerous one-timer and power-play utility, Aaram-Olsen is committed to Boston University next season, where he will join Canucks first-rounder Caleb Malhotra.

Dmitri Ivchenko, G, 3rd round, 78th overall

With a pick acquired from Columbus in the Conor Garland trade, the Canucks got in on a third-round run of goaltender selections by grabbing Dmitri Ivchenko. Standing 6’3, the athletic Russian netminder was a massive riser on NHL Central Scouting’s boards after posting a stellar .922 save percentage with Omsk in the MHL. Ivchenko fits the technical, post-heavy RVH style that the Canucks’ goaltending department favours. Read more by clicking here!

Yaroslav Bryzgalov, C/LW, 4th round, 97th overall

Bryzgalov is a 6’4, 216-lb left winger out of the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League. He was passed over in last year’s draft after scoring just 10 goals and 17 points in 51 USHL games. The Belarusian winger had an impressive rookie year in the WHL, scoring 13 goals and 42 assists for 55 points in 64 regular season games, adding two goals and 14 points in 15 postseason games for the Tigers. He is committed to play for Merrimack of the NCAA for the 2026-27 season. Read more about him by clicking here.

Connor Davis, RW, 5th round, 129th overall

In the fifth round, Vancouver targeted overage production by drafting forward Connor Davis. Passed over a year ago, the energetic dual-threat scorer put up 26 goals and 29 assists for 55 points through 59 games with the USHL’s Cedar Rapids RoughRiders. He is a high-motor player who is committed to the University of North Dakota for next season.

Lucian Bernat, RW, 6th round, 176th overall

The Canucks stuck with size and drafted big Slovakian winger Lucian Bernat at 176th overall. Listed at 6’4 and 201 pounds, Bernat put up 31 points through 37 games with Tappara’s U20 team over in Finland. At the U18’s with Slovakia, he tallied four points in seven games. Elite Prospects described him as a “shoot-first winger with solid physical tools and size to boot.”

Samuel Eriksson, LD, 6th round, 184th overall

To end their day, the Canucks took their first and only defenceman of this year’s draft, but still managed to stick with their focus on size. At 184th overall, they selected left-shot defenceman Samuel Eriksson. He spent his draft year primarily with the Färjestad BK U20 program in Sweden (even earning a one-game cameo in the SHL) and helped Sweden capture a Gold Medal at the U18 World Junior Championship.

What do you think of the Canucks’ crop of prospects from the 2026 NHL Draft? Let us know in the comments section below!

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Canucks select Lucian Bernat at 176th, Samuel Eriksson at 184th of 2026 NHL Draft

David Quadrelli — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 19:49:00 GMT

The Vancouver Canucks have made what we anticipate will be their final two picks of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.

After taking Connor Davis in round five and flipping the 161st overall pick in a trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Canucks selected Lucian Bernat 176th overall and defenceman Samuel Eriksson at 184th overall in the sixth round of the draft.

Canucks select Lucian Bernat

Listed at 6’4 and 201 pounds, Bernat put up 31 points through 37 games with Tappara’s U20 team over in Finland. At the U18’s with Slovakia, he tallied four points in seven games. Elite Prospects described him as a “shoot-first winger with solid physical tools and size to boot.”

He is slated to head over to the OHL’s Owen Sound Attack in 2026-27. Here is what Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis had to say about him:

“Teams love big wingers, and Bernat fits the mould as a 6-foot-4 forward who battles hard. I like his shot, and he’s good in transition. I thought he had some impressive moments with Slovakia at the U-18s, giving the team some much-needed muscle. Nobody will mistake him for a great skater, but he shows solid power-forward tendencies and can be really difficult to play against. He needs to work on showcasing that checking style more consistently, though.”

Canucks take Samuel Eriksson

With the 18th overall pick, the Canucks took their first defenceman of the draft. On the broadcast’s panel, Tony Granato said he was impressed with Eriksson in his viewings. Eriksson is a 6’5 defenceman, as the Canucks stuck with their focus on size right up until the end of the draft.

Sportsnet had Eriksson ranked 84th overall on their rankings, and The Hockey News had him all the way up at 59th overall. Here is what Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis had to say:

“He’s huge. 6-foot-5, 212 pounds. Not a great skater but he’s mean with a great reach. Give him some time with a skating coach and he might be an NHLer.”

All in all, the Canucks selected nine prospects today: Caleb Malhotra (3rd overall), Adam Novotny (24th overall), Brooks Rogowski (33rd overall), Niklas Aaram-Olsen (41st), Dmitri Ivchenko (78th), Yaroslav Bryzgalov (97th), Connor Davis (129), Lucian Bernat (176th), Samuel Eriksson (184th).

Canucks select Connor Davis at 129; trade pick 161 to Leafs for 2027 5th round pick

David Quadrelli — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 19:23:23 GMT

The Vancouver Canucks have made their next pick at the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.

At 129th overall in the fifth round, the Canucks selected overage prospect Connor Davis. Davis put up 26 goals and 29 assists through 59 games with the USHL’s Cedar Rapids Rough Riders. He is committed to the NCAA’s University of North Dakota for next season.

Here is what Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis had to say about Davis:

“Passed over a year ago. Energetic forward who had a big season with Cedar Rapids. Had a monster end to the season. It felt like he was unstoppable down the stretch. Nice bet-high at a pick like this. His playmaking has definitely improved a bit over the past year.”

From the Elite Prospects draft guide:

“A dual-threat scorer, Davis’ motor, willingness to isolate and create one-on-one advantages, and his shooting skill drive his game. He protects the puck through hip-pocket holds, targets defensive triangles, and while he struggles to consistently win inside positioning, he rarely gives up on a play — hunting wraparounds and in-tight jam chances.”

Canucks trade 161st overall pick to Leafs

The Canucks then elected to trade the 161st overall pick in round six to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for a 5th round pick in the 2027 NHL Entry Draft. This is the first trade of Ryan Johnson’s tenure as Canucks general manager.

The Canucks hold two more picks in the sixth round of this year’s draft, and currently don’t have a pick for the 7th round, so those final two picks will likely mark the end of their work at the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.

To this point, the Canucks have selected Caleb Malhotra (3rd overall), Adam Novotny (24th overall), Brooks Rogowski (33rd overall), Niklas Aaram-Olsen (41st), Dmitri Ivchenko (78th), Yaroslav Bryzgalov (97th), Connor Davis (129).

Keep it locked on CanucksArmy for more draft content!

Canucks select Yaroslav Bryzgalov at 97th overall in the 2026 NHL Draft

Tyson Cole — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 17:29:36 GMT

With the 97th overall pick, the Vancouver Canucks have selected Yaroslav Bryzgalov at the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.

Bryzgalov is a 6’4″, 216-lb left winger out of the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League. He was passed over in last year’s draft after scoring just 10 goals and 17 points in 51 USHL games. The Belarusian winger had an impressive rookie year in the WHL, scoring 13 goals and 42 assists for 55 points in 64 regular season games, adding two goals and 14 points in 15 postseason games for the Tigers. He is committed to play for Merrimack of the NCAA for the 2026-27 season.

EliteProspects had Bryzgalov ranked 85th. Here is their write-up on Bryzgalov in their 2026 Draft Guide:

“In lieu of footspeed, Bryzgalov zips passes to play an overall fast game. He makes touch passes through the forecheck, spins them off the wall, beats sticks with quick hands to set up dishes, and even manipulates defenders with look-offs and shotpasses to create cross-slot lanes. Whether he’s stealing pucks on the forecheck or catching them in space, he always knows the next play instantly. In his best sequences, he makes several high-skill passes in succession, building play from his own zone to the crease.

“Bryzgalov is also a physical player, regularly finishing his checks and battling around the net. In his best outings, he’s a battering ram, skating right through opponents to grab the puck. While he didn’t use it a ton this season, there were flashes of an NHL-calibre shot, too.

“While the puck moves faster than players, Bryzgalov must still develop his skating. He’s an upright, narrow skater with limited upper-lower separating, hindering his agility. So much of his projection hinges on both improving his skating and developing more ways to bypass a lack of speed entirely.”

The Canucks have now selected five forwards and one goaltender in the 2026 NHL Draft:

3rd overall: Caleb Malhotra
24th overall: Adam Novotný
33rd overall: Brooks Rogowski
41st overall: Niklas Aaram-Olsen
78th overall: Dmitri Ivchenko
97th overall: Yaroslav Bryzgalov

As of now, the Canucks have four picks remaining: one fifth-round pick (129th overall) and three sixth-round selections (161st, 176th, and 184th overall).

Canucks select goaltender Dmitri Ivchenko at 78th overall in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft

David Quadrelli — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 17:12:58 GMT

With their lone pick of the third round, the Vancouver Canucks have selected goaltender Dmitri Ivchenko with the 78th overall selection in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.

Ivchenko is a 6’3″ Russian goaltender who was a big riser on NHL Central Scouting’s EU Goalies rankings. Ivchenko was ranked 8th among European goaltenders in the midterm rankings, but in the final rankings, he was all the way up to 4th.

Ivchenko put up a .922 save percentage and an 11-5-1 record through 19 games played with Omsk of the MHL over in Russia.

Ivchenko fits the mould of the types of goaltenders the Canucks like. He’s got great length, competes hard, and has great athleticism. He plays a calm game, and is comfortable with his post play. The Canucks’ goaltending department ask their goaltenders to be in the RVH against their posts more than most teams, so it’s certainly worth noting how comfortable Ivchenko already seems to be on his posts. In my early viewings, Ivchenko seems to struggle to track pucks through traffic, and is susceptible to reacting a bit late to passes up high through traffic, which can lead to some not-so-great rebounds.

“If a team built their goaltending draft list with a focus on size and technique, Dmitri Ivchenko would be one of the first names on that board,” wrote Elite Prospects. Elite Prospects’ scouts poll ranked Ivchenko the second-most technical and fourth-smartest of all the netminders in the 2026 NHL Draft.

The third round of the draft saw a flurry of goaltenders selected. As is typically the case, once one goes, plenty go as teams don’t want to get left behind.

Ivchenko joins a Canucks goaltending pipeline featuring Aleksei Medvedev (second round pick last year), along with Ty Young and Aku Koskenvuo, both of whom should be in AHL Abbotsford next season.

The Canucks got the pick to select Ivchenko from the Columbus Blue Jackets in the Conor Garland trade ahead of the trade deadline.

Canucks allowing Danila Klimovich to head to free agency: report

David Quadrelli — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 16:30:53 GMT

The Vancouver Canucks won’t be qualifying Danila Klimovich’s contract, allowing the pending restricted free to hit free agency on July 1st.

The news broke via Rick Dhaliwal of Donnie and Dhali — The Team on a busy Saturday morning ahead of day two of the NHL Draft.

“Agent Dan Milstein tells me that client Danila Klimovich will test free agency on July 1st,” Dhaliwal wrote in a post to X/Twitter. “He is an RFA, but the Canucks were kind enough to accommodate the player’s request for a change of scenery.”

Klimovich, 23, tallied 18 goals and 16 assists through 63 games with the AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks last season. Klimovich has spent the entirety of his pro career with Ryan Johnson as his GM in Abbotsford, and the past two seasons with Manny Malhotra as his coach.

The Canucks originally drafted Klimovich with the 41st overall pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. Klimovich has played 281 regular-season games with the Abbotsford Canucks, but never got the chance to make his NHL debut with Vancouver.

Last month, there was a report that Klimovich planned to head to the KHL. More specifically, that Klimovich was close to signing a two-year deal with CSKA. But as CanucksArmy reported at the time, Klimovich’s agent Dan Milstein poured cold water on that notion almost immediately.

“False. KHL is not being considered at this time at all,” Milstein told CanucksArmy.

Klimovich will now try his luck on July 1st and hope that a change of scenery will allow him to break through and eventually make his long-awaited NHL debut.

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Canucks select Niklas Aaram-Olsen with 41st overall pick at 2026 NHL Draft

David Quadrelli — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 15:53:23 GMT

The Vancouver Canucks began day two of the 2026 NHL Draft by selecting massive 6’7 right-shot centre Brooks Rogowski with the 33rd overall pick. They were back on the clock just eight picks later, and with pick 41, the Canucks selected Niklas Aaram-Olsen.

Here is what we wrote about Niklas Aaram-Olsen in a recent scouting report.

“Aaram-Olsen brings speed, skill and intrigue after producing 20 goals and 40 points in 29 games for Örebro’s junior team. He attacks off the rush, handles the puck at pace and works responsibly on the backcheck. The Norwegian winger also appeared in 16 SHL contests, gaining valuable experience against heavier competition. Adding strength and consistency on a shift-to-shift basis will determine whether his offence translates to a role as a top-nine NHLer.”

Here is what Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis wrote about Aaram-Olsen in his final mock draft.

“Aaram-Olsen always shines internationally, typically playing a big role for Norway across all age groups. He’s a pure goal scorer, and he often can be found dominating his own age group. I love him on the power play, where it feels like he does a good job of cycling the puck and then firing quick one-timers. Against men, though. Aaram-Olsen has left a lot to be desired, and scouts have knocked him for having a lack of high-end tools outside of his shot. If he can play with more pace and learn to dominate play through the middle, he could be a good snag. I like the upside, even if some scouts aren’t as convinced.”

Aaram-Olsen is the first non-CHL pick for the Canucks in this draft. According to CanucksArmy’s own Dave Hall, who is on the ground in Buffalo, Aaram-Olsen confirmed that he will go to Boston University next season, meaning he will be teammates with Caleb Malhotra.

On night one, the Canucks selected Caleb Malhotra with the third overall pick, and winger Adam Novotny at 24th overall. Many fans hoped that the Canucks would select skilled Vancouver Giants forward Mathis Preston at one of their selections in round two, but Preston fell all the way to the Anaheim Ducks at 50th overall.

What do you think of the Canucks’ second-round picks? Let us know in the comments section below!

Canucks select 6’7″ centre Brooks Rogowski at 33rd overall at 2026 NHL Entry Draft

Tyson Cole — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 15:31:38 GMT

With the first pick of the second round, the Vancouver Canucks have selected towering centreman Brooks Rogowski at the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.

Rogowski is a 6’7″, 236-lb centreman born in Brighton, Michigan. The American spent the previous two seasons with the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League. In his rookie year in the OHL, Rogowski scored 11 goals, 12 assists and 23 points in 66 games, following that up with 15 goals and 27 assists for 42 points in 46 games in his draft year.

Here is what EliteProspects had to say regarding Rogowski in the 2026 NHL Draft Guide:

“A 6-foot-7 forward with NHL-projectable skating, Brooks Rogowski possesses one of the most unique profiles in this draft. This combination was enough to attract flocks of NHL scouts to games, but it’s the additional layers to his projection that make him an enticing development project.

“Despite his size, Rogowski has the right proportions and flexibility to assume a deep, stable skating posture and maintain a tight grip on the puck. He carries pucks across the offensive line at a high rate, absorbing contact, shielding possession with his stature, and avoiding pokechecks. He turns the corner on defenders, gains space, and relays passes to teammates.

“Mostly seeing baseline OHL plays from him and not NHL ones, we saw Rogowski as a future checker in the first half of the season, projecting that he could use his range and skating in a defensive role at the NHL level, breaking plays and forechecking for offence, as long as he developed the harder contact game to go along with his wingspan. But as the season wore on, he broke out of the checker mould, displaying a higher level of playmaking ability and offensive instincts than we had previously expected.”

According to EliteProspects, Rogowski is slated to return to the Oshawa Generals for the 2026-27 season and is committed to Michigan State University in the NCAA for 2027-28.

All three of the Canucks’ selections have been used on forwards: Caleb Malhotra, Adam Novotný, and now Brooks Rogowski.

Names to keep an eye out from rounds 3 and beyond at 2026 NHL Draft

Dave Hall — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 15:00:30 GMT

Day One of the 2026 NHL Draft has come and gone, and the Vancouver Canucks made away like bandits with their two picks.

Already shoring up their centre pipeline with Caleb Malhotra at Third Overall, the club struck tremendous value with Adam Novotny with pick 24. Incredibly, the Canucks hold eight more picks to continue finding that value. We’ve already established names that could be available to the Canucks in the second round, but what about further down the list?

At this point, you begin to throw darts at the realistic targets. With over 350 players in the Central Scouting registry, there is a wide range of players that bring intrigue: smaller offensive types, rangy and sizable types and of course, goalies.

Here are a few names to watch out for through the third and fifth rounds.

Beckett Hamilton

Will Beckett Hamilton still be available when Vancouver steps to the podium at 78th overall? It’s difficult to say. There is a very realistic chance another team jumps on him somewhere in the second round. But if he is still hanging around, he feels like exactly the type of player Vancouver should be targeting.

While there are certainly bigger offensive swings available in this range, Hamilton offers one of the more complete player profiles on Day 2. He already plays a mature, responsible game, yet still flashes enough secondary offence to project as an NHL contributor.

And while some players benefit greatly from playing on powerhouse junior clubs, Hamilton didn’t exactly have that luxury. The Red Deer Rebels endured another difficult season, yet Hamilton consistently found himself driving whatever offence the team managed to create. He finished as the club’s leading scorer by a comfortable margin while drawing the toughest matchups on a nightly basis.

It’s one thing to produce while surrounded by elite talent. It’s another to become the focal point of every opposing defensive game plan and still find ways to create. Even during Red Deer’s opening-round playoff loss to Braeden Cootes and the Prince Albert Raiders, Hamilton consistently pushed the pace and looked like one of the few Rebels capable of changing a game.

What stands out most is how many different ways he impacts play. He wins puck battles, creates turnovers on the forecheck, attacks through traffic and quickly turns those recoveries into scoring chances. There isn’t one elite tool carrying his projection. Instead, it’s a collection of good habits, strong hockey sense and a willingness to stay involved in every shift.

Can he provide a secondary offence at the highest level? Hamilton owns a quality shot and does his best work attacking downhill, but scouts remain split on whether he possesses enough dynamic skill to become a true offensive driver at the NHL level. Some project him as a middle-six winger capable of contributing offensively while handling difficult defensive assignments. Others see a reliable complementary player whose versatility and compete level should allow him to carve out a lengthy NHL career.

Regardless, there is still value to be had somewhere on Day 2.

Nils Bartholdsson

If Nils Bartholdsson were two inches taller, there’s a very good chance we wouldn’t even be talking about him in Vancouver’s range.

The Rögle winger checks many boxes NHL teams covet in a Day 2 swing. He can score, create, and compete, and has consistently performed against his own age group. Will his size limit his projection against stronger professional competition? Perhaps.

What makes Bartholdsson intriguing is that he doesn’t play like a smaller forward. He attacks the middle of the ice, willingly goes into traffic and remains engaged defensively. Rather than relying solely on skill, he complements it with an impressive motor that keeps him involved shift after shift. If you’re into stats, his numbers are sure intriguing. With 42 points (23 goals, 19 assists) in just 32 J20 games, only likely first-round selection Alexander Command outproduced him among U18 skaters.

Looking into his downfalls, it’s his skating that will ultimately determine how high his ceiling climbs. And if he can find another gear physically, there’s enough offensive talent and competitiveness here for a team to find tremendous value outside the opening two rounds.

Tyus Sparks

The Canucks don’t have a track record of selecting players from the Vancouver Giants. Fortunately for them and Canucks Nation, Tyus Sparks finished his season somewhere else.

After a statistically quiet rookie campaign, Sparks took a significant step forward during his sophomore season, producing 37 points in 40 games with the Giants before being dealt to Spokane in the Mathis Preston trade. He dove right into his new system and nearly maintained a point-per-game pace, recording another 28 points in 29 contests.

There remains plenty of rawness in his game, but there are also plenty of reasons to be intrigued. Sparks owns a legitimate release, plays with pace and continues to show flashes of offensive creativity that suggest there may still be another level waiting to emerge. He’s exactly the type of mid-to-late round swing that can reward patient organizations.

Sparks’ game is raw, but he brings a ton of energy, a wicked release that should translate to any level. and a very interesting skill set worth a look in the third- to fourth-round.

Ethan MacKenzie

Already passed over at the draft, Ethan MacKenzie finally forced NHL teams to pay attention.

His career-high 58-point campaign certainly helped, but it was his showing at the World Junior Championship that truly cemented his draft stock for most draft watchers.

MacKenzie looked terrific against international competition, displaying the same calm, reliable game that had steadily evolved throughout his WHL career. While the offensive numbers before this season won’t jump off the page, defenders who skate well, move the puck efficiently, and make consistently smart decisions often age extremely well as prospects. MacKenzie fits that mould.

The offensive ceiling may not be spectacular, but the projection is very appealing. Reliable right-shot defenders tend to find NHL work, and MacKenzie feels like another player whose game should continue improving as he matures physically.

Beckham Edwards

Could you find a Beckham Edwards in round 4 or 5? If so, we do believe that you’re extracting terrific value once again.

He may not possess a single defining elite tool, but there are enough positives throughout his game to envision a legitimate NHL path. He’s a natural centre who competes hard, owns a quality release, and consistently plays with the type of motor that coaches and fans appreciate.

Back-to-back 45-point seasons with Sarnia don’t necessarily scream offensive upside, but some flashes suggest there could be more. His release is legitimate; he attacks with pace and has shown an ability to finish in past circuits. Combined with his willingness to compete in all three zones, it’s easy to envision him eventually earning trust further down a lineup.

Oscar Holmertz

Is it time for a wild swing? Well, Oscar Holmertz might be one of the biggest wild cards in the entire draft.

The offensive tools are undeniable. His production has remained strong at Sweden’s J20 level despite consistently being one of the younger players on the ice, and his playmaking ability regularly flashes high-end potential.

Yet scouts continue debating exactly what to make of him. We imagine that has something to do with Holmertz completely controlling the pace of play on some nights. Other nights, he fades into the background. The inconsistency, along with questions surrounding his shift-to-shift engagement, has left evaluators wondering exactly where he belongs.

But if an NHL development staff can unlock that next level of competitiveness, there could be more players here than his draft slot suggests. It’s boom-or-bust time, and if a name like Holmertz’s falls to the fifth (ish) round, you might as well leap.

Axel Elofsson

Let’s swing again, shall we? And Axel Elofsson presents another fascinating Swedish gamble.

The offensive tools are obvious, and the Swedish right-shot defender moves the puck confidently, creates offence naturally, and has enough vision to quarterback a power play at higher levels.

The concern comes everywhere else. Standing under six feet, questions surrounding his defensive game and physical projection will almost certainly push him down draft boards. But that’s exactly why he becomes such an interesting Day 2 swing.

If the Canucks spend their premium selections adding safer, projectable talent, Elofsson becomes the type of player worth betting on later, as the upside could be substantial.

Whether he eventually develops into an NHL puck mover or tops out as an elite SHL power play quarterback will depend almost entirely on how much he can round out the defensive side of his game.

Honourable mentions:

Lars Steiner
Adam Valentini
Pierce Mbuyi
Liam Lefebvre