The Vancouver Canucks added two significant pieces to their prospect pool Friday, selecting centre Caleb Malhotra third overall before taking winger Adam Novotny at No. 24. Their work at the 2026 NHL Draft, however, is far from finished.

Vancouver holds the opening selection of Saturday’s second round at No. 33, followed by another pick at No. 41. Several players projected to hear their names called late in the first round are still up for grabs, giving the Canucks an opportunity to add another high-upside prospect or entertain trade offers from teams hoping to move up.

Here are 10 players Ryan Johnson and the Canucks could consider with the first pick Saturday morning.

Villeneuve is the most dynamic defenceman remaining after producing six goals and 38 points in 37 QMJHL games. The 5-foot-11 left-shot blueliner creates exits with his deceptive edges, and projects as a power-play quarterback in the NHL. His size is a major reason he slid outside of the first round. Picking Villeneuve would carry risk, but his ceiling makes him one of the strongest best-player-available options for Vancouver with the opening selection Saturday morning.

Preston’s draft year was interrupted by a knee injury, but he still recorded 18 goals and 44 points in 46 WHL games. The Vancouver Giants winger plays with pace and owns a dangerous release. He also produced six points in six games at the under-18 worlds and finished among the top 10 in seven combine tests. Preston may be the likeliest selection for pick 33, as Vancouver interviewed him at the combine, where he said the Canucks appeared highly interested.

Shilov was the QMJHL’s offensive rookie of the year after recording 32 goals and 82 points in 63 games for Victoriaville. He has the vision to create passing lanes that few prospects can recognize, plus the hands that allow him to make the play. His urgency and tendency to drift on defence are concerns, but Shilov won 54.8 per cent of his faceoffs, and the centre may have the highest offensive ceiling of anyone available when Vancouver selects at No. 33.

At 6-foot-7 and 235 pounds, Rogowski has a lot more appeal to his game beyond his stature. The Oshawa centre recorded 15 goals and 42 points in 46 games while contributing on both special teams this past season in the OHL. He moves well, protects the puck, and creates havoc around the crease. Rogowski’s offensive skills are still developing, but he may possess the tools to project as a capable matchup forward. His combination of size, mobility and puck skills nevertheless presents an intriguing package that is difficult to find outside the first round.

Ignatavicius spent his season against professionals, collecting seven goals and 13 points in 52 games before earning Swiss National League rookie-of-the-year honours. The 6-foot-2 Lithuanian winger is capable of contributing without dominating possession and understands how to handle physical competition. His first step could be quicker, and elevating his wheels would make him a more capable scorer off the rush. Vancouver interviewed Ignatavicius at the combine, making him a candidate at either 33 or 41.

Håkansson is a safer profile than most players available at the top of the second round, projecting as a dependable defensive defenceman. The 6-foot-4, 207-pound left-shot defenceman appeared in 22 SHL games this past season and helped Sweden win world junior gold. He skates well for his size, clears the net front, and knows how to disrupt entries and cycles with his reach. He makes efficient decisions with the puck, although he has shown limited offensive creation, which may limit him to a third-pairing role in the NHL.

Mutryn captained the United States at the under-18 championship and produced 18 goals and 46 points in 62 games with the national development program. The 6-foot-3 winger plays an aggressive, direct style built around forechecking, straight lines, and working at the net-front. His effort and defensive reliability give him a high NHL floor, but Mutryn may lack the creativity of other candidates on this list. His Combine meeting with Vancouver, on the other hand, suggests the organization values him as a versatile middle-six power forward.

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.

Roobroeck combines a 6-foot-4 frame with one of the better shots available in the second round. He produced 30 goals and 58 points in 49 games before a lower-body injury ended his season. Once considered a potential top-10 pick, the Niagara winger slid because of inconsistent pace, engagement, and play away from the puck. Despite those shortcomings in his game, he was ranked 27th on Elite Prospects’ consolidated board, and if Vancouver believes it can improve his motor, Roobroeck offers upside at No. 33.

Goljer is a 6-foot-3 right-shot defenceman who recorded 11 points in 43 games against professionals in Slovakia. One of the younger options in this range, he handled a significant workload while flashing strong puck-moving ability against older opponents. His reads and execution can be inconsistent, but his tools, handedness, mobility, and room for growth could make him a viable long-term project.

Ruck led the WHL with 108 points, including 87 assists, while playing alongside twin brother Liam. Markus is a gifted playmaker, but selecting him appears less likely after Pittsburgh drafted Liam 22nd overall. The possibility of keeping the twins together was part of their appeal, and the Penguins could reunite them with pick No. 39. Vancouver would appear more likely to hold one of the prospects they interviewed at the combine in higher regard instead.

Villeneuve may be the strongest option remaining on the board, but Preston’s local connection makes him an interesting candidate as well. Holding another selection at No. 41 gives Vancouver flexibility, but there is no guarantee its preferred alternatives will survive the next eight picks. After adding Malhotra and Novotny on Friday, the Canucks are well-positioned in the second round to continue reshaping their prospect pool as soon as Day 2 begins.