The 2026 NHL Draft Lottery is officially set, and the Vancouver Canucks’ new management group can finally begin narrowing down its approach heading into one of the most important drafts in recent franchise history.

As things currently stand, Vancouver holds the third- and 24th-overall selections in the opening round. Of course, things could change quickly. Draft-day movement always feels inevitable, especially with a new front office led by Ryan Johnson, who may very well look to make an aggressive splash at the podium to bolster its newly minted rebuild.

We’ve already worked through the names expected to land within the top-three conversation. Now, attention shifts toward the next tier of players who could become realistic targets should Vancouver move down, add selections, or simply remain patient later in the opening round.

Using NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings as a guideline, we continue our draft profile series with a look at several names who could realistically fall into the Canucks’ range later in the first round or early in the second.

If you’re someone who values offensive production from the backend, Daxon Rudolph immediately becomes one of the easier bets within this next tier. The Prince Albert Raiders defender erupted offensively this season, finishing with 78 points in 68 games while leading his club in scoring and placing third among all WHL defencemen. He doubled down in the playoffs, where Rudolph co-led the entire WHL postseason with 27 points in 18 games while helping guide Prince Albert to the league final against the Everett Silvertips.

Between the numbers, frame, and handedness, it is easy to understand why scouts remain intrigued by his profile. After all, big, mobile, right-shot defenders with offensive instincts will always carry value at the podium.

In transition, Rudolph is extremely comfortable carrying the puck himself, using strong edgework and fluid skating mechanics to create controlled exits and entries. He distributes effectively from the backend, quarterbacks the power play naturally, and carries a long history of scoring goals from the backend. There are stretches where he genuinely looks like a future top-pairing offensive defender capable of driving play from the blue line.

The reason he falls slightly outside the top tier of defenders in this class likely comes down to some fine details in his game that may not be as polished as others ahead of him. There are moments where he forces plays that may not translate as cleanly at the next level. Whether that’s attempting low-percentage passes through layers or trying to beat pressure unnecessarily, there are sequences where you get the sense he is relying on junior-level freedom over structure that he may have to address through his transition.

Despite standing 6-foot-2 and weighing north of 200 pounds, his physical game also leaves evaluators wanting more. He does not consistently impose himself in battles along the wall or around the crease, and there are times when he can be outmuscled despite possessing the frame advantage. That said, physical engagement is often one of the more teachable elements for young defenders, and the combination of skating, offence, and handedness still makes him a highly intriguing upside swing.

At the very least, Rudolph projects as a player with legitimate top-four potential and power play utility at the professional level.

Few players in this year’s draft class experienced a larger swing in perception than Tynan Lawrence. At one point earlier in the season, Lawrence firmly sat in the top-five conversation and looked like one of the safer centre projections available near the top of the board. Since then, however, his stock has cooled considerably, while names such as Caleb Malhotra and Viggo Björck have skyrocketed up the ranks.

The New Brunswick native suffered a lower-body injury just before the year began, delaying the start of his draft season entirely. When he returned to the USHL with the Muskegon Lumberjacks in December, he looked surprisingly unaffected by the missed time, collecting 17 points (10 goals, seven assists) in just 13 games while immediately re-establishing himself as a dangerous two-way presence.

Just weeks into the season, he made a rather unique decision and chose to make the jump to the NCAA and join Boston University for the second half of the year. It was a bold move for a draft-eligible player, especially one reacclimating himself in a return from injury. Ultimately, the transition came with mixed results, as Lawrence recorded just seven points (two goals, five assists) in 18 games. While there were flashes late in the year, with six of his points coming in the final five games, his offensive production never fully took off.

Still, there were enough positive signs to maintain intrigue. Lawrence finished tied for second on Team Canada at the U18 World Championships with six points in five games. While he did not dominate the event as some had hoped from a projected top-10 pick, he showed many of the same habits that made scouts excited in the first place.

His game is built on detail, pace, and intelligence away from the puck. Lawrence consistently disrupts plays, pressures puck carriers, and anticipates developing sequences extremely well. His defensive awareness and compete level form the backbone of his projection, and his skating and playmaking only strengthen that profile. He moves well in transition, tracks responsibly, and consistently puts himself in strong support positions.

Offensively, Lawrence may never become a dynamic top-line producer, but there is enough 200-foot upside to project meaningful value. He attacks the middle of the ice, can generate chances off the rush, and has shown flashes of finishing touch and playmaking ability. While the upside may no longer scream “franchise centre”, there remains a very real path for Lawrence to develop into a highly effective middle-six pivot capable of playing difficult minutes.

It’s going to be hard to ignore a player like Ethan Belchetz on day one of the NHL Draft. At 6-foot-5 and well over 220 pounds, the Windsor Spitfires winger immediately draws attention simply based on his frame. Add in soft hands, legitimate scoring touch, and flashes of high-end skill, and it becomes easy to understand why NHL teams remain fascinated by his upside.

Belchetz enjoyed a progressive OHL season as a second-year skater, finishing fourth on Windsor in scoring with 59 points in 57 games before a broken clavicle cut his year short. Despite the injury, he showed enough offensively to reinforce why he remains one of the more polarizing upside swings in the top half.

For a player his size, his puck skill is remarkably smooth. He handles the puck comfortably through traffic, creates space using his incredible reach, and can beat defenders one-on-one, combining that reach and touch rather than pure explosiveness. While he’s a complete handful at the net front, collecting tap-in and rebound goals aplenty, Belchetz also possesses a dangerous release from distance that makes him a threat in a variety of offensive situations.

Despite his massive frame, however, Belchetz does not always play with the aggression or force that teams would ideally like to see from a player built like a modern power forward. There are stretches where he settles around the perimeter rather than driving through defenders or imposing himself physically. If he eventually learns to consistently utilize his size and strength while maintaining his offensive touch, the ceiling becomes extremely exciting.

His skating also remains a work in progress, which is not uncommon for players with his frame. He likely never projects as a high-end skater, but even with average mobility, the combination of size, skill, and finishing ability creates a very enticing package.

Adam Novotny is a player who has quietly remained on this author’s radar for much of the season. When projecting middle-six power forwards capable of contributing offensively, his profile checks a lot of boxes.

The Czech winger made the jump to North America after being selected ninth overall in the 2024 CHL Import Draft and wasted little time adjusting to the OHL game. On a rebuilding Peterborough squad, he led the team in scoring as a rookie with 65 points in 58 games, immediately establishing himself as one of the more productive first-year imports in the league.

What stands out most in his game is the blend of competitiveness and scoring ability. Novotny thrives on the forecheck, consistently pressuring defenders into mistakes and battling through contact to extend possessions. While he doesn’t possess an overwhelming physical frame, he plays with enough strength and determination to win pucks, protect possession, and work his way into difficult areas of the ice.

Offensively, his shot is the clear driver of his projection. He carries one of the better releases in this year’s class, capable of beating goaltenders from distance or finishing quickly off the rush. That scoring touch gives him legitimate power play upside at the next level. While his playmaking leaves a bit to be desired, he has shown flashes of making quick reads and supporting plays effectively once defenders begin to respect his shot.

His skating projects as average rather than dynamic, but there are a few glaring concerns in his overall toolkit. He plays with enough pace to stay involved, and his motor consistently helps elevate the effectiveness of the rest of his game. Defensively, he competes hard, tracks back responsibly, and is willing to sacrifice for his team. Overall, Novotny feels like a relatively safe projection to become a middle-six winger capable of contributing secondary offence, providing special teams value, and bringing an honest, hardworking style that coaches tend to trust when the going gets tough.

Our previous draft prospect profiles: