What are Mock Drafts Saying About the Vancouver Canucks?
By J.D. Burke
7 years agoThe Vancouver Canucks have the fifth overall selection in this year’s draft, which is the highest such selection since snagging the Sedins in 1999. So understandably, the organization and their fans alike are abuzz with the news.
Part of the fun is figuring out how to spend that pick. Or better still, how the Canucks will spend the selection. To the Canucks credit, they’ve been relatively open about their intentions at the draft. If you follow the cookie crumb trail, you can see the players they’ve fallen in and out of love with at that spot.
I remember a time when Jakob Chychrun was their guy. From what I can gather now, he’s not even in their top three… defenceman. The organization loves Olli Juolevi, though. So too do they appear to covet Pierre-Luc Dubois, a player that Canucks General Manager Jim Benning scouted extensively before going to the U18 World Hockey Championships. I’ve never bought into their interest in Matthew Tkachuk personally, but everything they’ve said publically suggests he’s another player they’re considering.
The Canucks may be short on draft picks, but they certainly aren’t short on options. To try and clear the air, let’s see where the experts have them landing in Buffalo.
Date: June 22
Previous four picks: Auston Matthews, Patrik Laine, Jesse Puljujarvi, Matthew Tkachuk
Canucks selection: Pierre-Luc Dubois
The Vancouver Canucks are up next at No. 5 and are poised to take power forward Pierre-Luc Dubois, whose power/skill combination reminds me of Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn.
For a time it appeared as though the Canucks wouldn’t get a shot at drafting Dubois. Then Matthew Tkachuk destroyed the OHL Playoffs and led the London Knights to a Memorial Cup. Which is probably better for everyone involved. The Canucks have yet to find the heir apparent to Henrik Sedin. Enter Dubois and their long-term outlook down the middle of their lineup is looking good.
Date: June 21
Previous four picks: Auston Matthews, Patrik Laine, Jesse Puljujarvi, Matthew Tkachuk
Canucks selection: Olli Juolevi
I don’t think there’s much that separates Juolevi and Sergachev, but most scouts lean to Juolevi. Juolevi plays a game that’s more heady than showy—because he makes the right read almost instantly, he gets out of jams and makes it look almost too easy. Great ability to make the first pass.
The Canucks haven’t taken a defenceman in the first round of the draft since taking Luc Bourdon in 2005. The lack of a true game breaker in their defensive prospect pool stands as proof. Juolevi’s skill set doesn’t lend itself to taking over games, but he’s an excellent transitional defenceman all the same. I think he’s a few years away from the NHL, but wouldn’t rule out that one day he develops into a first-pairing defender.
Date: June 23
Previous four picks: Auston Matthews, Patrik Laine, Jesse Puljujarvi, Matthew Tkachuk
Canucks selection: Pierre-Luc Dubois
“He’s a complete, 200-foot player. He’s opportunistic in the offensive zone…equally comfortable taking the shot or making the play. A tenacious defender who reads the play quickly and makes good decisions away from the puck.”
Date: June 21
Previous four picks: Auston Matthews, Patrik Laine, Jesse Puljujarvi, Pierre-Luc Dubois
Canucks selection: Matthew Tkachuk
The Vancouver Canucks need, well, everything, so choosing the best player available at this juncture is obvious. Memorial Cup heroics aside, Matthew Tkachuk had no trouble getting acclimated to the highly competitive OHL this season. While not presently a 200-foot player, his offensive game is advanced, and he already has the build of a power forward who should only become more effective in that role as he matures.
Read more at http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/139275/2016-nhl-draft-hockeys-future-staff-mock-draft/#YBbPtg9QtlYXdjcu.99
Tkachuk works his way back into the conversation with this selection. The Canucks don’t necessarily have a long-term need at left-wing, but if Dubois isn’t available to the Canucks, Tkachuk is an apt choice as the next best player available.
Date: June 16
Previous four picks: Auston Matthews, Patrik Laine, Jesse Puljujarvi, Matthew Tkachuk
Canucks selection: Pierre-Luc Dubois
This youngster has added 40 pounds of muscle and two inches in height over two years. Very complete player.
Date: June 17
Previous four picks: Auston Matthews, Patrik Laine, Jesse Puljujarvi, Matthew Tkachuk
Canucks selection: Mikhail Sergachyov
Not exactly a secret the Canucks need help on the back end and picking up Sergachev goes a long way in addressing that. Only question is if he starts next season in the NHL or goes back to the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL.
If the Canucks have to take a defenceman, Mikhail Sergachyov should be their guy. There isn’t a better defenceman in this draft. Sergachyov can skate, pass and hit. He’s excellent in transition and can quarterback a power play with ease. He’s also a right side defender, in spite of his lefthandedness.
Date: June 20
Previous four picks: Auston Matthews, Patrik Laine, Pierre-Luc Dubois, Matthew Tkachuk
Canucks selection: Jesse Puljujarvi
He’s a big right shot winger who competes at both ends of the ice. Slight slippage due to thoughts about his hockey IQ.
If Jesse Puljujarvi is available at fifth overall, the Canucks had best take it and run. He can play as soon as next season and will likely be a key cog in the Canucks top six for years to come. Puljujarvi was the third-ranked prospect in the Nations Network Prospect Profiles, so securing him with the fifth overall selection would represent value added.
Yours Truly on TSN1260 on Lowdown with Lowetide
If you skip to about the 24:30 mark you can catch my comments on the Canucks and what they plan to do at the draft.
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