The Vancouver Canucks have officially clinched the 32nd spot in the NHL standings, securing the best odds (25.5%) at the first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.

Assuming no major moves are made at the podium, the organization holds 10 draft picks and a crucial opportunity to restock a prospect pool that has begun to thin out. With that in mind, we continue our draft profile series.

While the primary focus will remain on players within Vancouver’s likely selection range, we’ll also highlight several notable names over the coming months to provide a full picture of this year’s class.

Today, we turn our attention to one of this year’s most dynamic players within the entire draft class from the backend.

If you thought this draft lacked consensus at the top, the conversation around third overall is enough to make you rip your hair out.

For much of the season, that spot has been a revolving door of names. Now, Chase Reid has firmly established himself as one of the premier candidates — and it’s easy to see why.

Just one season ago, the Michigan-born defender began his draft-minus-one season at the Junior A level. That stint lasted only 18 games before he made the jump midseason to the Soo Greyhounds, who originally selected him 125th overall in the OHL Priority Draft.

For most 16/17-year-old defencemen, that transition can be daunting. But Reid made it look relatively routine. After a modest start, he quickly found his footing and went on to record 40 points in just 39 games, doubling the production of any other rookie defenceman while leading all rookie skaters in assists (33).

He immediately established himself as one of the Soo’s top defenders, averaging roughly 24 minutes per night, and hasn’t looked back since. Now, in his draft year, Reid has taken another step while playing big minutes for the team (averaging 27 minutes and reaching high 30s). Despite missing time due to injury, he finished with 48 points (18 goals, 30 assists) in 45 games. His 1.07 points-per-game ranked second among OHL defencemen, while his 18 goals placed him in a tie for fourth among the defensive field.

On the international stage, he was a fixture on Team USA’s blueline at the World Juniors, logging top-four minutes and co-leading the defensive group with four points in five games. And whether it was that performance or not, he appears to already be on Vancouver’s radar as a name Canucks fans should get familiar with.

In a recent article at The Athletic, Thomas Drance reported: “One draft-eligible player that I’m increasingly hearing Vancouver is potentially excited about, however, is Soo Greyhounds defender Chase Reid.”

Reid fits the mould of the modern NHL defenceman: mobile, aggressive, and capable of dictating play from the back end. And as a right-shot defender, his value is at a premium.

His game is built on elite mobility. He navigates the ice effortlessly, using strong edges, fluid skating and speed to create space and control pace. He’s a high-tempo player who thrives in transition and consistently looks to push the game forward.

There is no arguing that Reid is one of the best puck retrievers and transporters in this draft class. He’s comfortable going back for pucks under pressure and has the confidence to carry them the full 200 feet on his own. Whether he’s leading the rush or jumping into it as a fourth forward, he’s constantly involved in driving play.

Once in the offensive zone, his patience and composure with the puck are incredible to watch. He walks the blue line with ease, using his hands and edges to manipulate defenders and open lanes. Equipped with high-end hockey IQ, he has a layered offensive toolkit that makes him a dual threat as both a shooter and a playmaker.

While his playmaking is strong, it’s his shot that is considered his major weapon. With a quick, deceptive release, he can beat goaltenders clean from distance and is equally dangerous as a one-timer option from the flank. He’s not limited to the perimeter either, as Reid will attack downhill, using his hands and body positioning to get into high-danger areas.

And if the lane isn’t there, he creates it. Using pump fakes and lateral movement, he breaks down defensive structure. Once he’s opened up the lane, he has no issue dropping his shoulder and driving in toward the net to use his hands in tight.

He’s capable of generating offence from virtually anywhere on the ice, and his shot chart is one of the busiest you’ll see from a defender.

And if he’s not shooting, he’s facilitating. Reid keeps his head up, making quick cross-ice passes and executing give-and-go plays to keep the puck moving and the defence off balance. He thinks the game at a high rate and can slow it down, suck defenders in, and make decisive, assertive plays.

At 6-foot-2 and 188 pounds, Reid has the size to support his style and tons of room to grow throughout the next few years. While he isn’t a punishing physical presence, he plays with enough bite and uses an active stick to disrupt plays. There’s room for him to grow, but he carries all the capabilities of forming into a more complete two-way defender down the road.

Of course, he’s not a perfect player, and there are definite areas to refine. Reid’s aggressive style can work against him, and his tendency to activate and play as a rover can leave him exposed defensively, forcing him into scrambled recovery situations. There are moments when his positioning can drift, leading to lapses in coverage. While his skating allows him to recover more often than not, that risk-reward balance will need attention as he climbs higher levels.

While his IQ in the offensive zone is near flawless, his puck decisions in his own end can also be inconsistent. While he’s one of the OHL’s premier retrievers and transitional players, that same aggressiveness can lead to turnovers. Though we admit that this has improved as the season has progressed.

Going forward, the path to success feels more about refinement over reinvention. He’ll need to simplify at times and develop more consistent habits, but it’s important to do so without sacrificing the dynamic elements that make him special.

At the end of the day, there’s little debate about his pure upside. Chase Reid has the tools to become a number-one defenceman at the NHL level and a player who quarterbacks your top power play for years to come. His ability to dictate play, combined with his skating and offensive instincts, gives him one of the highest ceilings in this draft class. Even with the defensive question marks, the foundation is strong, and it’s a give-and-take you are probably willing to live with.

He will join Vancouver Canucks prospect Anthony Romani at Michigan State in 2026-27, where he will have the chance to showcase himself among a higher class of competition and his most direct draft-positional comparable.

Reid has been jockeying with Keaton Verhoeff, who is an incredible option in his own right, for the top defenceman in this year’s class. But if high-end skating and pure offence are what you’re after, Reid may be your guy. If he isn’t the first defenceman selected in June, you won’t wait long before his name is called.