On today’s episode of <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/shows">Canucks Conversation</a>, David Quadrelli and Harman Dayal were joined by Dave Hall to recap <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/combinations">Abbotsford</a>’s incredible <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/jpat-6-final-thoughts-abbotsford-canucks-claim-calder-cup">Calder Cup championship run</a> and preview what the Canucks might do at the 2025 NHL Entry Draft later this week.
Reflecting on Abbotsford’s championship-clinching win, Hall said: “What a ride. You never would’ve thought for a team sitting seventh or eighth in the Pacific Division, that on June 24th we’d be talking about a Calder Cup victory. It’s an incredible run and a real testament to Manny Malhotra, and last night’s game personified him to a tee. All three goals were driven by 50/50 puck battle wins, and it was a perfectly paced game. Great run, congrats to everyone and you couldn’t find a better team to root for.”
Hall credited Abbotsford’s team-wide contributions across five rounds of playoff hockey. “Overall, their sheer depth got them through. If it wasn’t the Bains-Karlsson line- which of course it was for most of the final, they combined for 19 points in the last five games- if it wasn’t them, it was another line stepping up. <a href="https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=191200">Chase Wouters</a>, the defence, <a href="https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=188659">Tristan Nielsen</a>&#8211; any given game, there was a different player or two stepping up, and that includes <a href="https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=225170">Arturs Silovs</a> who pretty much bailed them out every game and was MVP for a reason.”
The development impact of the run is what Hall sees as a major takeaway for the Canucks organization. “It’s an intriguing development for the big club. All those players got that incredible experience on their resume now. Guys like <a href="https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=218851">Ty Mueller</a>, <a href="https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=244123">Jonathan Lekkerimaki</a>, <a href="https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=248720">Kirill Kudryavtsev</a>&#8211; not only going through their first playoff run but their first North American pro hockey experience- and they go all the way to a five-round Calder Cup victory. That’s going to be invaluable.”
Hall added that some of those names might push for NHL time next season. “Guys like <a href="https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=209974">Linus Karlsson</a> are going to be given a chance next year after this run, Arshdeep Bains as well. I don’t know if we’re going to see Ty Mueller or Kirill Kudryavtsev with Vancouver, but overall, it’s a good indictment on a few players that could make it.”
Looking ahead to the draft, Hall noted the Canucks should still be able to land a solid player with the 15th pick. “The Rangers deciding to forego their pick this year, giving it to the Penguins who now pick 11th and 12th- it just shows the Rangers think next year’s draft will be more intriguing. Whether they tank or not, next year is more of a top-heavy draft. The Canucks at 15 will still get a good player. Whoever they get there will probably slide in as a top two or three prospect in their pool.”
Still, Hall doesn’t see the 2025 class as overflowing with elite upside outside the top few picks. “Looking at a guy like <a href="https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=265087">Braeden Cootes</a> or <a href="https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=263186">Cole Reschny</a>, you’re probably looking at a second-line ceiling. Still a good player, but definitely a bit lacklustre in terms of top pedigree.”
As for potential fits at 15th overall, Hall has a favourite: “Braeden Cootes is my number one target for the Canucks if they use their first-round pick and he’s available. He’s a right-shot, gritty centre who can put the puck in the net. There’s plenty about his game fans would love, so he’s an easy target.”
He also mentioned another name to watch: “If you’re going for more hard-skill, <a href="https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=264854">Justin Carbonneau</a> has some of the softest hands in the draft with power forward elements in his game, so he’s also a player you target- although he’s not a centre. Because there are so many centres available in this draft, I think you kinda have to go right-shot centre which is why I like Braeden Cootes.”
Hall hopes the Canucks keep their first-round pick, though he acknowledges there are intriguing second-round options too- if more raw. “My go-to target in the second round is a guy named <a href="https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=292148">Mason West</a>. He’s a ranked quarterback as well for college football but made the decision to stick with hockey. He’s a 6’6” right-shot centre who skates really well. Intriguing qualities, but he’s still very raw. I wouldn’t mind them taking a chance on him in the second round. He just announced he’s going to Michigan State with Anthony Romani too.”
With the NHL Draft just days away, Hall sees this as a pivotal week for the Canucks’ future. The club has momentum coming off Abbotsford’s championship- and now it’s up to the front office to build on it.
You can watch the full segment below:
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Tune in for The Sheet Draft Special, streaming live on the Daily Faceoff YouTube channel on Friday, June 27th at 7 PM EST. Hosted by Jeff Marek, this live special will cover all the action from the 2025 Draft, including expert analysis of top prospects, team-by-team breakdowns, and real-time reactions to every pick. Whether you&#8217;re tracking your team’s future stars or just love the drama of draft night, this is your go-to destination for all things Draft.

On today’s episode of <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/shows">Canucks Conversation</a>, David Quadrelli and Harman Dayal were joined by Dave Hall to recap <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/combinations">Abbotsford</a>’s incredible <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/jpat-6-final-thoughts-abbotsford-canucks-claim-calder-cup">Calder Cup championship run</a> and preview what the Canucks might do at the 2025 NHL Entry Draft later this week.

Reflecting on Abbotsford’s championship-clinching win, Hall said: “What a ride. You never would’ve thought for a team sitting seventh or eighth in the Pacific Division, that on June 24th we’d be talking about a Calder Cup victory. It’s an incredible run and a real testament to Manny Malhotra, and last night’s game personified him to a tee. All three goals were driven by 50/50 puck battle wins, and it was a perfectly paced game. Great run, congrats to everyone and you couldn’t find a better team to root for.”

Hall credited Abbotsford’s team-wide contributions across five rounds of playoff hockey. “Overall, their sheer depth got them through. If it wasn’t the Bains-Karlsson line- which of course it was for most of the final, they combined for 19 points in the last five games- if it wasn’t them, it was another line stepping up. <a href="https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=191200">Chase Wouters</a>, the defence, <a href="https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=188659">Tristan Nielsen</a>- any given game, there was a different player or two stepping up, and that includes <a href="https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=225170">Arturs Silovs</a> who pretty much bailed them out every game and was MVP for a reason.”

The development impact of the run is what Hall sees as a major takeaway for the Canucks organization. “It’s an intriguing development for the big club. All those players got that incredible experience on their resume now. Guys like <a href="https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=218851">Ty Mueller</a>, <a href="https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=244123">Jonathan Lekkerimaki</a>, <a href="https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=248720">Kirill Kudryavtsev</a>- not only going through their first playoff run but their first North American pro hockey experience- and they go all the way to a five-round Calder Cup victory. That’s going to be invaluable.”

Hall added that some of those names might push for NHL time next season. “Guys like <a href="https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=209974">Linus Karlsson</a> are going to be given a chance next year after this run, Arshdeep Bains as well. I don’t know if we’re going to see Ty Mueller or Kirill Kudryavtsev with Vancouver, but overall, it’s a good indictment on a few players that could make it.”

Looking ahead to the draft, Hall noted the Canucks should still be able to land a solid player with the 15th pick. “The Rangers deciding to forego their pick this year, giving it to the Penguins who now pick 11th and 12th- it just shows the Rangers think next year’s draft will be more intriguing. Whether they tank or not, next year is more of a top-heavy draft. The Canucks at 15 will still get a good player. Whoever they get there will probably slide in as a top two or three prospect in their pool.”

Still, Hall doesn’t see the 2025 class as overflowing with elite upside outside the top few picks. “Looking at a guy like <a href="https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=265087">Braeden Cootes</a> or <a href="https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=263186">Cole Reschny</a>, you’re probably looking at a second-line ceiling. Still a good player, but definitely a bit lacklustre in terms of top pedigree.”

As for potential fits at 15th overall, Hall has a favourite: “Braeden Cootes is my number one target for the Canucks if they use their first-round pick and he’s available. He’s a right-shot, gritty centre who can put the puck in the net. There’s plenty about his game fans would love, so he’s an easy target.”

He also mentioned another name to watch: “If you’re going for more hard-skill, <a href="https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=264854">Justin Carbonneau</a> has some of the softest hands in the draft with power forward elements in his game, so he’s also a player you target- although he’s not a centre. Because there are so many centres available in this draft, I think you kinda have to go right-shot centre which is why I like Braeden Cootes.”

Hall hopes the Canucks keep their first-round pick, though he acknowledges there are intriguing second-round options too- if more raw. “My go-to target in the second round is a guy named <a href="https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=292148">Mason West</a>. He’s a ranked quarterback as well for college football but made the decision to stick with hockey. He’s a 6’6” right-shot centre who skates really well. Intriguing qualities, but he’s still very raw. I wouldn’t mind them taking a chance on him in the second round. He just announced he’s going to Michigan State with Anthony Romani too.”

With the NHL Draft just days away, Hall sees this as a pivotal week for the Canucks’ future. The club has momentum coming off Abbotsford’s championship- and now it’s up to the front office to build on it.

You can watch the full segment below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LKVJKMeB_4

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@daily_faceoff"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-144935" src="https://publish.canucksarmy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/Draft2025-TheSheet_promo-727x404-1.png" alt="" width="728" height="404" /></a>

Tune in for The Sheet Draft Special, streaming live on the Daily Faceoff YouTube channel on Friday, June 27th at 7 PM EST. Hosted by Jeff Marek, this live special will cover all the action from the 2025 Draft, including expert analysis of top prospects, team-by-team breakdowns, and real-time reactions to every pick. Whether you're tracking your team’s future stars or just love the drama of draft night, this is your go-to destination for all things Draft.

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