logo
CanucksArmy has no direct affiliation to the Vancouver Canucks, Canucks Sports & Entertainment, NHL, or NHLPA
Lessons from the Canes and the reality of a Flames-Canucks draft day trade: Canucks Conversation
alt
Photo credit: © Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Clarke Corsan
Jun 16, 2026, 14:00 EDTUpdated: Jun 16, 2026, 13:29 EDT
Comments
On Monday’s episode of Canucks Conversation, David Quadrelli and Harman Dayal discussed what the Vancouver Canucks can learn from the Carolina Hurricanes’ organizational model before turning their attention to a potential draft-day trade with the Calgary Flames.
Quads pointed to Carolina as an example of what true organizational alignment looks like.
“If you want an example of organizational alignment, look at the Carolina Hurricanes from top to bottom,” Quads said. “How the message is set, the system is set, and every decision that is made from the top down is in line with that decision-making at the top of the organization.”
Harm agreed, noting that Carolina’s success is built on a level of continuity that is difficult to find elsewhere in the NHL.
“It’s that level of continuity that’s so rare in this NHL and when you look at how the Hurricanes won, it’s different and unique compared to most teams,” Harm said. “They don’t have a superstar leading the way; their best players on paper, in Aho, Jarvis, and Svechnikov, only combined for one five-on-five goal in the series.
“They have elite-level depth from top to bottom up front and on the back end. We’re used to looking at teams’ forward group and being able to identify first, second, third, and fourth lines. When you look at Carolina’s top-nine construction, all three of their lines are so balanced that when Aho’s line underwhelmed most of the postseason, their second and third lines are so strong it doesn’t really matter.”
Harm also pointed to the Hurricanes’ consistency behind the bench and in the front office as a major factor in their success.
“They don’t have a Makar or Hughes calibre guy back there,” Harm said. “But because they have such a distinct playing style and so much continuity from having the same coach, system, structure for so many years, that front office is able to identify players they’re able to get more out of compared to their past organizations. K’Andre Miller is a good example of that. He was a completely different player in New York.”

The reality of a Canucks-Flames draft day swap

The conversation later shifted to the upcoming draft and whether the Canucks could consider moving down from third overall in a deal with the Calgary Flames.
The proposed scenario would see Vancouver move back to sixth overall while adding Calgary’s 35th overall pick with the Flames moving up the third with the Canucks’ pick.
Quads believes there could be legitimate interest from both sides.
“I think yes,” Quads said. “There could be a real desire from the Flames to not have to make all those draft picks at this draft and instead move up. It makes sense for the Flames and I think it makes sense for the Canucks, where you pick a high-upside guy who might fall a bit in the draft in Bjorck, and if he’s gone, you go get a defenceman you like.
“We’ve talked about how one and two  [McKenna and Stenberg] are a clear tier above everyone else and the next tier is three to ten where all these guys are slotting in all over the place.”
Harm was more open to the idea if Ivar Stenberg is already off the board, but he doesn’t believe Calgary’s second-round pick alone would be enough compensation.
“It depends if Stenberg falls to three,” Harm said. “If McKenna and Stenberg are both gone, I’d consider it but I’d want more than just the 35th pick [from Calgary]. In general, the idea of moving down is not one I’m opposed to. A single second-round pick isn’t enough to entice me versus picking the highest available player on the board.
“It’s a divisional rival as well, so it’s going to be pricey. Those top-three picks rarely get moved. We see teams trading up and throwing in extra picks to get a draft pick in the teens or back half of the first round, but when we’re talking about a top-three selection there’s got to be a premium on it.”
Harm also noted that the significance of the pick itself should increase Vancouver’s asking price.
“Even from an organizational perspective, selling the fanbase and giving them hope,” Harm said. “Given the stakes, this being the highest they’ve drafted since the Sedin draft, it’s not going to be a cheap price for Vancouver to get off that third pick.”
Whether the Canucks ultimately stay put or explore moving down, the organization appears to be in a position where maximizing the value of such a significant draft asset will be one of the biggest decisions they make this summer.
You can watch the full replay of the show below!
Sponsored by bet365
Canucks ConversationShows
MORE NEWS. IN YOUR INBOX.
CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

Breaking News