While third overall still represents a premium asset, the result dramatically altered the organization’s level of control near the top of the board. In a draft class widely viewed as having a clear upper tier, Vancouver is no longer guaranteed access to a player who most believe can immediately change the franchise’s direction.

Now, instead of sporting a smooth runway to the draft podium, more debate must be had as to where to go from here. Do the Canucks stay patient and simply select whichever player falls to them at third overall? Or does management aggressively explore ways to regain control of the draft and select one of the draft’s two premium options?

It’s no secret that the Vancouver Canucks could use a pinch of everything, and the focus should be on accumulating enough picks to throw as many darts as possible. But it’s just as important to land major difference-makers for the future. Especially upfront. While this draft may contain a few hits later on, there appear to be just two names that get you as close to a guarantee in that area, both of whom slide out of contention past the number two selection.

At the end of the day, draft-day trades that include a top-five pick are extremely rare. But that’s not to say it cannot happen with the right circumstances.

Why would SJ do it?

Ironically enough, the San Jose Sharks’ moving up seven spots to secure the second-overall pick may have created the best possible scenario for Vancouver outside of winning the lottery itself. The Sharks are no longer operating like a rebuilding organization desperate to accumulate youthful talent. Macklin Celebrini already appears to be the face of the franchise, and Will Smith continues to trend toward becoming a high-end NHL contributor, all while the team maintains one of the deepest prospect pools in hockey.

Eventually, rebuilding teams reach the point where simply adding skill is no longer the priority, and the focus shifts toward building a structure around the young talent already in place. And San Jose may be approaching that point.

That becomes especially relevant when examining the organization’s long-term defensive outlook.

As things currently stand, the Sharks only have Dmitri Orlov (LHD), Sam Dickinson (LHD) and Luca Cagnoni (LHD) signed beyond the 2025-26 season and ready to play NHL minutes, while Shakir Mukhamadullin (LHD) remains a restricted free agent. The team also recently signed one of their top defensive prospects, Eric Pohlkamp (RHD), out of the University of Denver, and there is a good chance that he plays in relatively short order. Even so, there are legitimate long-term questions surrounding the future of San Jose’s blueline.

Because of that, there is a very real possibility that the Sharks use the second-overall selection to address the position directly. And if they do, Vancouver may not need to move at all, and all this turmoil is moot. Should San Jose prioritize one of the elite defencemen near the top of the draft, it would leave a player like Ivar Stenberg, or potentially even Gavin McKenna, available for the Canucks at third overall.

That outcome would clearly represent the cleanest possible scenario for Vancouver. And yet, if Vancouver believes there is meaningful separation between the player available at second overall and the player likely to remain at third, standing pat becomes far riskier.

So while there will be undeniable complications in making a transaction of this nature, it’s incredibly important that the Canucks at least consider it. For now, it’s about landing as many high-end pieces as possible, and the ability to draft one of Gavin McKenna or Ivar Stenberg at the top of this year’s draft is an action that should be taken.

Why it makes sense for the Canucks

The Canucks currently possess two first-round selections, a pair of second-round selections — including San Jose’s own second-round pick — and additional mid-round draft capital that includes three sixth-round picks. If Vancouver’s front office identifies Stenberg or McKenna as a true cornerstone piece, then packaging additional assets to move from third to second overall becomes far easier to justify.

And realistically, the framework would not need to become overly complicated.

A deal centred around the third-overall selection plus additional draft capital could make sense for both sides if San Jose views the top prospects as belonging to a similar tier. The Sharks would still land an elite talent, likely at a position of targeted organizational need, while extracting additional value from moving back one spot.

But there is also a far more aggressive path available to Vancouver, and that is where Filip Hronek enters the discussion.

At first glance, the idea sounds extreme. Hronek carries a no-move clause, meaning any deal would require his approval, and the Canucks’ current regime has consistently viewed him as a major piece and valued veteran of the organization’s core.

But with a new management group preparing to take over, there is at least a possibility that Hronek — and his contract — could be viewed differently.

Because if Vancouver truly believes this draft presents an opportunity to secure multiple franchise-altering pieces, the conversation should be about how to make it happen with any assets necessary, rather than whether it is too aggressive.

Instead of simply moving from third to second overall, the Canucks could theoretically explore acquiring the second-overall pick outright while retaining their own selection at third. In that scenario, Hronek likely becomes the centrepiece of the package alongside additional futures or draft capital.

From San Jose’s perspective, the logic is at least understandable.

Rather than selecting a defenceman who may still be years away, the Sharks would acquire a proven top-four right-shot NHL defender firmly in his prime at a manageable $7.25 million cap hit. Hronek would immediately stabilize San Jose’s blue line while easing pressure on younger defenders stepping into larger NHL roles.

For Vancouver, however, the upside would be enormous.

Holding both the second- and third-overall picks would give the organization an opportunity to reshape its future in a single night. The chance to add two high-end talents to a prospect pool suddenly searching for long-term star power is difficult to ignore.

And honestly, aside from, let’s say, Braeden Cootes, virtually every asset in the organization should be on the table if management truly believes this draft contains multiple cornerstone players.

So what is the right path?

Do the Canucks remain patient and trust the board to fall in their favour? Do they aggressively move up one spot to secure the player they covet most? Or do they attempt something far bolder and pursue multiple elite assets at the very top of the draft?

For an organization whose most iconic draft-day moment resulted in the acquisitions of Daniel and Henrik Sedin, aggressively targeting preferred players near the top of the board is hardly unfamiliar territory.

Of course, history has a way of making bold decisions look easier in hindsight. The most likely outcome remains the simplest one: Vancouver stays at third overall and selects whichever player falls into its lap.

But if the Canucks truly believe this draft can change their future, now is the time to be aggressive. And if the organization’s next general manager wants to make an immediate statement, their first phone call should probably be to Mike Grier.

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