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NHL Draft: 5 forwards the Canucks might select with the pick from the Quinn Hughes trade
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Photo credit: The Nation Network | Steven Ellis
Dave Hall
Dec 20, 2025, 16:30 ESTUpdated: Dec 20, 2025, 16:22 EST
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The Vancouver Canucks are entering uncharted territory.
No, we’re not talking about the reality of moving on without the help of Quinn Hughes. You see, the Vancouver Canucks acquired the Minnesota Wild’s (unprotected) 2026 first-round pick as part of the momentous trade that sent their former captain to the State of Hockey. Assuming they keep both selections, it would mark the first time since 2014 that the Canucks pick twice in the first round.
With the Canucks currently occupying the 30th spot in the NHL standings, we’ve already compiled a list of names at the top end of the draft. But what about that second pick?
It’s still early, and projecting exact draft positions months in advance always comes with its challenges. At the time of this article, however, the Wild sit fourth overall in the NHL and carry a 97.9 percent chance of making the playoffs according to MoneyPuck.com. While standings will shift, the expectation is that this pick lands somewhere in the back half of the first round, likely in the 15–32 range.
With rankings still volatile and plenty of runway left for prospects to move, here are a handful of forwards worth keeping an eye on should the Canucks look to maximize value with that unprotected first-round selection. No, not all will be available, and some may even catapult into spots out of reach. But given the potential for multiple picks, we are covering all our bases this year.
Adam Novotny, LW/RW
Shoots: Left | Height: 6’1″| Weight: 205 lbs | Age: 18 (November 13, 2007)| Birthplace: Hradec Kralove, Czechia
Draft eligible or not, certain players immediately look pro-ready. Adam Novotny, a sizeable winger from Czechia, fits that description. At 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, his game comes with a ton of size that is complemented by fluid skating and a hefty release.
Selected ninth overall by the Peterborough Petes in the 2024 CHL Import Draft, Novotny has burst onto the OHL scene, posting 19 goals and 35 points in just 29 games to lead his team. Beyond the production and obvious size advantage, it’s his competitive edge that stands out most. He works hard on pucks, drives the middle of the ice, and finishes plays with a legitimate release.
Novotny plays with pace and purpose, and his versatility gives him a strong chance to climb draft boards as the season progresses. There’s a realistic scenario where he plays himself out of the 15–32 range entirely. But if he’s still available, the Canucks could grab some serious value here.
Oscar Hemming, F
Shoots: Left | Height: 6’4″| Weight: 196 lbs | Age: 17 (August 13, 2008)| Birthplace: Vaasa, Finland
Oscar Hemming – brother of Dallas Stars prospect Emil – carries one of the most unusual draft-eligible situations you’ll find. Selected in the first round (56th overall) of the 2025 CHL Import Draft by the Kitchener Rangers, Hemming was set to make the move to the OHL before contractual complications with his Finnish club, Kiekko-Espoo, halted his season.
With legal action blocking his transfer and IIHF restrictions preventing a temporary move to the BCHL, his season was left in limbo, and he has yet to play a single game. The situation now appears resolved, with Hemming expected to join Boston College in the new year, finally providing him with a stage to continue his development.
From a scouting perspective, there’s plenty to like. Like Novotny (above), Hemming brings a towering frame, strong skating for his size, and flashes of finesse that complement his power-forward build.
Before the contractual issues arose, he dominated Finland’s U18 circuit. Posting 63 points in 31 games, he co-led the league and destroyed all full-time members with a 2.03 point-per-game clip. Punching well above that competition, he earned himself a promotion to the U20 level, where he added another 10 points in 18 games. He followed that up with nine points in 13 playoff games to finish with a silver medal. What a year it was.
There is legitimate NHL upside here, with the ability to play in varying roles throughout a lineup. Given his limited exposure this season, Hemming could be one of the more realistic value swings available in the range of Minnesota’s pick.
J.P. Hurlbert, F
Shoots: Right | Height: 6’0″| Weight: 183 lbs | Age: 17 (April 11, 2008)| Birthplace: Allen, Texas, USA
Shifting from power to pure offence, J.P. Hurlbert presents one of the more intriguing boom-or-bust profiles in the class.
After leaving the U.S. National Development Program and the USHL, Hurlbert joined the Kamloops Blazers for his draft year and hasn’t looked back. At the time of writing, he leads the WHL in scoring and is on pace for a remarkable 113-point season and has firmly placed himself in early Player of the Year conversations.
The offensive toolkit is obvious. Hurlbert thrives with the puck, showcasing control, creativity, and a dangerous release. The question, and the reason he could be available in the latter half of the first round, lies in the peripheries of his game.
Concerns around his off-puck engagement, defensive detail, and overall skating remain valid. Selecting Hurlbert would be a bet that hinges on whether his elite offensive ceiling outweighs the uncertainty of his floor. For teams comfortable with gambling on upside, the reward could pay out high dividends.
Caleb Malhotra, C
Shoots: Left | Height: 6’2″| Weight: 183 lbs | Age: 17 (June 2, 2008)| Birthplace: Toronto, Canada
Given the obvious ties to the Canucks, are we slightly biased toward this pick? Of course. But Caleb Malhotra has put together a very compelling argument that merits consideration in the first round.
The son of Abbotsford Canucks head coach Manny Malhotra, Caleb mirrors much of his father’s on-ice identity. He plays a reliable, honest game built on effort, structure, and two-way detail. That approach has translated into production, as he sits with 44 points (17 goals, 27 assists), leading all OHL rookies and ranking fourth league-wide behind established drafted prospects like Jake O’Brien.
While his faceoff numbers (45.9%) remain a work in progress as a first-year skater, he grades out as an A-level skater, a dependable and pure two-way centre, and a high-character player. He was named captain of Team CHL against the U.S. NTDP, where he centred the top line.
He’s already been named OHL Rookie of the Week three times this season. Meanwhile, his gaudy production and steady upward trajectory could very well mean that he’s out of reach come draft day. Today you’ll find him ranked anywhere from 13-32, with Sportsnet’s Jason Bukula placing him as high as fifth on his ranks. With tons of runway left, there is a strong reality that sees his draft stock rise with vengeance.
Viggo Björck, C/RW
Shoots: Right | Height: 5’10″| Weight: 172 lbs | Age: 17 (March 12, 2008)| Birthplace: Stockholm, Sweden
Every draft has its own version of a player that carries this smaller-framed archetype. This year, that player is Viggo Björck. While his toolkit screams top-10 pick, his slight frame is a typical profile that we see drop on draft day every year. Look no further than Victor Eklund (New York Islanders) from last year’s draft.
The younger brother of Canucks prospect Wilson Björck, the pair dominated the J20 level together last season. Viggo led the league with 74 (!) points (27 goals, 47 assists) in just 42 games. He added another 15 in nine games en route to a league championship.
This year, he’s taken on the challenge of playing in the SHL as a 17-year-old and has held his own. He leaves for the World Juniors ranked second among draft-eligible skaters with eight points in 24 games, trailing only his Swedish teammate, Ivar Stenberg.
Björck brings high-end offensive instincts, crafty hands, and a natural scoring touch. The concerns are real — his size and merely average skating raise legitimate questions about NHL translation — but from a pure skill perspective, he remains one of the most gifted players in the class.
Considering the Canucks already own a potential high-end pick, they could use their second to push their chips in and bank on skill. If available, there aren’t too many with a higher pedigree at this point in the first round if you can look past the caveats.
While the top of the draft will understandably dominate conversation, the Canucks’ second first-round pick may prove just as important. Whether it’s a pro-ready winger, a power forward with upside, a high-risk scorer, or a dependable two-way centre, this selection offers Vancouver a chance to add another meaningful piece to its emerging core.
Are there any players that have piqued our interest in the first round? Don’t worry if we’ve missed any names; we will continue to add them to the 2026 draft as the season progresses.

READ NEXT: NHL Draft: Who sits at the top of the 2026 class if the Canucks pick there?

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