The 2026 NHL Scouting Combine gets underway this week in Buffalo, New York, with the top draft-eligible players present for interviews, fitness tests, and evaluations.

According to a report from Donnie and Dhali – the Team‘s Rick Dhaliwal, the Vancouver Canucks will be speaking with defenceman Chase Reid at dinner on Thursday night. Per Dhaliwal, the team also plans to speak with top-ranked international winger Ivar Stenberg.

After falling two spots in the draft lottery, the Canucks are set to pick third overall in this year’s NHL Draft. While the Toronto Maple Leafs are expected to take Penn State’s Gavin McKenna at first overall, things become less certain from there, meaning Vancouver could go a lot of ways with their pick.

Reid is the highest-ranked North American defender available in this year’s draft. The 18-year-old registered 18 goals and 30 assists with the Ontario Hockey League’s Soo Greyhounds this past season in just his second year with the team. Reid is currently listed at 6-foot-3, 195 lbs. Given the San Jose Sharks’ need for a top defensive prospect, some mock drafts have Reid going at second overall.

Meanwhile, Stenberg is a highly-touted playmaking winger, who some argue should be considered as high as first overall. This season in the Swedish Hockey League, Stenberg registered 11 goals and 33 points in 43 games, the most points by an 18-year-old in the league since Daniel and Henrik Sedin nearly 30 years ago.

Right now, most mock drafts have the Canucks targeting Brantford Bulldogs centre Caleb Malhotra at third overall. Malhotra, the son of new Canucks head coach Manny Malhotra, had 29 goals and 84 points in 67 OHL games this year. The 18-year-old Toronto native is committed to Boston University for the upcoming season.

The NHL Draft is scheduled to kick off at 4 p.m. PT on Friday, June 26, from the KeyBank Center in Buffalo. Rounds 2 through 7 will take place the following day beginning at 8 a.m.