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Canucks to pick 15th overall following NHL Draft Lottery
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Photo credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Tyson Cole
May 5, 2025, 20:46 EDTUpdated: May 5, 2025, 23:10 EDT
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While the Stanley Cup playoffs continue to roll into the second round, today marks a special day for all the other eliminated teams, as the NHL held their 2025 Draft Lottery in Sicacus, New Jersey. But more importantly, where the Vancouver Canucks will be picking come June 27.
The Canucks had the second-worst odds (15th – 0.5%) at winning the draft lottery coming into the night, and would not even get the first pick had they won, as teams are only able to move up 10 spots. So with the ability to only move up to fifth, the Canucks did not win, and will hold their pick at 15.
And although the Canucks did not win the lottery, there were a few lucky teams fortunate enough to move up from their respective pre-lottery positions.
Heading into the night, here were the draft lottery odds:
  1. San Jose Sharks – 18.5%
  2. Chicago Blackhawks – 13.5%
  3. Nashville Predators – 11.5%
  4. Philadelphia Flyers – 9.5%
  5. Boston Bruins – 8.5%
  6. Seattle Kraken – 7.5%
  7. Buffalo Sabres – 6.5%
  8. Anaheim Ducks – 6.0%
  9. Pittsburgh Penguins – 5.0%
  10. New York Islanders – 3.5%
  11. New York Rangers – 3.0%
  12. Detroit Red Wings – 2.5%
  13. Columbus Blue Jackets – 2.0%
  14. Utah Hockey Club – 1.5%
  15. Vancouver Canucks – 0.5%
  16. Calgary Flames – 0.5%
And here is how it ended:
  1. New York Islanders
  2. San Jose Sharks
  3. Chicago Blackhawks
  4. Utah Hockey Club
  5. Nashville Predators
  6. Philadelphia Flyers
  7. Boston Bruins
  8. Seattle Kraken
  9. Buffalo Sabres
  10. Anaheim Ducks
  11. Pittsburgh Penguins
  12. New York Rangers
  13. Detroit Red Wings
  14. Columbus Blue Jackets
  15. Vancouver Canucks
  16. Montreal Canadiens (via Calgary Flames)
With just a 3.5% chance of winning, the New York Islanders won the draft lottery, moving up from 10th overall to first at this year’s draft.
Not only them, but the Utah Hockey Club moved up as well, with just a 1.5% chance of doing so. However, since they could only jump up 10 spots, they were capped at picking fourth overall.
However, what is nice for both teams moving up in the draft, is that there seems to be a clear consensus on a top five in this draft: Erie Otters defenceman Matthew Schaefer, Saginaw Spirit centreman Michael Misa, Boston College centreman James Hagens, Brampton Steeleheads winger Porter Martone, and Djurgardens IF centreman Anton Frondell.
What rubs the salt in the wound a little more for Canucks fans, is that the New York Rangers still hold a top 13 selection. Which means that the pick now moves to an unprotected 2026 first-round pick, in what is set to be a much deeper draft. Not only that, but Utah finished with just one point fewer than the Canucks did this season. Had one result had gone the other way, it might have been the Canucks who moved up and selected within the top four.
If the Canucks do not trade this pick, they will be selecting 15th overall in the 2025 NHL draft on June 27, 2025.

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