Who Should Canucks Pick in First Round of NHL Draft?

The streak of no first-overall draft picks continues, with the Vancouver Canucks receiving the No.3 selection despite having the highest probability of landing the Gavin McKenna sweepstakes. 

OK, McKenna isn’t a shoo-in, but he might as well be after the Toronto Maple Leafs won the right to select No. 1 in the June 26 and 27 draft. 

The Canucks can’t dwell on the results of the draft lottery as they have work to do. So, who should the team select at No. 3? 

Related: Gavin McKenna Scouting Report: Why Leafs Will Draft McKenna

Vancouver Canucks Mock Draft for First Round

McKenna and Ivar Stenberg will likely be selected by the time the Canucks are on the clock. 

There is a chance the Sharks don’t select Stenberg second overall, as they might want to draft a top-tier blueliner prospect to complement forwards Macklin Celebrini and Michael Misa. 

If Stenberg, touted as the second-best prospect for most of the year, is still on the board, the Canucks will snap him up. 

With that scenario unlikely to play out, the Canucks will probably target one of the best three defencemen in the draft class: Keaton Verhoeff, Carson Carels, or Chase Reid. 

There is also a pretty good chance they’ll select centre Caleb Malhotra, who ascended the prospects board after his dominant play during the OHL playoffs.  

Who Will the Canucks Draft With the Third Pick? 

I’m going with Verhoeff, who has split opinion in recent months after deciding to transfer to college hockey early.

At times, Verhoeff, still only 17, struggled to compete with the physicality, speed, and decision-making prowess of more experienced, battle-tested players, some of whom are seven years his elder. 

While that’s a component the Canucks must consider, I think that his early move to North Dakota will make him NHL-ready faster. And his 6-foot-3 frame is exactly what the Canucks need on the blue line. 

Verhoeff is excellent at both ends of the rink, and while he needs to improve his skating and decision-making under pressure, he has the tools to thrive on a top defensive pairing. He’s also an upstanding character who oozes leadership potential. 

Transferring to college at his tender age is evidence of that, as it shows self-belief and the courage to challenge himself despite so much riding on the decision. 

While growing pains are inevitable in the NCAA at such a young age, Verhoeff became the third 17-year-old defenceman to exceed 20 points in a season over the previous 20 years.

Who knows, maybe he will be the one to help the Canucks return to prominence among those with the shortest Stanley Cup odds at the BetMGM online sportsbook.

Who Will the Canucks Draft At No. 24? 

There’s much debate about where Liam Ruck fits into the first-round equation. Some analysts have him at No. 10 overall, but most rank the right-winger in the mid-20s, so there should be a decent chance he’s available at No. 24. 

Ruck plays at a breakneck pace, and he’s an offensive weapon, scoring 104 points (45 goals, 59 assists) in 68 games last season with the Medicine Hat Tigers. 

Only his brother, Markus, had more points in the WHL. Either one would suffice, but Liam should be the priority. 

Have the Canucks Ever Had a First Overall Draft Pick?

No, the Canucks have never drafted first overall.  

What Is the Highest Draft Pick the Canucks Have Had? 

The Canucks had the second overall pick twice, in 1970 and 1999. They selected Dale Tallon in 1970 and Daniel Sedin in 1999.

When Is the 2026 NHL Draft? 

The 2026 NHL Draft takes place on June 26 and 27.