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ENTRY DRAFT PREVIEW:
Canucks have a 1st - 24th overall, 2nd, 3rd, 5th (FLA), 6th (ANA), and 7th round pick this year.
Canucks top scout Tomas Gradin has ranked his favourite prospects in this year's draft:
Jacob Trouba
Hampus Lindholm
Andrei Vasilevskiy
Ryan Murray
Filip Forsberg
Matt Dumba
Morgan Rielly
Connor Hellebyuck
Evgeny Kuznetzov
Teuvo Teravainen
Cody Ceci
Olli Maatta
Alex Galchenyuk
Tomas Hertl
Artemi Panarin
Matt Murray
Derrick Pouliot
Damon Severson
Jaccob Slavin
Griffin Reinhart
Chris Tierney
Tanner Pearson
Mike Matheson
Tom Wilson
Radek Faksa
Nail Yakupov
commentary: A lot of top European prospects have shot up the board this year. There are some amazing potential goalies, but we don't need another high end goalie, so we probably don't go that route, maybe take a flyer on a mediocre guy later in the draft for depth. Generally I'm a believer in drafting a goalie in most drafts, just to keep the pipeline full and you never know how they may turn out. I'm also NOT a fan of ever taking a goalie in the first round.
MOCK DRAFT:
ANA Vasilevskiy
EDM Trouba
CGY Lindholm
WPG R.Murray
TBL Dumba
MIN Forsberg
TOR Hellebyuck
MTL Ceci
NYI Rielly
NJD Kuznetsov
DAL M.Murray
OTT T.Teravainen
CAR Maatta
WAS Galchenyuk
BUF Hertl
FLA Pouliot
LAK Panarin
COL Severson
PHI Reinhart
CBJ Slavin
STL Pearson
NYR Tierney
NAS Yakupov
VAN Wilson - don't think so. one thing we'll be doing differently than the IRL Canucks is we are going to try to stick with building a skill, speed team rather than go chasing a 'Bruins model' - we want grit and physicality to an extent, but on the bottom end of the roster moreso
BOS Matheson
SJS M.Subban
PHX J.Gillies
CHI Merzlikins
DET Faksa
PIT Jankowski
TARGETS:
(@ 24) (overlooking some decent talent if it comes in a less than durable package) (may try to trade down since nobody jumps out and the defensemen available that would interest us more are a bit injury prone or come with other flaws... nobody really high end that excites around 24)
Tierney - Two Way Center, decent offensive upside, solid skater, good checker. Maybe third line replacement for Malhorta down the line?
Pearson - Gradin is high on him, he is a very balanced offensive forward who seems to have a likeable and easygoing personality. Strong long term complementary piece at worse, consistent top six producer if he pans out well.
Montour - Good offensive ratings, decent skater.
J.McCabe - Good defensive defenseman, good hitter
Kerfoot - Very good passing skills already... mediocre upside according to our scouts, and ranked down around fifty... but that passing is NHL level
(@54)
D.Toews - Offensive skilll set looks promising, skating could be good, but wish it looked better, defensively looks weak, although his Def Read is good
Zaitsev - Good offensive ability, good defensive read and shot blocking, average skating at best though, and he has a knack for not showing up in big games
Koekkoek - Pretty good skater, decent defensively, not very high end potential though
V.Arvidsson - Good skater, excellent puck handler, good all around hockey IQ, decent potential, could be a good top 9 forward, penchant for stepping up in big games
Colin Miller - Potenttial to become an NHL regular, good offensive ability, solid skater, good stamina and a future leader and character guy
Paquette - good defensive, agitating forward, good at screening, decent skater
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