Canucks: Why Ivar Stenberg is building buzz as possible draft-day play

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Highly-touted Swedish winger, who believes he can step right into NHL lineup, may be available when Canucks select third overall.

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Published Jun 07, 2026 • Last updated 3 hours ago • 4 minute read

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Swedish winger Ivar Stenberg and Czechia defenceman Jiri Tichacek battle for puck possesion during 2026 IIHF world hockey championship in Fribourg, Switzerland on May 18. Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI /AFP via Getty ImagesArticle content

The NHL scouting combine tested strength through a number traditional and innovative initiatives last week.

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What couldn’t be assessed was hockey I.Q. and skills on the ice, and they’re the great separators for dynamic Swedish winger Ivar Stenberg. He’s on the Vancouver Canucks’ radar as a possible third-overall selection for the NHL draft in Buffalo June 26-27.

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In the NFL scouting combine, skills are tested on a playing surface for specific positions. Teams get a better take on how prime prospects read and react in drills that push the limits for agility and awareness to mirror game-like situations. If Stenberg was challenged in those respects on a sheet of ice, he would rank among the elite.

It takes something special to thrive in the Swedish Hockey League as an 18-year-old rookie, who chased the first-year exploits of Henrik and Daniel Sedin. It also takes a significant stature to excel at the world junior hockey championship and look comfortable at the men’s world hockey tournament.

Ivar Stenberg crashes into Tomas Galvas of Czechia in world hockey championship game at Fribourg, Switzerland on May 18. Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI /AFP via Getty Images

Maybe that’s why Stenberg had a bit of a swagger at the NHL combine in Buffalo when asked about his readiness to play in the NHL.

“I want to play over here — best league in the world,” Stenberg said at the combine. “I was around NHL guys at the worlds and I really think I can do that. More confidence every day when you’re around them and feel like you can compete with them.

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“When I came to Frolunda (SHL), you’ve got to develop pretty fast. I think I can play in every situation and my hockey I.Q. for sure is something that would help. I want to be better every day and work at it.”

That’s music to the Canucks’ ears about establishing culture and environment. What if they come calling on draft day?

“It would be awesome,” said Stenberg. “Pretty much Swedes (eight on roster, two in management)”.

Stenberg could provide a plug-in-and-play presence and help advance the Canucks’ roster rebuild. The 6-foot, 185-pounder also talked a good game at the combine because illness kept the winger from strength and agility testing. But he was interviewed by 14 teams and taken to dinner by the Canucks.

“I’ve been sick lately and after the worlds, I talked to my agent and what is best for me,” said Stenberg. “Maybe it doesn’t look good, but dangerous to do it (tests) when you’re sick.”

Teams are enamoured by Stenberg’s dangerous two-way game and not cheating defensively to pile up points. He has the type of pace, push and production that raise eyebrows. At the men’s world championship, he scored a highlight-reel goal off the rush to show off his quick pivots and accurate release that packs velocity.

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Stenberg’s 33 points (11-22) this SHL season were fifth most by an 18-year-old, and most since Daniel Sedin (42 points) and Henrik Sedin (34 points) in the 1998-99. The Sedins have also been involved in scouting meetings as co-presidents of hockey operations and Stenberg has caught their eye.

Stenberg had 10 points (4-6) in seven games at the 2026 world junior championship, where Sweden captured gold, and added eight points (4-4) in the world men’s tourney. He played on a line with Detroit Red Wings winger Lucas Raymond, who had 11 points (5-6), and was selected fourth-overall in 2020. He’s also a sounding board for Stenberg with what awaits at the NHL level.

“I try to pick up stuff. How he sees the ice, carries the puck, and sees the game,” said Stenberg.

Stenberg’s brother, Otto, was selected 25th overall by the St. Louis Blues in 2023, so there’s also hockey lineage at play.

If the Canucks trade Jake DeBrusk, and Jonathan Lekkerimaki is slowed by February shoulder procedures to repair a torn labrum and damaged rotator cuff, the Canucks will be thin at wing. Liam Ohgren is a budding power forward, while Linus Karlsson and Drew O’Connor had career goal seasons, but Nils Hoglander struggled and Brock Boeser dipped.

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Of course, the draft caveat is what the San Jose Sharks do with the second-overall selection.

They could target Stenberg to pair with Macklin Celebrini, but need a prolific puck-moving, power play quarterback to add another dimension to an evolving offence. The Sharks expect to lose blueliner Mario Ferraro to free agency and 2024 first-round pick Sam Dickinson is slowly growing into a top-four position.

The answer could be OHL standout Chase Reid. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Sault Ste. Marie native put up 48 points (18-30) in 45 games and considered the prime pick in a rich crop of draftable blueliners.

“The only defenceman I have with a high probability of being a No. 1,” veteran NHL prospects scout Shane Malloy told Postmedia. “He can do everything. It’s like watching Drew Doughty with what he brings strategically.”

If McKenna and Reid go in that order, the conundrum of selecting Stenberg or OHL centre Caleb Malhotra — arguably the best-available pivot — arises. The 6-foot-2, 185 pound son of Canucks head coach Manny Malhotra had 84 points (29-55) in 67 games this season with Branford Bulldogs and exploded for 26 playoff points (13-13) in 15 games.

With uncertainty at centre in future of Elias Pettersson, health of Filip Chytil, and unrestricted free agent Teddy Blueger, the Canucks need to add to the prospect pool and support the evolving Braeden Cootes.

Will they wing it or pivot to a centre of great attention?

bkuzma@postmedia.com

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