There is no sugarcoating it, the Vancouver Canucks have the least amount of points in the NHL. The Canucks have accumulated 41 points in 54 games, seven less than the next worst team, the Calgary Flames, and currently have the highest odds to win the NHL Draft Lottery at 25.5%.<\/p>\n
It would appear as though the Canucks front office pulled the trigger at the right time to initiate a rebuild, especially as it pertains to personnel losses like Quinn Hughes, J.T. Miller and Bo Horvat over the past few seasons, but also the potential of their current prospect pool including Jonathan Lekkerim\u00e4ki, Tom Willander, Braeden Cootes, and newly acquired Zeev Buium and Marco Rossi.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As it stands now, the Canucks will be picking twice in the first round of the upcoming NHL Entry Draft, and if they are able to land a top three pick at the draft, they are likely to walk away very happy with who they can select with their first-round pick.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Who could the Canucks end up with?<\/p>\n
The last three first overall picks have been Matthew Schaefer, Macklin Celebrini and Connor Bedard, and I think it is safe to say that if the Canucks end up with anyone even close to that level of talent, the draft will be considered a successful one.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As of now, there are three players who will likely go, at worst, in the top four of the NHL Entry Draft: Gavin McKenna, Ivar Stenberg, and Keaton Verhoeff.<\/p>\n
The 2026 NHL Entry Draft is considered to be very strong at the top end, and while none of these players are currently considered to be the unanimous first-overall pick, each of them has the potential to be a highly impactful player at the NHL level.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Gavin McKenna:<\/p>\n
18 years old. Whitehorse, Yukon.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Currently playing for Penn State in the NCAA and the number one ranked North American Skater on the NHL\u2019s list of 2026 Draft Prospects,<\/a> McKenna is an offensive wizard and master of creativity. McKenna is an elite playmaker with quick hands, skilled puck handing, excellent vision and both precise and agile skating, and is not only able to create for himself on the ice, but also opens ice up for his teammates.\u00a0<\/p>\n A player who McKenna could end up being like is Patrick Kane, as they are similar in style, playmaking ability, creativity, physique and even handedness. An interesting tidbit is that McKenna is the cousin-in-law of North Vancouver native Connor Bedard, and what Canucks fan wouldn\u2019t love to see McKenna and Bedard join forces on the Canucks?<\/p>\n Ivar Stenberg:<\/p>\n 18 years old. Stenungsund, Sweden.\u00a0<\/p>\n Currently playing for Frolunda in the Swedish Elite League against grown men, and averaging the highest points per game on his own team at .93 with 28 points in 30 games. <\/p>\n The narrative surrounding Stenberg going before McKenna is beginning to gain traction, as he not only had an outstanding performance at the World Junior Hockey Championships for Sweden, but has also taken his game to another level this year in the SHL, whereas people argue McKenna has taken a step back going from the CHL to the NCAA.\u00a0<\/p>\n