The streak of no No. 1 draft picks continues, with the Vancouver Canucks receiving the No. 3 selection despite having the highest probability of winning 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 will the team select at No. 3?
Vancouver Canucks Mock Draft for First Round
The Vancouver Canucks named Manny Malhotra as the team’s next head coach, which has altered the course of who they’ll decide to draft at No. 3 overall.
Who Will the Canucks Draft With the Third Pick?
Selecting Caleb Malhotra with that pick is almost assured now that his father will be coaching the team. Malhotra’s odds to go to the Canucks are -400, which implies an 80% probability.
Caleb, 18, is seen as the best two-way centre in the draft, and the Canucks are short down the middle, so the move makes sense.
However, he is only ranked as the No. 6 North American skater entering the draft, according to the NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings.
As the most highly touted centre in the draft, Caleb will almost assuredly form a foundational piece of the Canucks’ rebuild. He would eventually help the team 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.
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