The 2026 NHL Entry Draft could have the power to shape the Vancouver Canucks for years to come. With the highest draft pick since 1999, when the team drafted Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin, this could be quite the consequential draft. However, with ten draft picks this year, as well as a number of players who could be traded, could they aim to make some moves to go up or down in the draft? Let us discuss some possible scenarios.
2026 NHL Entry Draft: Options for the Canucks to Move Up or Down
Moving Up Scenario: What the Team Could Do if They Wanted the Second-Overall Pick
Credit Image: © Andy Martin Jr./ZUMA Wire
If the Canucks are high on the prospects this season, they could try to snag another top prospect. Currently at third overall, they likely have their eyes on either Ivar Stenberg or Caleb Malhotra. If they want both of them, or perhaps a top defence prospect in Chase Reid, Carson Carels, or Keaton Verhoeff, trying for the second-overall pick from the San Jose Sharks would be an option. Of course, the team would need to give up a king’s ransom to get a high draft pick. What could they do to get said second-overall pick?
We have already discussed some possible Filip Hronek deals that might get the job done, including packaging him with the 24th-overall pick, Thatcher Demko, or the two second-round picks (picks 33 and 41). If the Canucks simply want to do a draft pick swap, perhaps they would dangle the 2027 first-round pick to them. However, that comes at a large risk, because if the Canucks are once again a lottery team next season, they could miss out on the likes of Landon DuPont, a highly-touted defenceman expected to go first overall in the draft next season.
Moving Up Scenario: All-In for the Ruck Twins
We know the history of the Canucks and twins. In 1999, GM Brian Burke made one of the most consequential moves in franchise history, trading down from first overall as he went all-out to acquire the Sedins. Now, there is another set of twins in this NHL Entry Draft that could very well get drafted together, in Liam Ruck and Markus Ruck. Their chemistry was on full display this past season with the Medicine Hat Tigers, as the Ruck brothers were the top two in scoring. Liam recorded 45 goals, 59 assists for 104 points, while Markus led the WHL in scoring with 21 goals, 87 assists for 108 points.
According to Daily Faceoff’s draft rankings, Liam Ruck is 16th, while Markus Ruck is 24th. The Canucks do own the 24th-overall pick in the draft, but they would need to get a mid-first-round pick as well. To do so, what could the Canucks do? Perhaps they could trade their two second-round picks, or a strong pick from a future draft? Chances are, both the picks will need to be higher than 24th, which means that the Canucks could need to make some complex moves here if landing the Ruck twins is in their plans. The team did meet with them during the draft combine, and the twins have stated they would prefer to be drafted together.
Moving Down Scenario: What if Stenberg Gets Taken at Second?
There is a scenario where the Canucks could explore moving down in the draft, and that is if Ivar Stenberg gets drafted by the Sharks at second. It is no secret that the Canucks are interested in Caleb Malhotra at third overall, but if it turns out their target was someone else, might they give the Chicago Blackhawks or New York Rangers a call to see what a trade could hold? Let us go one step further: what if Stenberg was still available at third overall? Would they trade down to get Malhotra anyway? It would probably be in the Canucks’ best interest to take the best player available, but some teams do draft with organizational needs in mind.
As the Canucks are a rebuilding team, moving down in the draft may not be a great idea, because the idea of a rebuild is to add as many good young prospects as possible. Even if the best player available does not fit the most urgent organizational need, the Canucks are thin in basically all areas. They should not need to be picky and overthink it if someone like Stenberg falls into their lap.
As the 2026 NHL Draft approaches, expect plenty more NHL Draft coverage here at Last Word On Hockey. Stay tuned for more.
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