Strang's Mock Draft: Predicting Who the Canucks Will Select With all 10 Picks
This year’s NHL Draft is a key moment for the Vancouver Canucks. The organization has finally accepted a rebuild and with 10 picks, including four in the top 50, they have a chance to overhaul their prospect pool.
Between the talented player the Canucks will get at third overall and the sheer quantity of picks, this draft is pivotal as the organization starts a rebuild. With a completely new front office leading the way, this is the first time that the Sedin twins and Ryan Johnson will truly get to start building the team in their image.
Here is a projection for all of the Canucks picks next week.
3rd Overall - Ivar Stenberg, W
Birthday: Sep. 30, 2007
Size: 6 foot, 180 lbs
2025-26 stats: 43 GP, 11 G, 22 A, 33 PTS (SHL)
This scenario assumes the Toronto Maple Leafs draft Gavin McKenna first overall (a near lock) and the San Jose Sharks opt for a defenceman (not a lock but very possible). If that happens, the Canucks will be left to choose primarily between Ivar Stenberg and Caleb Malhotra.
There’s an argument to be made for both players and the correct choice won’t reveal itself until many years down the line. Some reports suggest the Canucks like Stenberg more, while others say they’d opt for Malhotra in this situation.
In my eyes, Stenberg’s high-end upside is too much to pass on. It has nothing to do with the potential awkwardness of Caleb being coached by his father Manny, who was recently named the Canucks’ bench boss. It’s all about Stenberg as a prospect.
He tore up the SHL this year, recording the most points by an 18-year-old since the Sedin twins. Stenberg further impressed at the recent IIHF World Championships, scoring four goals and eight points in eight games, including this highlight-reel snipe below.
Scouts have praised Stenberg’s vision and IQ. He looks good enough to play in the NHL next year if needed.
As a team near the start of their rebuild process, the Canucks need talented players and potential game-breakers. Stenberg offers that better than anyone in this class except for McKenna.
The Canucks have a long history of Swedish superstars. Perhaps Stenberg is the next.
24th Overall - J.P. Hurlbert, F
Birthday: April 11, 2008
Size: 6 foot, 183 lbs
2025-26 stats: 68 GP, 42 G, 55 A, 97 PTS (WHL)
J.P. Hurlbert is widely being mocked in this range and would be an intriguing option for the Canucks’ second pick in the first round. Hurlbert, who played a variety of forward spots for the Kamloops Blazers last season, put up impressive offensive numbers as a WHL rookie, finishing tied for fourth in goals league wide.
He isn’t the fastest player in the draft but his strong shot and knack for knowing where to be led to him filling up the stat sheet. He’d instantly be one of the Canucks most exciting prospects.
Hurlbert is committed to play at the University of Michigan next season where he’ll continue his development at one of the top NCAA programs.
33rd Overall - Brooks Rogowski, C
Birthday: June 24, 2008
Size: 6-foot-7, 236 lbs
2025-26 stats: 46 GP, 15 G, 27 A, 42 PTS (OHL)
The Canucks have the first pick of the second round and after taking two wingers with their first two selections, opt for a centre in Brooks Rogowski.
The first thing that stands out about Rogowski is his size. Just 13 NHL skaters were listed at 6-foot-7 or taller last season and most are defencemen. Rogowski would instantly be one of the most imposing centres.
Being tall doesn’t equal being good but Rogowski also stands out with his strong shot and ability to be disruptive. It’s easy to project the 17-year-old as a future hard-nosed, right-handed, bottom-six centre. Every NHL team would like a good player to fill that role. He’s a project but one that could pay off handsomely.
He’s committed to play at Michigan State University next season.
41st Overall - Samu Alalauri, D
Birthday: May 31, 2008
Size: 6-foot-2, 220 lbs
2025-26 stats: 40 GP, 6 G, 19 A, 25 PTS (u20 SM-sarja/Finland)
The Canucks take their first defenceman with their fourth and final pick inside the top 50. Samu Alalauri has the size (6-foot-2) that teams want from their blueliners and is also right-handed.
The tools are there with Alalauri and while he may not be a wizard in the offensive zone, he managed to put up solid production this year while showing off some offensive instincts.
The Canucks have a strong stable of young defencemen but will want to keep that crucial pipeline well stocked. Alalauri can be part of that next generation of prospects behind the likes of Tom Willander, Zeev Buium, Elias Pettersson, and others.
78th Overall - Adam Andersson, C
Birthday: July 2nd, 2008
Size: 6-foot-4, 214 lbs
2025-26 stats: 30 GP, 3 G, 14 A, 17 PTS (U20 Nationell)
It’s difficult enough to determine what will happen in the first few rounds of the draft and next to impossible to predict what will happen later. Because of that, these projections are difficult to do. Despite that, I’ve got the Canucks taking Swedish centre Adam Andersson here.
Andersson is a 6-foot-4 centre who split time between different levels this past season, playing the most games at the u20 level despite being just 17. He’s raw but with that size he’ll be given every chance to make the NHL and play down the middle.
Coming out of the draft with Andersson and Rogowski would give the Canucks two massive centre prospects.
97th Overall - Linus Loob Trygg, F
Birthday: October 12, 2007
Size: 6-foot-1, 179 lbs
2025-26 stats: 36 GP, 13 G, 23 A, 36 PTS (U20 Nationell)
Linus Loob Trygg has one of the most interesting names in the draft and put up strong numbers in the U20 Nationell last season. His point-per-game production and solid size for his position are an intriguing combination.
Scouts compliment his playmaking ability and vision. While he’s played in Sweden for the past few seasons, he’s actually Norwegian and has represented his country at various international tournaments.
129th Overall - Yaroslav Fedoseyev, D
Birthday: November 5, 2007
Size: 6-foot-2, 187 lbs
2025-26 stats: 25 GP, 1 G, 5 A, 6 PTS (VHL)
Yaroslav Fedoseyev played across three different levels of Russian hockey last season, including nine games in the KHL. He’s got the size that you want out of your defencemen and is right-handed. While he’s not a standout, he checks a lot of boxes and you can do a lot worse at 129th overall.
161st Overall - Parker Trottier, W
Birthday: February 13, 2008
Size: 6-foot-1, 185 lbs
2025-26 stats: 61 GP, 11 G, 16 A, 27 PTS (USNTDP)
Parker Trottier is not fun to play against. He is a puck hound and a great forechecker who can make defencemen uncomfortable. You can never have too many guys like that in your organization and while his numbers aren’t eye-popping, his work rate stands out.
Parker is the grandson of NHL legend Bryan Trottier and is committed to play at Notre Dame in the NCAA next season.
176th Overall - Yegor Rybkin, G
Birthday: December 3, 2007
Size: 6-foot-7, 207 lbs
2025-26 stats: 11 GP, 2.56 GAA, .915 SV% (MHL)
It’s not a bad idea to leave every draft with a goalie and Yegor Rybkin could be a late round steal. The 18-year-old put up very solid stats this season in the MHL and at 6-foot-7 is an imposing presence in the net.
Goalies can be difficult to evaluate and Rybkin played just 11 games this season because of injury but he’s a good option this late in the draft.
184th Overall - Cameron Kuzma, C
Birthday: July 17, 2008
Size: 6-foot-2, 190 lbs
2025-26 stats: 66 GP, 12 G, 19 A, 31 PTS (WHL)
Cameron Kuzma was traded to the Red Deer Rebels midway through last season and did much better in a larger role on his new team, scoring 21 points in 34 games. That’s encouraging from a young prospect who already has NHL size.
Kuzma plays with edge and is from St. Albert, Alberta, not far from Sherwood Park, the hometown of Canucks prospect Braeden Cootes.