Vancouver Canucks: Top 5 Draft Targets in Playoff Scenario

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Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Vancouver Canucks general manager Jim Benning announces Jake Virtanen (not pictured) as the number six overall pick to the Vancouver Canucks in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

The Vancouver Canucks need high-end prospects, but getting them will be extremely hard in case of a playoff finish.

Not many expected the Vancouver Canucks to be in serious playoff contention at the halfway mark of the 2016-17 season. Yet, here they are, just one point away from a wild-card spot 48 games in.

While the Canucks are barely better this season than they were in 2015-16, we need to keep their chance of success in mind looking at the draft.

Michael Schuckers has done some great work developing draft pick values, and I recommend that you give it a read. If you want to skip that and just look at the outcome, here is a great visualisation by Sean Tierney:

"View post on imgur.com"

From first overall to around 25th, there is a huge drop-off in value. In other words, your chances of getting a future NHL-regular are much bigger in the top 10 than they are in the second half of the first round.

Unfortunately, a playoff finish would equal picking 16th or later.

Back in November, I wrote about five centres the Canucks should keep an eye on this year. But, those five will likely be long gone if the Canucks pick outside of the top 15.

So, here are five players to target in case of a playoff finish, and therefore a pick around No. 16.

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