Vancouver Canucks: Early Seven-Round Mock Draft

Jun 24, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; Olli Juolevi poses for a photo after being selected as the number five overall draft pick by the Vancouver Canucks in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft at the First Niagra Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; Olli Juolevi poses for a photo after being selected as the number five overall draft pick by the Vancouver Canucks in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft at the First Niagra Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

With less than two weeks left in the Vancouver Canucks season, our focus turns to the draft. Time for a first look at possible 2017 selections.

Many teams are celebrating playoff-clinching wins. For us Vancouver Canucks fans, on the other hand, NCAA free-agent signings are as exciting as it gets. But don’t worry, the 2017 NHL Entry Draft will bring enough excitement to Vancouver.

As of today, the Canucks own a total of six picks in this draft: one in each of the first three rounds, two in the fourth and one in the seventh. In addition, they could get the Columbus Blue Jackets’ second-round selection. Columbus can send either this year’s or next year’s second-rounder to Vancouver as compensation for former Canucks head coach John Tortorella.

The Blue Jackets have until June 1 to make that decision, but for this mock draft’s sake, I decided to include Columbus’s second this year as pick No. 61.

The draft lottery was simulated using the Tankathon lottery simulator. Ranking fourth-last in the league standings, the Canucks had an 8.5 percent chance of winning the first-overall selection and a 26 percent chance of winning a top-three pick.

Here are the results, with each club’s pre-lottery position in parentheses:

  1. Colorado Avalanche (1)
  2. Detroit Red Wings (5)
  3. Arizona Coyotes (2)
  4. Vegas Golden Knights (3)
  5. New Jersey Devils (3)
  6. Vancouver Canucks (4)

Yes, the Canucks dropped down again. And with the Vegas Golden Knights making their NHL draft debut, they even dropped down to No. 6 instead of No. 5.

This won’t be a full mock draft but only the Canucks’ decision. But, in order for you to see the options with pick No. 6, here is whom I would expect to be taken with the first five picks.

  1. Avalanche — C Nolan Patrick, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
  2. Red Wings — C Nico Hischier, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
  3. Coyotes — D Timothy Liljegren, Rögle (SHL)
  4. Golden Knights — C Gabriel Vilardi, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
  5. Devils — C Casey Mittelstadt, Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)

With the first five selections made, the Vancouver Canucks are on the clock.

A final note: Remember there are players one team would pick in the second round and another wouldn’t touch until at least the fifth. There are even players one team would draft in the first round that another wouldn’t draft at all. This mock draft is simply done by who I think might be available when the given pick rolls around. 

Round 1

Round 2

Round 3

Round 4

Round 7

The chances of the draft actually shaking out this way are obviously extremely slim, thanks to the large number of players available, players picked, and the varying opinions of NHL scouts. But, if it did shake out this way, I would be very pleased.

Next: 5 Players to Watch for 2017 NHL Draft

The Canucks would get promising players on all three positions, including the playmaking centre and the offensive defenceman they want.

The 2017 NHL Entry Draft will take place in Chicago on June 23 and June 24.