Vancouver Canucks: Who the experts think they’ll draft with seventh pick
We’re now just one week away from the 2018 NHL entry draft. The Vancouver Canucks have plenty of options with the seventh pick, but whom will they choose? A look at what the experts are predicting.
Vancouver Canucks general manager Jim Benning has a difficult choice with the seventh pick in this year’s draft: Go with an organizational need, or simply take the best player available.
Of course, there are rumours that the team may deal away the seventh selection, but that’s an unlikely scenario. It’s more likely than not that Benning retains the pick, but will he land another forward to join the likes of Bo Horvat and Brock Boeser? Or will he select a much-needed blueliner?
Though the likes of Noah Dobson, Adam Boqvist, Quinn Hughes and Evan Bouchard could be major impact players on the blue line, Benning may feel the need to take a talented scorer like Oliver Wahlstrom.
There’s no sure thing as to what the Canucks will do with the pick. But let’s have some fun and see what the experts are guessing will happen when Benning steps up to the podium.
Mike G. Morreale Adam Kimelman, and Guillaume Lepage,NHL.com,
In their mock draft, Adam Kimelman and Lepage project the Canucks will select Evan Bouchard with the seventh choice, while Morreale has them selecting Hughes. Here’s what Kimelman and Morreal said:
Kimelman – Evan Bouchard:
Players with Bouchard’s skill set are a rare commodity. The Canucks have done well building a group of young forwards, and now is the time to add some top-end defensemen. After three full seasons in the OHL, he could be ready to jump right into the NHL.
Morreale – Hughes:
A prototypical offensive-defenseman, Hughes has good poise and puck skills. He can play at any pace and rarely is overpowered by bigger players. He’s started to understand how to be more effective in all three zones and likely will remain at Michigan for at least one more season.
Larry Fisher, The Hockey Writers
Fisher has the Canucks taking blueliner Noah Dobson – whose stock has fallen a bit in recent mock drafts. Nonetheless, Fisher believes Benning will make “the safer and possibly the better pick,” between he, Boqvist and Hughes.
Janik Beichler, Future Considerations
Though many consider it a foregone conclusion that the Canucks will select a blueliner, Janik Beichler has the Canucks selecting centre Oliver Wahlstrom:
The Canucks need help on the blue line, but they also need help everywhere else on the ice. Wahlstrom is the best player available. With his game-changing offensive ability, he will be another important piece in a dangerous forward group that will include Brock Boeser and Elias Pettersson.
Joe Haggerty, NBC Sports Boston
Another member of the “Canucks will take Bouchard” club. Joe Haggerty is among the many who have the Canucks focusing on defence – which is easily their biggest weakness.
Next: 2018 NHL draft prospect profile #9: Evan Bouchard
We finally found somebody who has the Canucks taking Adam Boqvist. This man’s stock has fallen quite a pit in recent weeks. Don’t forget Boqvist was widely regarded as a top-five pick for much of 2017-18, but that has changed quite a bit.
Benning reached for Elias Pettersson last year, but that may go down as the best pick in franchise history. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Benning opted to reach for Boqvist — if he’s left available.