If you are a Vancouver Canucks fan, it is always fun to look at the upcoming draft and debate on which prospect they could select. This year, the draft will be held on July 23rd and 24th. While it is not as deep as last year’s draft, there are still some good prospects. There is also no clear consensus number one pick (Matthew Beniers and Owen Power are two names that could go number one), and the draft could go either way.
Also unlike last year, the Canucks have their first-round pick and are likely going to pick in the top ten depending on how the draft lottery goes. There is no date for that yet and it will be reduced to two winning draws instead of three (let’s face it, the Canucks have rotten luck when it comes to the lottery anyway). At the time of this writing, the Canucks sit 21st in the NHL with a 16-18-3 record. There are still 19 games left to go and Vancouver’s lottery odds could be higher or lower than Tankathon’s projected 4.5% at the time of this writing.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at five prospects the Canucks could possibly draft in the first round in July.
Luke Hughes, D
Quinn Hughes’ younger brother Luke is projected to be a top ten pick. Like Quinn, Luke is a smooth-skating defenceman who can put up points and quarterback a power play. Hughes has got good hands and great passing and poke-checking ability.
You can definitely see some of Quinn in the young Luke Hughes. His stride may not be as smooth as the eldest Hughes, but he is definitely a top tier skater.
— Stars n’ Stripes Hockey (@StarsStripesHKY) October 30, 2019
Here he does something Quinn could trademark, the one-man entry on the power play. #NTDP #GoBlue #Canucks pic.twitter.com/JYz2fb1zxD
Hughes has six goals and 28 assists for the US National Development team so far this season. It would be nice to have another Hughes on the team, after all the Canucks have had two brothers on the team before. There is a lot to like about his game and they could take him if he is available. However, it might be best for the Canucks to prioritize right-handed defencemen instead.
Brandt Clarke, D
Here is one right-handed defenceman the Canucks could possibly draft. Brandt Clarke plays for the Barrie Colts of the OHL but is on loan at HC Nove Zamsky in Slovakia where he has five goals and ten assists in 26 games.
Clarke is projected to go in the top five but could fall as low as seventh or eighth. He is also a smooth skater and makes smart decisions on the ice. He is an excellent passer, has a nice shot, can win the board battles and can move the puck out of the defensive zone with ease like in the clip below.
I've watched every minute of Brandt Clarke's season to date in preparation for my upcoming dive @EPRinkside
— /Cam Robinson/ (@Hockey_Robinson) March 23, 2021
His ability to elude pressure against pro competition is impressive, to say the least
An example: pic.twitter.com/EzfiK37L69
Clarke’s ceiling is a top-pairing defenceman, and he and Quinn would make an excellent pairing. The concerns for Clarke are his defensive play and he isn’t the most physical player but if he is on the board when the Canucks are on the clock, they should snag him.