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Canucks: 4 players they could select in the 2nd round of the 2021 NHL Draft

By Joshua Rey |
OSHAWA, ON - FEBRUARY 23: Wyatt Johnston #55 of the Windsor Spitfires skates during an OHL game against the Oshawa Generals at the Tribute Communities Centre on February 23, 2020 in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/Getty Images)
OSHAWA, ON - FEBRUARY 23: Wyatt Johnston #55 of the Windsor Spitfires skates during an OHL game against the Oshawa Generals at the Tribute Communities Centre on February 23, 2020 in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/Getty Images)
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With the Stanley Cup being awarded to the Tampa Bay Lightning for the second year in a row, it is officially the offseason for the Vancouver Canucks. 

So far, it’s been pretty quiet, with the only “news” coming from the blueline.

Earlier this week, reports emerged that Nate Schmidt wants out of Vancouver after only spending one season with the club.

A few days later, according to insider Nick Kypreos during his appearance on “Tim and Friends”, the Canucks are also showing some renewed interest in Oliver-Ekman Larsson from the Arizona Coyotes. Kypreos went so far to suggest swapping the two defencemen to appease both sides.

Of course, as it goes with all teams, this is purely speculation, and anything could happen when it comes to these players. One thing that the team knows is happening, however, is the upcoming NHL Entry Draft, set to take place from July 23rd to 24th.

We’ve already covered players that the Canucks could select in the first round, including Mason McTavish and Fabian Lysell. But, as we all know, there are usually some hidden talents in the later rounds that could eventually turn into steals, and it’s important for teams to build their prospect pool as much as they can outside of the first round because of that. The Canucks have been able to find strong players in the past in the second round, such as Thatcher Demko, Mason Raymond and Nils Höglander.

The Lightning were even able to snag Nikita Kucherov 58th overall in 2011, and look how that turned out.

This year, the Canucks hold the 40th overall pick in the draft, and will be looking to capitalize on a player that could hopefully impact their organization for years to come.

Let’s take a look at four players that the Canucks could possibly select in the second round:

Logan Mailloux, RHD

As we already know, right-handed defencemen are a big need for the Canucks, and Logan Mailloux could fit the bill for the team.

Mailloux, who clocks in at 6’3″ and 214 pounds, previously played for the London Knights of the OHL in 2019-20, but he spent the past season on loan to SK Lejon of Sweden’s second division. There, he scored seven goals and eight assists in 19 games.

Mailloux has the size, agility and excellent skating abilities, as well as good stick-handling, to allow him to transition up the ice effectively.  He also has an accurate shot, which includes a cannon of a one-timer.  Defensively, there is still improvement to be made. He is reliable when it comes to winning puck battles, but he needs to work on defending on the rush.

The Canucks desperately need size, skill and strong shooting abilities on the right side of their blueline, and Mailloux could check all of those boxes.

Ryan Ufko, RHD, 5’11”, 181 pounds

Sticking with right-handed defenceman, we switch our focus to Ryan Ufko.

Ufko, who is smaller than Mailloux at 5’11” and 181 pounds, played last season with the Chicago Steel of the USHL. Next year, he will be attending the University of Massachusetts. During his time with the Steel, he registered10 goals and 29 assists in 53 games.

Ufko has been described as a two-way defenceman who is very good at leading the rush with his effective stick-handling ability. He makes tape-to-tape passes on a consistent basis, and has a knack for finding his teammates with his great vision. Ufko also displays a heavy slap shot.

One thing Ufko needs to work on is his skating. Due to his size, he currently lacks explosiveness, something that we’re seeing more and more of in today’s game. He also needs to work on battling for and coming up with the puck in the defensive zone.

Zach Dean, C

Outside of right-handed defencemen, the Canucks are also in need for centres, and Zach Dean is one that they could take a look at. Dean wore the “A” for the Gatineau Olympiques of the QMJHL. Like many league, their season had many pauses due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Dean was still able to put up points, registering 10 goals and 10 assists in 23 games.

Dean is an authentic playmaker who weighs in at 6’0″ and 176 pounds. He makes passing look easy, and displays strong speed and stick-handling. When put together, those tools will allow him to consistently set up his teammates for scoring chances.. Dean is also good in his own end, as he is able to win battles, take away passing lanes and stop rushes on the back check.

Dean has a powerful shot, but his accuracy could use some work as he does tend to miss the net quite often.

Dean may not fall to 40th overall based on his attributes but if he does, the Canucks should snag him.

Wyatt Johnston, C, 6’1″, 176 pounds

The OHL season did not happen at all this year due to the pandemic. Unlike many other prospects, Wyatt Johnston did not head to Europe.  As a result, he didn’t have much opportunity to develop, but he made up for it on the international stage, helping Canada’s U-18 team capture gold. During the 2019-20 season, Johnston had two goals and two assists with the Windsor Spitfires.

Despite having a full year off, Johnston is still catching the eyes of scouts, and it’s his skating that makes him stand out.

Clocking in at 6’1″ and 176 pounds, Johnson brings speed and good acceleration on the forecheck, and often utilizes his strong skating ability to drive to the net and score goals. Johnston mainly scores goals closer to the net with his quick release or his ability to battle in front for deflections, but can also set up teammates as a simple, effective passer.

Defensively, he is also very sound, proving his strength on the back check, during the board battles and while blocking shots.

If the Canucks draft him, he would provide some centre depth to their prospect pool. He might even surpass The Athletic’s Wyatt Arndt as the most famous Wyatt in Vancouver if things go well.

Next. Could Nolan Patrick be a fit with the Canucks?. dark

What do you think, Canucks fans? Would you be happy if the team selected one of these players in the second round? Should they focus on other prospects? Let us know in the comments below!

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