New NHL Draft format would have changed Canucks history

NHL teams recently voted on a new NHL Draft format, and with the changes coming, former NHL executive Brian Burke believes the Vancouver Canucks would have never landed both Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin.

Burke was the GM of the Canucks at the time of the 1999 NHL Draft, and Vancouver already held the No. 3 pick at the time. After learning that the Tampa Bay Lightning would not select Daniel at No. 1 because they felt he wouldn’t sign without Henrik, Burke moved for the No. 2 pick. The rest is Canucks history.

Traditionally, as most of us know, the NHL hosts an in-person draft that features tightly-knit draft tables in close proximity to one another. As it relates to the draft changes, teams felt that this allowed other organizations to snoop around their tables, eavesdrop, and learn of draft plans, among other things. This was reportedly one of the key driving forces behind the NBA and NFL-style decentralization. For Burke and the Canucks, this greatly helped them acquire one of the most potent brotherly tandems in sports history.

If the Canucks do want a chance to repeat history and make another move like this, it’s looking like the 2024 NHL Draft will be their last chance to do so. The NHL is reportedly considering hosting this draft at The Sphere in Las Vegas, NV, which would ironically make this a grander spectacle than it should be, at least under ‘normal’ circumstances.

As the NHL continues to veer from tradition, the Canucks’ historic trade to have both Daniel and Henrik Sedin proves more and more special. Today, both Sedin twins work in tandem with Vancouver’s front office, coaches, staff, and with the Abbotsford Canucks in a developmental role to guide their prospects and other young players.

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A lot of people don’t seem to be thrilled about the draft changes, and we aren’t either.