VANCOUVER — Through periods of success and struggle, stability and turmoil, unexpected events, crises, and what often feels like perpetual disappointment, the Vancouver Canucks can at least consistently deliver one thing: losing the draft lottery.
Or perhaps that`s just something the National Hockey League (or the hockey gods) guarantees.
Following Monday night`s draft lottery, which saw the New York Islanders and Utah Hockey Club significantly improve their draft positions by moving up the maximum allowed spots, the Canucks maintain their streak of never winning the selection sweepstakes. The lottery has been used by the NHL since 1995 to determine the first-round draft order, and the Canucks remain winless.
Vancouver is one of only five NHL franchises to have never won the lottery – six if you count the Vegas Golden Knights, though they are excluded from this list because in 2022, the only season they missed the playoffs, they didn`t possess a first-round pick and were therefore not included in the lottery.
Having missed the playoffs for the eighth time in the last ten seasons, the Canucks will hold the 15th overall selection in this year`s draft. However, this doesn`t necessarily mean they will use it themselves.
Unlike the previous season, when Vancouver made significant acquisitions for a playoff push during their 109-point campaign, General Manager Patrik Allvin decided to keep his first-round pick ahead of this year`s trade deadline. This decision was influenced by the team`s inconsistent performance, injuries, and the uncertain outcome of their season.
“I think those are the options that I`m discussing with Jim,” Allvin said Monday, referring to hockey-operations president Jim Rutherford. “Based on where some of the conversations go with other teams. . . if we feel that we could impact our team in certain boxes right away, then I definitely think that that would be something we have more in-depth conversations about.”
Rutherford stated at last month’s season-ending press conference that the Canucks plan to acquire a top-six center this summer. This goal remains a priority, even after head coach Rick Tocchet decided last week to utilize his free agency and look for employment elsewhere.
Allvin was traveling to the under-18 world tournament in Texas last Tuesday when Tocchet informed Rutherford of his decision not to return.
“I was very disappointed that that was the decision,” Allvin told Sportsnet. “But again, my respect and my working relationship with Rick Tocchet was excellent. With changes, you`ve got to embrace them. I think in this case, it`s a great opportunity to turn the page and move forward. I don`t want to take away anything from what Rick Tocchet did here and how well-liked he was, but I think for us, it`s turning the page and moving forward. I think with challenges comes a great opportunity as well.”