VANCOUVER — To grasp the impact of this draft for the Vancouver Canucks, consider that their three selections within the top 65 picks equalled the total number of picks they held in that range over the previous five years combined.
Their first-round choice on Friday night, Seattle Thunderbirds center and captain Braeden Cootes, represented the second-highest pick they have made since 2019. Furthermore, their deliberate selection of 17-year-old London Knights goaltender Alexei Medvedev at pick 47 on Saturday was their first second-round draft pick since 2021.
In total, the Canucks used their six opportunities to draft future National Hockey League players to select four centers, significantly addressing the organizational need for depth down the middle. They also added one winger and the first Russian goaltender ever drafted by the franchise.
More important than their specific positions, the selected skaters generally possess traits of being highly competitive and physically involved players who are challenging to compete against.
The Canucks organization, like many others, has taken note of the relentless and aggressive style of play demonstrated by the Florida Panthers during their journey to consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearances.
“Well, I think if you watch the playoffs… that`s what happens when the stakes are high,” explained Canucks amateur scouting director Todd Harvey on Saturday after the conclusion of the NHL’s annual talent selection event. “I believe that`s what we are trying to accomplish here: to be frustrating to play against, to be physically tough to compete with. And I think the players we’ve chosen embody that.”
“I am satisfied with every pick we’ve made. We had a specific rationale for each one. I particularly value the fact that we have selected competitive individuals. They are good people, the kind of individuals we envision becoming Vancouver Canucks. I think that is the most critical factor. When you talk about Cootes? A person of high quality. Our scouts have thoroughly evaluated all the players we selected, and they are quality people. And that holds significant importance for us.”
Tristan Blackwood