There are two players the Canucks would have considered, and possibly drafted, ahead of Hughes who were picked from 3-to-6.
Benning did confirm one of the two was not Zadina.
That’s because the Canucks weren’t taking a winger at 7.
The Canucks were taking a centre, or a high-upside defenceman with that seventh overall pick.
Much has been made of Arizona throwing the top of the draft off kilter because the Coyotes reached on Barrett Hayton.
But word at the draft was Montreal seriously considered him at No. 3 over Kotkaniemi.
Chicago not only really liked Hayton, the Hawks looked to move up to get him.
The other team which was very high on Hayton in the top ten was …. Vancouver.
The Canucks would have considered Hayton or Kotkaniemi at seven over Hughes if available, which provides for some delicious alternate universes.
Most in Vancouver loved the Hughes pick.
Can you picture the reaction today however if they passed on Hughes for Hayton?
How about this one.
Hayton is still on the board and Red Wings draft another defenceman, Dobson or Bouchard, instead of Hughes. This is entirely plausible, because many believe they weren’t targeting Hughes there.
It would have left the Canucks with Zadina and Hughes to pick from.
What if the Canucks took Hayton over both?
In Vancouver, it would have been Armageddon .
So this draft board fell perfectly for Benning, Linden and peace in the Lower Mainland.