2025 DRAFT Thread

[Hodgy]

Roger McQueen sliding to us would be insanity

I think, even with his injury risk, he goes in the top ten given that he's a 6'5" centre putting up good numbers in the WHL.

But man, what an all time name. Best name in the draft for sure. He's like the spiritual hockey child of Roger Moore and Steve McQueen.

 

[VanJack]

Regardless of this year's crushing disappointment, I always feel better about the current Canuck front office when it comes to the entry draft. Far more optimistic than the last regime.

Even in drafts where they surrender some picks at the top--they always seem able to unearth somebody. So if their 2025 first rounder ends up being in 10-12 range, I'm optimistic they'll find a kid with some serious upside. And in the past, they've definitely 'hit' on a number guys drafted well into the 3-7 rounds.

And not to forget, heading into the June draft, they still have their second round pick; and the third rounder belonging to the Sharks.

It's up to the amateur scouts to maximize those picks--but this group just seems to have a far better idea of the kind of players they want to draft.

 

[clay]

Roger McQueen sliding to us would be insanity

He has a lot of red flags with his injuries - apparently the same condition as Vilardi who hasn’t been able to stay healthy his entire career. His production also hasn’t popped when he’s been able to play. Shades of Nolan Patrick as well.

The two guys I think have crazy potential are the two 5’10 WHL centres Reschny and Kindel. Would be very pumped with either one. High IQ creative play drivers with great production that would both be firmly in the top 10 if they weren’t “only” 5’10 at 17. Brayden Point was 5’9 in his draft year.

 

[lawrence]

Wow… I’ve been reading through a ton of scouting reports, and there’s a glut of “two-way centers” available. Most seem like low-ceiling players with limited first-line upside. At this point, the only prospects in our draft range that stand out are Justin Carbonneau and Carter Bear. The rest of the options feel underwhelming—even Jake O’Brien’s report lacks excitement. Honestly, I’m even open to trading our 1st-round pick again.

Carbonneau’s scouting report emphasizes his elite shooting, scoring instincts, and slick stick-handling. Meanwhile, Bear appears to have the highest offensive upside among the centers projected to be available.

 

[ManVanFan]

Wow… I’ve been reading through a ton of scouting reports, and there’s a glut of “two-way centers” available. Most seem like low-ceiling players with limited first-line upside. At this point, the only prospects in our draft range that stand out are Justin Carbonneau and Carter Bear. The rest of the options feel underwhelming—even Jake O’Brien’s report lacks excitement. Honestly, I’m even open to trading our 1st-round pick again.

Carbonneau’s scouting report emphasizes his elite shooting, scoring instincts, and slick stick-handling. Meanwhile, Bear appears to have the highest offensive upside among the centers projected to be available.

At 16oa things get a bit thin for upside. I really don't think they should trade away their first or second this year. As long as there isn't a run on forwards for the first 15 picks easily a forward of top 6 upside will be available to the Canucks. Center or winger. Some years a trade down is an idea that Van hasn't ever taken advantage of and I highly doubt that it ever will with this scouting staff.

 

[StreetHawk]

At 16oa things get a bit thin for upside. I really don't think they should trade away their first or second this year. As long as there isn't a run on forwards for the first 15 picks easily a forward of top 6 upside will be available to the Canucks. Center or winger. Some years a trade down is an idea that Van hasn't ever taken advantage of and I highly doubt that it ever will with this scouting staff.

Hopefully there is a C there. Not against taking a D if that is potentially something that can be used in trade later if that kid develops. So, not locked into just taking a F.

 

[ManVanFan]

Hopefully there is a C there. Not against taking a D if that is potentially something that can be used in trade later if that kid develops. So, not locked into just taking a F.

Misa, Hagens, Frondell, Desnoyers, McQueen, O'Brien, Martin, Cootes, Nesbitt, Reschny, Ryabkin, Murtagh, Mckinney, Moore, Gastrin If the Canucks can't get at least 1 of these 15 centers somewhere in the first round I'd be concerned haha

I think this management has backed themselves into a corner with absolutely having to take a forward. Not necessarily a center but a forward.

 

[StreetHawk]

Misa, Hagens, Frondell, Desnoyers, McQueen, O'Brien, Martin, Cootes, Nesbitt, Reschny, Ryabkin, Murtagh, Mckinney, Moore, Gastrin If the Canucks can't get at least 1 of these 15 centers somewhere in the first round I'd be concerned haha

I think this management has backed themselves into a corner with absolutely having to take a forward. Not necessarily a center but a forward.

They had limited draft capital in the 202x's. 2023 they went heavy on D.
2020 - 1st, 2nd were traded
2021 - 1st and 3rd were trade. 2nd in Klim not looking good
2022 - 2nd was traded. Lekky/Petey look good
2023 - Wallander looks good. 2nd was traded. Leaned heavy on D this draft.
2024 - 1st and 2nd were traded, and also Fernstrom the 3rd rounder
2025 - have all of the picks.

Lekky, Petey, Wallander through 5 drafts in the 2020's.

 

[ManVanFan]

They had limited draft capital in the 202x's. 2023 they went heavy on D.
2020 - 1st, 2nd were traded
2021 - 1st and 3rd were trade. 2nd in Klim not looking good
2022 - 2nd was traded. Lekky/Petey look good
2023 - Wallander looks good. 2nd was traded. Leaned heavy on D this draft.
2024 - 1st and 2nd were traded, and also Fernstrom the 3rd rounder
2025 - have all of the picks.

Lekky, Petey, Wallander through 5 drafts in the 2020's.

Patience is not something the Canucks have ever been very good at. I understand they can't and aren't going to keep every pick every year but they definitely give away far too many far too often. They should have a run of picking in the 1st and 2nd rounds if they have any ideas of sustained success in my mind.

 

[ManVanFan]

We know that there are some names on this list that will be called by the Canucks in June.

 

[StreetHawk]

Patience is not something the Canucks have ever been very good at. I understand they can't and aren't going to keep every pick every year but they definitely give away far too many far too often. They should have a run of picking in the 1st and 2nd rounds if they have any ideas of sustained success in my mind.

I agree. But, they aren't really in the place to wait 3 years for prospects. Have to make something happen.
But, have to draft/develop. Unlike the NFL, you can't find players in all rounds. NFL you can because of scheme fits and rotational/situation formations.

2020 - 1st for Miller - worth it. 2nd for Toffoli. Needed to keep him to make it worthwhile.
2021 - 1st for OEL - not worth it. 3rd for Dickinson not worth it.
2022 - 2nd for OEL/Garland. Count it more for Garland, so that would be worth it.
2023 - 2nd for Hronek. Worth it.
2024 - 1st for Lindholm (took a big swing). 2nd to dump Dickinson (that sucked)

 

[ManVanFan]

I agree. But, they aren't really in the place to wait 3 years for prospects. Have to make something happen.
But, have to draft/develop. Unlike the NFL, you can't find players in all rounds. NFL you can because of scheme fits and rotational/situation formations.

2020 - 1st for Miller - worth it. 2nd for Toffoli. Needed to keep him to make it worthwhile.
2021 - 1st for OEL - not worth it. 3rd for Dickinson not worth it.
2022 - 2nd for OEL/Garland. Count it more for Garland, so that would be worth it.
2023 - 2nd for Hronek. Worth it.
2024 - 1st for Lindholm (took a big swing). 2nd to dump Dickinson (that sucked)

Couple options then, you got full out to win in the next two years, literally dump ever assets you have for the next few years to win now. If you don't win, you have no future and no Hughes. Or steady build that even if you don't win in the next two years, there looks like a future that Hughes will want to be apart of. Personally I'm choosing the second option because if Hughes leaves, then at least you are left with a future. You would need a miracle or two for this team to win or be close to being a cup contender next season and by the sounds of it, those miracles aren't going to happen.

 

[ManVanFan]

Picking in the 15 range this year unless someone really drops from their list, this would be the year where I would absolutely trade down. If the option is to pick say Ben Kindel or Brady Martin at 15 or trade down with Philly and Pick Braden Cootes at 22 and pick again at 36 and grab Cole McKinney. I'd much rather take the chance at getting 2 players with similar upside.

After pick 12 I think you get into a tier that 13-mid 30s are very interchangeable.

 

[Nucker42]

Picking in the 15 range this year unless someone really drops from their list, this would be the year where I would absolutely trade down. If the option is to pick say Ben Kindel or Brady Martin at 15 or trade down with Philly and Pick Braden Cootes at 22 and pick again at 36 and grab Cole McKinney. I'd much rather take the chance at getting 2 players with similar upside.

After pick 12 I think you get into a tier that 13-mid 30s are very interchangeable.

Can’t remember a time where the Canucks have ever traded down in the 1st or 2nd round? Lower rounds yes but traditionally they don’t and they don’t accrue assets for taking bad contracts. Just certain things I’ve never seen them do, no idea why.

 

[StreetHawk]

Picking in the 15 range this year unless someone really drops from their list, this would be the year where I would absolutely trade down. If the option is to pick say Ben Kindel or Brady Martin at 15 or trade down with Philly and Pick Braden Cootes at 22 and pick again at 36 and grab Cole McKinney. I'd much rather take the chance at getting 2 players with similar upside.

After pick 12 I think you get into a tier that 13-mid 30s are very interchangeable.

Over the last couple seasons is that the cost to moving draft picks around?

Chi/NYI did a deal last season and Chicago sent our 2nd in the 50's out to complete it.
Carolina dropped out of rd 1 to take 2 seconds.

You get more the further you are willing to drop (and have a pick in a range that there are still good players on the board for the team to covet). SJ, in 2022 went from 11 to 27, and added 2 seconds.

 

[ManVanFan]

Over the last couple seasons is that the cost to moving draft picks around?

Chi/NYI did a deal last season and Chicago sent our 2nd in the 50's out to complete it.
Carolina dropped out of rd 1 to take 2 seconds.

You get more the further you are willing to drop (and have a pick in a range that there are still good players on the board for the team to covet). SJ, in 2022 went from 11 to 27, and added 2 seconds.

It happened a lot last year.

Buffalo traded down 3 spots and got 42nd. It depends on what's available on the board to another team. Normally if you want to drop 3 spots in a draft in the middle, it costs usually a 3rd rounder. Just depends on how teams view tiers of players.

 

[StreetHawk]

It happened a lot last year.

Buffalo traded down 3 spots and got 42nd. It depends on what's available on the board to another team. Normally if you want to drop 3 spots in a draft in the middle, it costs usually a 3rd rounder. Just depends on how teams view tiers of players.

A lot of the picks from 17-32 have been traded to teams picking ahead of Van. I think it's 10 of them have been dealt. So, teams will have late teens and 20's picks, along with their own in the 30's to early 40's to decide if the quality at 14/15 is worth the trade up.

 

[lawrence]

2024 - 1st for Lindholm (took a big swing). 2nd to dump Dickinson (that sucked)

trade would have worked out for us hand we signed lindholm.

 

[Coffee]

As we itch closer to the draft, the attention shifts towards posters like Lawrence, Lemon, LB and a dozen other prominent posters who usually do more research then the rest in this regard

 

[Nona Di Giuseppe]

I think, even with his injury risk, he goes in the top ten given that he's a 6'5" centre putting up good numbers in the WHL.

But man, what an all time name. Best name in the draft for sure. He's like the spiritual hockey child of Roger Moore and Steve McQueen.

if we are drafting based on names: Jack Murtagh

he could be a... ... lethal weapon.

 

[Nona Di Giuseppe]

trade would have worked out for us hand we signed lindholm.

except lindholm is terrible (suter >>> lindholm)

 

[F A N]

if we are drafting based on names: Jack Murtagh

he could be a... ... lethal weapon.

I feel that that he won't age well.

 

[LemonSauceD]

Watch us draft a franchise player because our historic win in Dallas the other night aligned the stars and blah blah blah put us in a particular spot in the standings blah blah blah and yeah GOOD NIGHT.

 

[wetcoast]

Roger McQueen sliding to us would be insanity

We can't roll the dice and gambe on his health as that would be a greater insanity.

 

[wetcoast]

Misa, Hagens, Frondell, Desnoyers, McQueen, O'Brien, Martin, Cootes, Nesbitt, Reschny, Ryabkin, Murtagh, Mckinney, Moore, Gastrin If the Canucks can't get at least 1 of these 15 centers somewhere in the first round I'd be concerned haha

I think this management has backed themselves into a corner with absolutely having to take a forward. Not necessarily a center but a forward.

They need to take a potential top 6 center with their first pick, just look at our system and the UFA/trade market for centers.