Can you tell me why we should take those kids with players like Mutryn, Cali, Preston, Morozov, Ignatavicius, Dagenais or Pugachyov likely still on the board? How would those two make the Nucks better rather than a combo of the players I listed?
Prospect Info: The 2026 NHL Draft First Round Thread - Part 4
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I'm no scout, so I have no idea where the Ruck brothers will go in this draft. From all reports, Liam is the more dynamic goal-scorer and has been rated anywhere from the teens in the first round to 25th overall. His brother Marcus is rated as an early to mid second rounder.
Obviously if they're on record as stating they'd like to play together--that might cause their stock to fall a bit.
As for what kind of players they are, I have to defer to posters who follow the WHL a lot more closely than I do. But for a pair of 17-year-olds to dominate the way they did with 108 and 104 points, I mean surely that has to be almost unprecedented in WHL history. I mean they far outperformed the Canucks' prized center prospect Braeden Cootes.
I know the knock on them is 'size and skating'. But Hockey DB has them listed at 6' and 177. So it isn't inconceivable that they're 20 pounds heavier by the time they hit the NHL. That's not 'big' but it's not 'small' either.
It's likely that Liam at least is gone by the time the Canucks pick 24th, so it's probably a moot point anyway.
But listening to both twins being interviewed at the Draft Combine, they kind of reminded me of Russ and Geoff Courtnall, who had solid NHL careers. Although I don't believe they ever played together.
Obviously if they're on record as stating they'd like to play together--that might cause their stock to fall a bit.
As for what kind of players they are, I have to defer to posters who follow the WHL a lot more closely than I do. But for a pair of 17-year-olds to dominate the way they did with 108 and 104 points, I mean surely that has to be almost unprecedented in WHL history. I mean they far outperformed the Canucks' prized center prospect Braeden Cootes.
I know the knock on them is 'size and skating'. But Hockey DB has them listed at 6' and 177. So it isn't inconceivable that they're 20 pounds heavier by the time they hit the NHL. That's not 'big' but it's not 'small' either.
It's likely that Liam at least is gone by the time the Canucks pick 24th, so it's probably a moot point anyway.
But listening to both twins being interviewed at the Draft Combine, they kind of reminded me of Russ and Geoff Courtnall, who had solid NHL careers. Although I don't believe they ever played together.
Canucker
Go Hawks!
Andy Dufresne
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Think we’re generally aligned. The high scoring poor defence / low compete guys don’t interest me much either because they’re either not going to make it, or if they do they are going to put up a bunch of points on a bad team then not be worth their second or third contracts when this team should be peaking.
I’m ok if they take one guy like Mutryn a low upside defensive defender, but the Prestons of the world are way more interesting to me right now.
The Courtnall's played together here for the last part of the 1994/95 season and the playoffs. It was an abbreviated lockout season, the Canucks weren't so great in the regular season, acquired Russ for Gus Adams, then looked like they might have a run in them after beating the Blues in the first round before getting swept by Chicago in a tight second round series. Odd that a sweep can be tight, but 3 games went into OT with other being a 2-0 Hawks win. Russ and Bure were a sight on the PK, I almost hoped the Canucks would get penalized just to see them wreak havoc.
The Hawks series was memorable for me because I was fishing up at Tunkwa and could only get parts of the games on my radio. Good trip though, caught a bunch of fish, and broke in some new fly gear and new GF.
Anyway, Geoff left that offseason, I think they tried to low ball him once they picked up Russ, and after Ronning left the following summer, that was basically it for the '94 team. As fond as I was of Pat Quinn, it was a major mistake letting those two go, both had a series of productive seasons and were worthy of their contracts after leaving, and it ripped a good part of the heart right out of the team. Mogilny once said Ronning was his favourite center to play with.
So, yeah, to make a short story long, they played together.
If they take what projects to be 3rd liners, those kids need to bring something. Be it size, speed, compete, physicality, checking, etc. Need to bring something to impact the game from the bottom 6.
Those smaller kids who have skill, if they don't have either compete or a 200 foot game, if they don't score at a high level, I agree, they'll end up being the types who put up points on bad teams but won't show up when it gets tough.
Hoping to get guys who can be here and be good contributors when they can return to the PO in the 2030's
Fatass
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If you get an offer from college, I think that should mean that you met the qualifications to get into that school.
MarkusNaslund19
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MarkusNaslund19
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Courtnall got a massive contract from the Keenan Blues who were throwing it around that off season.
Quinn didn't qualify Ronning to keep his RFA rights which was unhinged. He banked on Josef Beranek (sigh) instead.
I can’t. I haven’t followed the back half of the draft. That wasn’t my point though. I was giving an example of where the Canucks can exploit the situation. The Rucks generally project higher than 24 and 33, but their statements, NCAA eligibility (with NIL), and increasing player autonomy means that teams might balk at taking them 1st rd. Then instead of picks 24 and 33 it might be closer to picks 18 and 20 in value.
Either way, they seem polarizing, and I don’t think the Canucks should or will take them unless it’s with the 33rd pick.
Andy Dufresne
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“Yeah, I think that’s the plan,” said Markus.
“We talked to Gavin (McKenna) a little bit about NCAA, and he thought it was great for him to challenge himself against bigger players. His path is a little different than ours, and we’re not trying to rush things. It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon. We’re not the biggest guys right now, so we have some stuff we still want to work on, and we don’t think it’ll hurt us to play another year with Medicine Hat.”
From the Athletic here:Canucks NHL Combine notes: The Ruck twins, Ivar Stenberg and Viggo Björck
BOBBY9
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The Canucks need to use the:
Minny 1st
Sharks 2nd
Canucks 2nd
And move in to the the 13-18th range and pick another high end player.
3rd and 15th would be a dream.
Minny 1st
Sharks 2nd
Canucks 2nd
And move in to the the 13-18th range and pick another high end player.
3rd and 15th would be a dream.
Hansen
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I’m impressed how McKenna dominated the fitness testing
Oscar Hemming did very well also, he had the widest wingspan in the class (more than 6’7.25 Sok-) v interested to see where he goes. If anyone is worth moving up into the teens for he is it
Oscar Hemming did very well also, he had the widest wingspan in the class (more than 6’7.25 Sok-) v interested to see where he goes. If anyone is worth moving up into the teens for he is it
Diablo2020
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Florida at 9, 40 and 48 are who we should be hounding and Lekkerimaki, Mancini, Tolopilo on top of picks is what we should be peddling.
lawrence
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Can Robinson mentioned that they’ve been poached by schools but will opt to go back to the whl with college option still opened after next year.
lawrence
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I would love to get to 15 by maybe packaging Debrusk with some seconds or thirds
I think Minnys pick will have a player with enough upside and we can take a swing
Washington could be a good partner, it’s maybe the worst UFA class ever
Peen
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I just want that second pick to be either someone with some nastiness/size, or be a scoring profile high risk/high reward that legitimately projects into a top six or top four guy.
If they think they can get that at 24, cool. If not, then yeah it’d be nice to push.
Baby Buium
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It definitely throws those "lazy" allegations in the air. Still on ice is a different story but it definitely shines a positive light on McKenna.
lawrence
Registered User
This YouTuber made an video analyzing McKenna’s poor backchecking and "floater" style. His research reveals Patrick Kane displayed very similar traits during his draft year.
Pity we didn’t win the lottery. I will very happy with McKenna.
On the side note, just found out, (correct me if I’m wrong) that veheroff is the only d-1 to score 20 goals as a defender in the whl.
Pugachyov at 24 or Harrington at 33 are two guys I’m very interested in who fit that profile. I’m just hoping Debrusk can get us a later 1st so we don’t miss out on one of the big C’a as well.
I can totally see Chicago taking him at 4th OA if Stenberg is taken.
Most of this years 1st held by PO teams went to non PO teams. No chance they are paying a 1st for Jake if they are not contending.
UFA Market is thin. I think any Debrusk trade is likely for a '27 pick.
PO teams with their '26 first are:
LA, Utah, Phi, Pitt, Bos, Buf, Mon, Car, Ott
UFA Market is thin. I think any Debrusk trade is likely for a '27 pick.
PO teams with their '26 first are:
LA, Utah, Phi, Pitt, Bos, Buf, Mon, Car, Ott
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VanillaCoke
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Let us pray the leafs got bamboozled by stenberg WC highlights, and the Sharks want their own American scoring defenseman, finally breaking our way with McKenna having the potential to be pretty dominant offensively.
One or two more breaks in our favor, like a win Debrusk trade (25th), and things are coming up Milhouse.
One or two more breaks in our favor, like a win Debrusk trade (25th), and things are coming up Milhouse.
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