The top draft picks for the Vancouver Canucks in the 2026 NHL Draft
The Canucks have the third overall pick for the draft
The 2026 NHL Draft is on June 26. (Northwest)
The Vancouver Canucks can improve depth and skill with the third overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
Gavin McKenna, a forward for Penn State University in the NCAA, will likely be picked first overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs. The San Jose Sharks have the second pick.
While not the first pick, there’s great talent for the Canucks to choose from. Here are my top picks for the Canucks, ranging from skilled power forwards to depth defenceman.
Caleb Malhotra: Centre, Brantford Bulldogs, Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Malhotra’s name has popped up a lot lately, and I am not mad about it.
In his rookie season as a centerman in the OHL, he put up 84 points in 67 games landing him in the top 10. Malhotra’s hockey IQ is off the charts, his playmaking skills are superb, and his speed makes him a difficult target for defenders.
He would also be a force on the power play for the Canucks, an area the team severely struggled with last season.
Another factor that may edge out Malhotra is his last name. He is the son of Manny Malhotra, Vancouver Canucks’ head coach and former Canuck. He is also the nephew of two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash. Talk about sports royalty. This is the perfect time to continue the Malhotra name with Canucks — it’s meant to be.
Chase Reid: Defenceman, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, OHL
While I think Vancouver should go with a forward in the draft, adding a right-shot defenceman like Chase Reid would improve the team. Reid put up 48 points in 45 games with the Greyhounds last season, despite being sidelined for 17 games with an upper-body injury.
Reid’s skating ability is top-tier. He goes from end to end with ease and is not lazy about getting back into position. He is not overly physical, but his skating and great shot make him a tough player to beat.
The Canucks would benefit from drafting him, as he would be a great asset to the power play.
Viggo Björck: Forward, Djurgårdens IF, Swedish Hockey League (SHL)
The Canucks love drafting Sweden-born players — the Sedin twins, Alexander Edler, and Elias Pettersson — so Viggo Björck could be exactly what the team is looking for.
Björck is not your most physical forward, but he has played in a tough league like the SHL. He put up 9 points in 7 games at the 2025-26 World Junior Hockey Championships for Team Sweden. He was arguably one of Sweden’s best players in the tournament.
While Björck is not the biggest player, I would say he is one of the smartest players in this draft class. He can create great opportunities for himself and his teammates. The Canucks need a playmaker who can create scoring opportunities, and Björck is your guy.
From these three players to many more, the Canucks have lots to choose from. No matter which way the team decides to go, the player chosen will be a key part of the Vancouver Canucks’ future.
