Vancouver Canucks Draft Review

After the Vancouver Canucks won the 2nd overall pick in the lottery fans knew this would be a key draft for the organization. GM Travis Fleming would finally get that cornerstone piece he’s be looking for since starting the rebuild. However, it turns out the team that pick would just be the start for the Canucks.

Vancouver shocked many by dealing star forward Alex Debrincat for Conor Garland, the 9th overall pick, Anthony Angello, and Pittsburgh’s 3rd round selection. Then, just days before the draft, Ben Bishop, Jake McCabe, and the 3rd acquired in the Debrincat deal were traded for the 24th overall pick, New Jersey’s 4th round selection, and a 5th round pick next year.

When all was said and done the Canucks were left with three first-round picks in what could be a franchise-changing draft. Of course, it wasn’t that long ago that Vancouver had four first-round picks in 2018, and those players have since all been traded, so who knows.

In any case, here’s a breakdown of all the Canucks’ picks in the 2020 EHE draft.

2nd Overall: Tim Stuetzle

Vancouver didn’t waste time making waves by using their first pick to select German sensation Tim Stuetzle. Quinton Byfield has long been seen as the consensus second-best player in this draft, but Stuetzle’s play in the DEL left some wondering if Stuetzle had over-taken him. Clearly, the Canucks brass felt that way.

Stuetzle was impressive while playing against men in Germany’s top league, registering 34 points in 41 games.

What GM Travis Fleming had to say:

“This was probably the toughest pick I’ve ever had to make. I really love both Stuetzle and Byfield and I think they’re both going to be amazing players in this league. In the end though, it came down to EHE-readiness and skill. I think Byfield might need another year in junior while our scouts think Stuetzle can jump right in. And after a number of viewings of both players we just felt like Stuetzle was a little more dynamic.”

9th Overall: Alexander Holtz

Many were shocked when Swedish sniper Alexander Holtz fell to the Canucks at the ninth selection. After the Wild went off the board to take Marat Khusnutdinov with the eighth pick Vancouver wasted no time taking Holtz at number nine. Seen by many as the best pure scorer in the draft, Holtz should make an excellent addition to the Canucks’ roster in the next couple years.

Holtz tallied 9 goals and 16 points in the Swedish Elite League last season. And in 8 games this season he already has 4 goals and 2 assists.

What GM Travis Fleming had to say:

“We were ready to take a completely different player with this pick. In fact, we already had our pick queued up before the Wild made their selection. We all know how much (Minnesota GM Harald Geissler) loves his Scandanavian players. I didn’t think there was any way he’d pass on Holtz. But hey, props to Harald for having the balls to do that. You can’t let other people’s rankings influence your pick. If you think someone is the best player available you take him no matter what other people might think. That being said, as far as we were concerned Holtz was by far the best player left at that time, so we were thrilled to get him.”

24th Overall: Lukas Reichel

The Canucks selected their second German player of the draft when they took Lukas Reichel with the 24th pick. Reichel opened some eyes at last year’s World Juniors when he recorded 5 points in 7 games. He’s known for his exceptional skating, slick hands, and high compete level.

Reichel impressed many with his production as an 18-year-old in the DEL last season, scoring 12 goals and 24 points in 42 games.

What GM Travis Fleming had to say:

“I always like it when a young kid can excel in a mens league. It’s one thing when you can tear it up against junior-aged players, but if you can score against men it bodes well for your chances of making it to the EHE. We also really love his skating. So many of the prospects we scouted for this draft had a lot of issues with their skating, but not this kid. He’s so smooth and fluid out there, which is something we put a premium on."

71st Overall: Johannes Kinnvall

Vancouver must have seen something they really liked in Johannes Kinnvall, because they dealt two fourth round picks to move into the third round and take him. Kinnvall is an offensive defenseman who has the skills and vision to be a potential powerplay quarterback in the future.

He had an excellent season in the Swedish Elite League last year, recording 40 points in 51 games. It looks like he may smash those career highs this year though, as he already has 7 points in just 5 games so far this season.

What GM Travis Fleming had to say:

“We had a few guys who we were targeting in the later rounds, and Kinnvall was at the top of that list. However, a lot of our guys were getting picked and that list was dwindling. The GMs in this league are so smart. Every year I think I have one or two guys that no one else will know about, and then sure enough they get taken. You can’t pull a fast one on these guys, they’re way too good. So, seeing what was going on I decided to move up to ensure we got Kinnvall. The guy has looked amazing in the Swedish league so far and I think he has a really good shot at being an impact guy in the EHE in the next couple years.”

115th Overall: Jacob Bryson

With their last pick in the 2020 draft, the Canucks select defenceman Jacob Bryson. A smooth-skating rearguard with some offensive upside, Bryson is said to be very close to potentially making the EHE in the near future, which is probably a big reason why Vancouver took a chance on him late in the draft.

While playing in the AHL last season, Bryson record 27 points in 61 games.

What GM Travis Fleming had to say:

“Bryson is someone we’ve had our eye on for a while. He’s the type of skilled new-age defenceman everyone is looking for. We think he has a real chance at making the EHE someday. For now, he’ll be an excellent addition to the Utica Comets.”