Vancouver Canucks Draft Review

While it didn’t have the excitement of last year’s draft (which saw the Canucks make four first-round selections), this year’s event still proved to be fruitful for GM Travis Fleming.

After the lottery balls didn’t fall Vancouver’s way, Fleming took matters into his own hands and dealt the team’s first and second-round picks, along with Sean Durzi, for the 4th overall selection. The deal marked the first time the Canucks would ever pick in the top five of the draft and guaranteed the team would get a much-need high-end prospect.

Two other deals were also struck during the draft. Fleming turned the #79 pick in two others (picks 88 and 139). He also dealt Markus Nutivaara, pick 117, and $500,000 for Alex Iafallo and Jake Middleton.

In the end, the Canucks made six selections. Here’s a review of all of their picks.

#4: Alex Turcotte (C)

Word has it the Canucks were high on defenseman Bowen Byram, but Turcotte is a great consolation prize and could prove to be the better player over time. While he missed some time this season with injury, when he was in the lineup he was arguable the USNDP’s second-best player. His points-per-game numbers are truly impressive, and a solid two-way game makes him a virtual lock for the NHL one day. Turcotte will be attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison next season.

#56: Vladislav Gavrikov (D)

According to Fleming, Gavrikov was on the team’s radar last season. However, concerns around whether the hulking defenseman would come to North America dissuaded the Canucks from using a pick on him. But with his NHL contract now signed Fleming had no qualms about taking him with the 56th pick in the draft. Gavrikov should challenge for a spot on the Blue Jackets roster next season, and while he may not have the offensive potential of some other picks, his stellar defensive play should lead to a solid NHL career.

#88: Max Veronneau (RW)

After putting up an impressive 55 points in his sophomore season at Princeton, Max Veronneau took a step back this year when he only recorded 37. But 12 games and four points with the Ottawa Senators at the end of the season proved the right wing could hang in the NHL, and that was enough for Fleming to use the 88th pick on him. Veronneau should compete for a spot on the Sens roster this season and projects as a solid middle-six wing with some offensive upside.

#104: Lucas Carlsson (D)

Word has it that the Canucks have had Carlsson on their list for the last three years. And after a solid campaign in the AHL that saw the Swedish defenceman notch 33 points, Fleming finally pulled the trigger. Carlsson is known as a smooth-skating, defensively responsible defender who’s able to join the rush. If he has another showing in the AHL like he did last year he may push for an NHL job in 2021.

#139: Ben Jones (C)

A 7th round selection in the NHL’s 2017 draft, Ben Jones has flown largely under the radar. But the centre has improved every year since he was drafted, and a 102 point season in the OHL finally made people take notice. While he was a fair bit older than much of his competition this season, those type of number in your draft +2 season are still impressive. Jones will be heading to the AHL next year for his first season of pro hockey.

#152: Mathias Emilio Pettersen (C)

Mathias Emilio Pettersen has been on the hockey radar since a video of his puck skills went viral when he was just 10 years old. Of course, a few YouTube videos aren’t enough to get you drafted in the EHE. It was his 30 point freshman season for the University of Denver that really caught Fleming’s attention and forced the team to make the centre their final selection in 2019. Pettersen was one of the NCAA’s best first-year players last season, and the Canucks are hoping he continues to improve on his progress when he returns for his Sophomore year.