NHL Draft: The best (but mostly the worst) draft moves by the Canucks

National Post

26-06-2025

Article content
Secondly, players that should be building blocks will be in the 23-to-32 age range. Each organization is unique in how it manages assets, as management often trades draft choices for immediate help. Players may be late-bloomers and eventually meet the criteria set in the analysis down the road.
Article content
So, if that's the case, then who's to blame for what has transpired here? Is it an individual, the collective or how scouts are hired and deployed? Former Canucks general manager Mike Gillis knew drafting and developing weren't good enough when he took command in April 2008, but the organization was reluctant to make scouting changes.
Article content
'It's the personnel,' said Malloy. 'Not being mean against any people, I look at hockey from a business perspective. The players are just the result. If they don't play well, it's a reflection of the decisions you make with amateur scouting, your pro staff and development.'
Article content
Article content
Article content
1. Elias Pettersson (fifth overall, 2017)
Article content
Joined elite franchise company with those who authored 100-point campaigns — Pavel Bure (110, 107); Henrik (112) and Daniel Sedin (104); Markus Naslund (110); and Alex Mogilny (107). First member of rich 2017 draft class to hit 300-point mark in 306 games.
Article content
2. Ryan Kesler (23rd overall, 2003)
Article content
Dominant two-way centre played hard and hurt. A 41-goal season in 2010-11 — including factoring in 11 of 14 goals in a second-round playoff demolition of the Nashville Predators — contributed to Selke Trophy with 98.3 per cent of the vote total.
Article content
3. Quinn Hughes (seventh overall, 2018)
Article content
In 2023-24, career highs for goals (17), assists (75) and points (92) to set single-season standard for franchise blueliners. Plays hurt. Plays sick. Plays crazy minutes. Tempers tough assessments with a silver lining to present the balance. Consummate captain.
Article content
4. Alex Edler (91st overall, 2004)
Article content
Compiled career-high 11 goals and 49 points in 2011-12 to cement offensive potential. Added physical presence in 2012 playoffs and led franchise blueliners in games (925), goals (99), assists (310) and points (409), before his marks were passed by Hughes.
Article content
1. Patrick White (25th overall, 2007)
Article content
Wasn't in draft guide. Just 18 high-school goals and eight in USHL and 27 goals in four seasons at the University of Minnesota. Never played a game in the NHL. Was shipped to San Jose in August 2009, along with Daniel Rahimi, for Christian Ehrhoff and Brad Lukowich.
Article content
Whether back and knee procedures, or overwhelmed being picked one spot ahead of Matthew Tkachuk, never looked comfortable. His 23 NHL games amounted to just two goals, three points. Often looked lost. Dealt to Florida for Juho Lammikko and Noah Juulsen.
Article content
Article content
3. Nathan Smith (23rd overall, 2000)
Article content
After 28-goal and 90-point season with Swift Current (WHL), the centre struggled. Often injured and played four games for the Canucks. Knee injury in third season almost ended career. Career with three NHL teams amounted to 26 games and no points.
Article content
4. Jordan Schroeder (22nd overall, 2009)
Article content
Small size and third-liner who suffered shoulder injury and ankle fracture before 2013-14 season. Wasn't moving ahead of Henrik Sedin or Kesler. Scored just six goals in 56 games over two seasons. Played in Minnesota, Columbus and Europe last six seasons.
Article content