10 mid-to-late round players the Canucks could target at the 2025 NHL draft

Although he likely caps out as a third line centre, there’s enough of a mix to offer an intriguing and safe package in the early third round as a dependable, penalty killing pivot with potential to grow his offensive game.

Sean Barnhill

Team: Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL)
Age: 18 | Position: Defence | Height: 6-foot-6 | Weight: 214 lbs | Shoots: Right
Birthplace: Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
Stats: 54 GP, 4 G, 8 A, 12 PTS
Central Scouting rank: 64th (North American skaters)

Sean Barnhill is one of the heavier prospects in the class, and mixes it well with surprisingly smooth skating ability. His offensive game is very much a work in progress, so his draft stock is almost exclusively catered to his ability to shut down opponents.

He competes on every shift and shows strong defensive awareness. Thanks to his above-average skating and incredible reach, he’s able to make quick business of offensive rushes against and make opponents in the corners/netfront pay the price.

Although not dynamic, he’s a mid-range puck transtributor, and doesn’t shy away from jumping up in the rush when the opportunity presents itself.

That said, he’s a project defensive specialist who will help out with your penalty kill and shutdown game around the net. Like many on this list, he’s heading to College, where he will suit up for the Northeastern Huskies.

Alex Huang

Team: Chicoutimi Saguenéens (QMJHL)
Age: 17 | Position: Defence| Height: 6-foot | Weight: 161 lbs | Shoots: Right
Birthplace: Rosemère, Quebec, Canada
Stats: 64 GP, 7 G, 33 A, 40 PTS
Central Scouting rank: 77th (North American skaters)

Perhaps better suited as a forward, Alex Huang combines incredibly fluid skating with even softer hands.

He thrives as a playmaker, walks the line with impressive confidence, weaving through traffic with agility before dishing pinpoint passes. He has shifts where he spends half of it circling the zone, working give-and-goes, or setting up teammates.

However, his game is not exclusively an offensive defenceman, as there are some flashes of defensive acumen — an active stick and decent gaps. But he lacks the physical traits and overall defensive awareness that would make him a two-way defender.

That said, there is a foundation there as a right-shot option, highlighted by incredible feet and the ability to quarterback the power play down the road.

He’s also only 17, so there’s a long development path ahead. He’ll join another member of this list at Harvard University next year.

Adam Benák

Team: Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
Age: 18 | Position: Centre | Height: 5-foot-7 | Weight: 163 lbs | Shoots: Left
Birthplace: Plzen, Czechia
Stats: 56 GP, 17 G, 42 A, 59 PTS
Central Scouting rank: 58th (North American skaters)

Adam Benák is a slight but highly skilled forward. But at some point, someone will have to take the bet.

One of the best Czech juniors in the nation’s history, Benák is a player who has garnered traction for years and was once a highly ranked prospect. Unfortunately, his frame never grew, and his game never truly matched the buzz that came with him on his come-up.

That said, his playmaking ability is undeniable. He’s a smart player, with tremendous vision and a knack for threading passes few can make. Switching from the Czech circuit to the USHL, he finished in a tie for second with 42 assists, most of which came in tantalizing fashion.

Although small, he does play with some jam and isn’t afraid to put himself into the dirty areas. That said, there is a valid concern that his game may not transition well to the professional ranks.

Smaller stature or not, his talents are likely going to land him somewhere in the third round, so this would the Canucks’ chance to take a swing on offensive skill.

Bryce Pickford

Team: Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
Age: 19 | Position: Defence | Height: 6-foot | Weight: 190 lbs | Shoots: Right
Birthplace: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Stats: 48 GP, 20 G, 27 A, 47 PTS
Central Scouting rank: 100th (North American skaters)

Bryce Pickford is not only a re-entry, but a re-entry coming off an incredible career year. In 17 fewer games, he shattered his previous point totals, jumping from 17 with the Seattle Thunderbirds to 47 with the Medicine Hat Tigers.

He backed that up with an even more impressive playoff run, finishing second among all defenders with 24 points in just 18 games. Does playing with Gavin McKenna help his cause? Probably. But it’s a terrific story nonetheless.

The offensive boost is encouraging, as he’s already established with a solid foundation as a detailed defender.

He can play in all situations, he’s aggressive in the way he defends, and he’s a decent skater. As a right-shot option, he may be a very safe third-round bet.

Vincent Desjardins

Team: Blainville-Boisbriand Armada
Age: 18 | Position: Centre/Wing | Height: 5-foot-11 | Weight: 172 lbs | Shoots: Right
Birthplace: Mirabel, Quebec, Canada
Stats: 64 GP, 18 G, 63 A, 81 PTS
Central Scouting rank: 122nd (North American skaters)

Playing alongside first-round eligible and potential Canucks target Justin Carbonneau, Vincent Dejardin put up career numbers, highlighted by 63 assists.

As you’d imagine, he’s a pass-first type player, with a dependable two-way makeup. He’s incredibly poised with the puck on his stick and takes his time to find the lanes he’s looking for. When he has them, they usually equate to a beautiful pass.

His skating could use some refinement, but with a solid defensive toolkit and vision, he’s a worthy gamble this late in day two.

He is heading to the University of Nebraska-Omaha in the fall. If he can add some size and develop a more consistent shooting trigger, there could be some interesting development in the next few years.

Aidan Lane

Team: St. Andrew’s College (U18 AAA)  / Brampton Steelheads (OHL)
Age: 18 | Position: Right Wing | Height: 6-foot-2 | Weight: 192 lbs | Shoots: Right
Birthplace: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Stats: 55 GP, 34 G, 52 A, 86 PTS (AAA) / 12 GP, 7 G, 6 A, 13 PTS (OHL)
Central Scouting rank: 112th (North American skaters)

Lane was a beneficiary of the new NCAA rules, dropping his bags to jet over to the Ontario Hockey League to wrap up his draft-eligible season.

Following a stellar season in AAA, where he finished second with 86 points, he joined the Brampton Steelhead. There, he finished as a point-per-game player with 13 points, split eventually with seven goals and six assists.

He’s got a relentless motor, which pays off in all three zones and shows strong offensive awareness. He digs at the netfront, which was evident in his stint with Brampton, and he shows good vision around the net with a high offensive IQ.

With an exciting offensive package and a hard-working approach, it’s his feet that become a detriment to his game, likely the top reason for his low draft position. Assuming he does, of course.

But we’ve heard that before, and if the scouting staff has the belief in his offensive capabilities, you take the gamble on being able to work on his stride. Like so many prospects, he’s committed to the NCAA next year, where he will join Harvard.

Liam Pettersson

Team: Växjö Lakers (J20)
Age: 17 | Position: Defence | Height: 6-foot-2 | Weight: 170 lbs | Shoots: Left
Birthplace: Gislaved, Sweden
Stats: 39 GP, 6 G, 15 A, 21 PTS
Central Scouting rank: 28th (International skaters)

What, you thought we could go a year of draft coverage without highlighting a Pettersson?

But it’s not just for show and clicks.

Liam Pettersson has some real flashes and could be a boom-or-bust swing candidate on day two of the draft. Offensively, he’s got it all. He’s a strong skater and a tremendous puck-moving quarterback, able to transition the play out of his zone and up the ice with crisp outlets. As one of Vaxjo’s go-to options, he’s an offensive defenceman through and through.

The issues start piling up on the defensive end, though. By that, we mean he struggles somewhat mightily in the defensive end. Despite his lanky frame and smooth skating ability, he’s not overly assertive and struggles with gaps. 

With him, you take a swing at his transitional offensive game and work on refining the defensive stuff as he progresses over the years.

Plus, he’s a Pettersson.

LJ Mooney

Team: U.S National Team U18 (NTDP) / USNTDP (USHL) 
Age: 18 | Position: Right Wing | Height: 5-foot-7 | Weight: 157 lbs | Shoots: Right
Birthplace: West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, USA
Stats: 51 GP, 10 G, 41 A, 51 PTS (NTDP) / 26 GP, 5 G, 23 A, 28 PTS (USHL)
Central Scouting rank: 206th (North American skaters)

He’s 5-foot-7, but believe us when we say…he’d be one of your favourite prospects to follow if he did end up being drafted. He’s a classic case of “if he were a few inches taller, he’d be an easy high-end prospect.”

Despite his size, he’s an incredible workhorse, refusing to quit on plays while he waves in and out of traffic with his terrific hands and speed. If there’s a player who’s going to persevere and break into the pro game despite his size limitations, Mooney feels like a pretty good bet.

Cousin to Logan Cooley, he carries that same dynamic offensive style, stickhandling through phone booths and setting up linemates with clever and crafty passes. The vision he brings and his eclectic skill set are certainly going to pique some interest. Quite literally, he carries the type of archetype that could go anywhere from the third to undrafted with the size factor.

Are you willing to look past the stature and bring in a highly offensive American? Someone will.

Jan Chovan

Team: Tappara U20 (U20 SM-Sarja)
Age: 18 | Position: Centre | Height: 6-foot-3 | Weight: 187 lbs | Shoots: Left
Birthplace: Bratislava, Slovakia
Stats: 39 GP, 11 G, 12 A, 23 PTS
Central Scouting rank: 16th (International skaters)

It’s not often that the Canucks pluck from the Slovakia area, but Jan Chovan could be a decent late-draft target.

Known for his versatile, two-way approach, he can play minutes in all situations. He brings a polished defensive approach and solid IQ.

The most intriguing aspect of his profile, however, is likely his size. With a powerful frame, he’s able to protect the puck and drive to the net. He’s likely not to wow you on the scoresheet, but projects as a projectable and dependable bottom-six centre.

If he’s abavailble in the back-half of the draft, he’s an easy target for the Vancouver Canucks.

Are there any players who have caught your eye in the late stages of the draft? Make sure to leave a comment below.

Read our prospect profile for the Canucks’ options at 15th overall next:

Brady Martin

Carter Bear

Braeden Cootes

Justin Carbonneau

Kashawn Aitcheson

Cole Reschny