It feels likely that the Vancouver Canucks will eventually trade it away, but for now, they hold the 15th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.
As a result, we here at CanucksArmy have begun our draft preparation, and until that pick is officially traded away, we’re going to operate as if the club will use that 15th overall pick to draft a player. We’ve already published our first draft prospect profile, where Dave Hall took a look at Brady Martin. You can read that article by clicking here.
Steven Ellis (DailyFaceoff.com): Roger McQueen, C
Steven Ellis of Daily Faceoff has the Canucks selecting centre Roger McQueen at 15th overall in his latest mock draft. Here is what Ellis wrote:
“This is a high-risk, high-reward pick – but one I think could prove to be huge. McQueen missed a large chunk of the season due to a back injury and couldn’t replicate his hot start down the stretch. Still, there’s so much upside from the 6-foot-5 right-shot center. It’s just a question of whether a team feels confident he’s at full strength moving forward as to where he’ll fall. There’s legit top-five upside here, so don’t be surprised if he goes much higher.”
Adam Kimelman (NHL.com): Kashawn Aitcheson, LHD
Here is what NHL.com deputy managing editor Adam Kimelman had to say about the Canucks possibly selecting LD Kashawn Aitcheson at 15th overall.
“He brings an entertaining mix of offensive skill and brute strength that makes him a nightmare to play against, similar to Ducks defenseman Jacob Trouba. The left-handed shot was smart with his aggressive style, finishing with 88 penalty minutes and a plus-6 rating in 64 games, while also drawing the toughest defensive assignments each game.”
Mike G. Morreale (NHL.com): Carter Bear, C/W
NHL.com senior draft writer Mike G. Morreale writes the following about Carter Bear:
“The versatile forward can play center but seems most effective on wing, where he led Everett in goals (40), power-play goals (14) and points (82) in 56 games. The left-handed shot plays the bumper on the power play and had four short-handed points (two goals, two assists). Bear can scale a lineup, is hard on plays and will finish checks. A lacerated Achilles tendon sustained in March may drop him to the mid-to-late teens in the draft.”
Sam Cosentino (Sportsnet): Braeden Cootes, C
Here is what Sportsnet’s Sam Cosentino wrote about the Canucks selecting the Seattle Thunderbirds centre:
“Cootes is coming fresh off an amazing U18 gold medal performance and has slowly and methodically risen in the ranks. He’s always in the fight and has proven his skill is on point as well. This would be a safe pick for a team that’s had a lot of drama lately.”
Cory Pronman/Thomas Drance (The Athletic): Justin Carbonneau, RW
The Athletic has QMJHL winger Justin Carbonneau as the Canucks’ pick at 15th overall. Here is what Thomas Drance had to say about the potential selection:
The Canucks will explore their options on the trade market with the 15th selection at the draft, but if they stick and pick, they’ll need to add offensive juice to their lineup above all other considerations. Carbonneau would fit the bill, and do so with the sort of “heavy skill” template this team is desperate for.
Craig Button (TSN): Cole Reschny, C
Finally, TSN‘s Craig Button has the Canucks taking Cole Reschny at 15th overall. Here is what Button said about the 18-year-old Victoria Royals forward who amassed 26 goals and 92 points in 62 WHL games this season.
“He’s a centre, they need centres,” said Button. “Jim Rutherford and Patrik Allvin have talked about trying to build out their team with [centres]. With Cole Reschny, you’re not going to get a lot of flash and dash. What you’re going to get is massive productivity from him in every single area of the game. He makes everybody around him better as well as the team.”
Who would you like to see the Canucks select at 15th overall?
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