Canucks Draft Novotny at 24: 2 Positives & Two Questions

The Vancouver Canucks used the 24th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft to select Adam Novotny, a fast, physical winger who brings a pretty clear identity: straight-line speed, heavy forecheck, and a willingness to go to the dirty areas. This wasn’t a flashy “highlight reel” pick as much as it was a “this guy is going to matter in games” type of selection.

Novotny was ranked higher on many public boards, so Vancouver is betting they got value here. But like every prospect in this range, there are real strengths and a couple of things you can’t ignore.

Here are two positives and two questions about him as a player.

Positive #1: Speed, motor, and forecheck pressure.

Novotny’s skating is legit NHL-level already in terms of burst and pace. He’s constantly moving, he closes space quickly, and he makes life miserable for defenders trying to break the puck out. Add in a strong, stocky frame, and he becomes a guy who doesn’t just chase pucks — he actually wins them. That combination alone gives him a very clear path to becoming a useful NHL winger.

Positive #2: Pro-style offensive habits and finishing ability.

He’s not just an energy player. Novotny has a heavy shot, good net-front timing, and the ability to turn turnovers into instant offence. When he steals pucks, he doesn’t waste time — he attacks right away. That “offence off pressure” trait is something NHL teams love because it translates without requiring a perfect setup or reliance on the power play. The upside here is a legit top-six complementary scorer.

Question #1: Playmaking consistency and decision-making.

The biggest knock is pretty simple: he’s still very shoot-first. That’s not a flaw, but it limits how dynamic his offence can become. At times, he holds onto plays too long or doesn’t consistently see the higher-percentage pass. If that doesn’t improve, he can get capped as a middle-six finisher rather than a driver.

Question #2: Ceiling vs. projection gap.

There’s a real debate about how high Novotny can actually go. The floor looks safe — energy winger, penalty kill, 20-goal potential — but whether he becomes a true top-six driver is less certain. Some of that comes down to how structured his OHL usage was, but part of it is just whether his game evolves beyond straight-line offence.

Grade: B+ selection.

This is a strong value pick at 24. Novotny checks a lot of NHL boxes: speed, compete, size, and goal-scoring touch. The upside isn’t explosive, but the probability of becoming an NHL player is high. If one more layer of playmaking develops, this could quietly turn into a very solid top-six winger.