Vancouver Canucks lose the 2026 NHL draft lottery
The inevitable happened to the Vancouver Canucks on lottery night.
During the 2026 NHL draft lottery, there were two draws that the Canucks could have won, either for first or second overall.
But Canucks fans knew what was likely to happen. Another bout of lottery disappointment.
During the first draw, the Toronto Maple Leafs, who had the fifth-best lottery odds, jumped up to No. 1 overall, making new senior executive advisor Mats Sundin smile.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have officially secured the No. 1 overall selection in the 2026 NHL draft š pic.twitter.com/t21mGgm44k
— ESPN (@espn) May 5, 2026
For Canucks fans, seeing Toronto win was probably one of the most painful outcomes. Not only have they already won a draft lottery (which led to them selecting Auston Matthews first overall in 2016), but they made the playoffs for nine straight seasons before missing out this year.
Over that same stretch, the Canucks made the playoffs just twice in 10 seasons.
After losing the first draw, the Canucks still had a chance to win the lottery for second overall. But of course, they got leapfrogged once again.
The San Jose Sharks, who had the eighth-best odds, surpassed the Canucks to win the lottery for second place.
Clearly, the Sedin twins, who were tabbed as Vancouver’s representatives, weren’t able to bring lottery luck to the Canucks.
Sedins locked in pic.twitter.com/NWlODtsyNY
— Rob Williams (@RobTheHockeyGuy) May 5, 2026
San Jose now gets the chance to add to their already formidable core, led by North Vancouver native Macklin Celebrini. They were the last team to finish with the worst record in the NHL and still won the lottery, doing so in 2024. The New York Islanders jumped from No. 10 to No. 1 in 2025 before the Leafs lotto jump on Tuesday.
To make things more painful for the Canucks, the Maple Leafs had the best odds of winning the lottery for second overall during the live broadcast.
If they won, the Canucks would have had another crack at winning second overall, since Toronto’s win would have been voided and a re-draw would have taken place.
Regardless, it’s now the seventh time in franchise history that the Canucks have lost a draft lottery. This one was arguably the most painful, with the Canucks losing out on snagging the first overall pick in franchise history.
If there’s any solace for Canucks fans, it’s that the last time they drafted third overall was way back in 1999. During that draft, the Canucks selected Henrik Sedin at third overall.
Unfortunately, nothing is ever easy in Vancouver.
CHEK’s Rick Dhaliwal said on Tuesday that he wouldn’t be surprised if the Canucks draft Caleb Malhotra at third overall. He’s previously reported on the team’s interest in the young centre. In fact, one of Patrik Allvin’s last trips before getting the boot was scouting Malhotra in person, along with other members of Canucks management.
That leaves the team in an interesting pickle, considering that Caleb’s dad, Manny, would be an immediate front-runner to become head coach of the Canucks if the new GM decides to let Adam Foote go.
The 2026 NHL draft takes place on Friday, June 26, at 4:00 p.m. PT.