Most mock drafts predict Vancouver Canucks will make controversial choice at third overall
Stenberg vs. McKenna? More like Stenberg vs. Malhotra.
This year’s NHL Draft is shaping up to be one of the most important days in Vancouver Canucks history. Based on the barrage of mock drafts that have been published since the draft lottery, who the Canucks will select is becoming clearer.
But, if the consensus turns out to be correct, will the Canucks be making the right choice?
Dozens of mock drafts have been published since the draft lottery balls cursed the Canucks again back on May 5. Below are 10 prominent ones that are surprisingly all in agreement about who the Canucks will pick on draft night.
Of the 10 mock drafts below, there are three interesting outcomes for Canucks fans to monitor.
What Canucks do after McKenna and Stenberg
The consensus among draft experts had been that Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg are the top two players in this year’s draft class.
Among 10 prominent mock drafts, only two of them had both McKenna and Stenberg gone by the time the Canucks reach the podium.
Daily Faceoff’sĀ Steven Ellis and NHL.com’sĀ Mike Morreale both predicted that the Canucks would select Caleb Malhotra with the third overall pick if McKenna and Stenberg were previously gone.
One of the draft’s biggest risers, Malhotra has been heavily scouted by the Canucks throughout the season. He then cemented his lofty draft status by authoring a postseason in which he was one of the most dominant players in the CHL, even more so than his older teammates who were previously selected in the first round.
If McKenna and Stenberg are off the board, then Malhotra begins to make more sense for the Canucks.
However, that isn’t what most mock drafts are predicting.
Will Canucks actually pass on Stenberg?
Perhaps the most surprising consensus to arise from these mock drafts is that the majority of them have Vancouver passing on Stenberg.
For most of the season, Stenberg has been viewed in the same stratosphere as McKenna. Perhaps he isn’t as offensively dynamic, but he’s a defensible pick at first overall.
However, the one big change that’s happened was the San Jose Sharks jumping from eighth to second overall, thanks to the draft lottery.
Should the Canucks actually pass on Ivar Stenberg if he’s available? (Nick Wosika/Imagn Images)
San Jose is loaded with talented young forwards, including Macklin Celebrini. But, they have a pressing need to add to their defence.
That’s seemingly led mock drafters to predict that the Sharks will take a defenceman at second overall.
Five mock drafts (Sportsnet’s Sam Cosentino, TSN’s Craig Button, The Athletic’s Corey Pronman, The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler, and FloHockey’s Chris Peters) all predicted that the Sharks would take Chase Reid at second overall, with McKenna going first, as he did in all 10 mocks listed.
Two others predicted that the Sharks would take a defenceman not named Reid. Elite Prospects’ Cam Robinson predicted that San Jose would select Canadian defender Carson Carels, while NHL.com’s Adam Kimelman presumed they’d take Latvian blueliner Alberts Smits.
In all seven scenarios, the Canucks had the choice of selecting Stenberg over Malhotra, but they opted for the Canadian-born centre instead.
Although the Canucks could desperately use another top-tier centre in their prospect pipeline, it’s a fool’s errand to draft for need instead of selecting the best player available, especially that early in the draft.
Based on Elite Prospects’ consolidation of draft rankings, there isn’t a single outlet that has Malhotra ranked over Stenberg.
The one outlier
There was one brave soul who did predict that the Canucks would take Stenberg.
Rachel Kryshak, former Canucks employee and current ESPN analyst, did predict that Vancouver would take Stenberg if presented with the scenario.
Who knew that would be a bold take, considering he originally wasn’t supposed to be available at No. 3.
“There is a very real possibility the Canucks take Caleb Malhotra here, given the strong organizational need for a center,” Kryshak wrote. “But Stenberg getting to third would be a gift they should not refuse.”
Of course, mock drafts aren’t real for a reason. And Canucks fans should brace themselves for the unexpected.
“My gut feeling tells me we should be prepared for anything,” Johnson told the media on Tuesday. “I don’t think it will go as scripted.”
“I think it’s one of those years where it may fall out of the typical order. That’s just a hunch.”