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11 players the Vancouver Canucks could draft with the 15th overall pick

Noah Strang
Noah Strang
|
May 6 2025, 8:30 pm
11 players the Vancouver Canucks could draft with the 15th overall pick
@VictoriaRoyals/Instagram

The draft lottery balls have been pulled and the Vancouver Canucks have the 15th overall selection this summer.

It’s no guarantee the Canucks actually use this pick as they’ve admitted it could be dangled as a trade chip. However, if they do hold on to it, there are plenty of interesting players who would make intriguing additions to their prospect pool.

The Canucks have only made two picks in the top two rounds across the past three seasons. They could really use another impact prospect and have the chance to get one with this selection.

Here are 11 players who the Canucks could pick 15th overall.

1. Carter Bear, LW/C

  • Size: 6 feet, 176 pounds
  • Nationality: Canadian
  • 2024-25 stats: 56 GP, 40 G, 42 A, 82 PTS (WHL)
  • NHL prospect ranking: 10th among North American skaters

Carter Bear’s stats jump off the page. He dominated the WHL this season and is creeping up draft boards. There’s a solid chance he’s gone before the Canucks can make their pick but if not, he’ll definitely be among the top prospects available.

Bear not only has the immense offensive skill to dominate his peers, but he’s also a physical player who can make plays in his own end. Before this season, he was recognized more for his two-way play and great checking ability, which are still standout attributes.

Bear’s season ended with a lacerated Achilles. The injury is not expected to affect his draft ranking much but it could help him slide a few spots into the Canucks hands.

2. Brady Martin, C

  • Size: 6 feet, 174 pounds
  • Nationality: Canadian
  • 2024-25 stats: 57 GP, 33 G, 39 A, 72 PTS (OHL)
  • NHL prospect ranking: 11th among North American skaters

Brady Martin is a right-handed centre with the size and skating to make an impact at the NHL level. He scored nearly 50 more points this year compared to last and has really improved offensively.

Martin has always been recognized as one of the biggest physical forces in this draft class. He’s not afraid to use his body to separate players from the puck and can lay a devastating body check.

3. Lynden Lakovic, LW

  • Size: 6-foot-4, 190 pounds
  • Nationality: Canadian
  • 2024-25 stats: 47 GP, 27 G, 31 A, 58 PTS (WHL)
  • NHL prospect ranking: 14th among North American skaters

Lynden Lakovic was born in Kelowna and played some minor hockey in West Vancouver. He has the size that NHL teams adore, but also plenty of skill and is not afraid to make creative plays with the puck.

Lakovic helped his Moose Jaw Warriors win the WHL Championship in the 2023-24 season and came up with several clutch goals.

Scouts want to see Lakovic use his big frame more effectively and be more physical. He has tons of potential, and hockey history is filled with tons of players who grew into their bigger frame.

4. Jack Nesbitt, C

  • Size: 6-foot-4, 183 pounds
  • Nationality: Canadian
  • 2024-25 stats: 65 GP, 25 G, 39 A, 64 PTS (OHL)
  • NHL prospect ranking: 15th among North American skaters

Any 6-foot-4 centre will surely be on the Canucks radar. Nesbitt has the size and hockey intelligence to make an impact on any game. He jumped from nine goals and 18 points in the 2023-24 season to 25 goals and 64 points this year.

There are concerns about his skating ability, which limits Nesbitt’s upside. But if the Canucks want to get bigger and tougher up front while also getting stronger down the middle, Nesbitt makes a lot of sense.

5. Justin Carbonneau, RW

  • Size: 6-foot-1, 192 pounds
  • Nationality: Canadian
  • 2024-25 stats: 62 GP, 46 G, 43 A, 89 PTS (QMJHL)
  • NHL prospect ranking: 16th among North American skaters

Justin Carbonneau scored a lot of goals in the QMJHL this year and projects to be a goal scorer at the next level. He’s an all-around offensive threat with the ability to skate, shoot, or take the puck inside at all times.

There are some concerns over his consistency and ability to impact the game when not scoring. However, the winger projects as a top-six winger who can

6. Sascha Boumedienne, LHD

  • Size: 6-foot-2, 183 pounds
  • Nationality: Swedish
  • 2024-25 stats: 40 GP, 3 G, 10 A, 13 PTS (NCAA)
  • NHL prospect ranking: 18th among North American skaters

The Canucks should be familiar with Sascha Boumedienne as the 18-year-old is a teammate of the club’s top prospect Tom Willander at Boston University.

Boumedienne put up 14 points in just seven games for Sweden at the recent U18 World Championship, impressing a lot of scouts. That’s more points than he had in 40 games with Boston University and set the all-time record for points by a defenceman at the tournament.

Boumedienne is a good passer who can help lead a breakout. While there are concerns over his skating and inconsistent production at the NCAA level, his recent offensive explosion could help him get picked higher in the draft.

7. Roger McQueen, C

  • Size: 6-foot-5, 192 pounds
  • Nationality: Canadian
  • 2024-25 stats: 17 GP, 10 G, 10 A, 20 PTS (WHL)
  • NHL prospect ranking: 8th among North American skaters

Roger McQueen is one of the most divisive draft prospects. He played just 17 games this past season as he dealt with multiple injuries. That lost time can be devastating for prospects, but his package, when healthy, is too much for teams to overlook.

McQueen has the ideal size and a very good shot. While his skating isn’t elite, he’s managed to still dominate thanks to his physical traits and goal-scoring touch.

If he were fully healthy, McQueen would be much higher on most draft boards. Alas, he’s struggled with injuries and therefore could slip on draft day. If he makes it to 15, it’s a risk worth considering for the Canucks.

8. Jackson Smith, LHD

  • Size: 6-foot-3, 190 pounds
  • Nationality: Canadian
  • 2024-25 stats: 68 GP, 11 G, 43 A, 54 PTS (WHL)
  • NHL prospect ranking: 13th among North American skaters

The Canucks have quite a few defence prospects and thus will likely opt for a forward with this pick. However, if Jackson Smith falls to 15th, he may be too good to pass up. Smith has prototypical NHL size already at 6-foot-3, and the strong skating ability needed to be effective at the highest level.

Smith can move the puck up ice. While he’s not Quinn Hughes-level creative, he was near a point per game in the WHL this year and can make a smooth breakout pass. All of that adds up to an intriguing player, and you can never have too many young blueliners in your organization.

9. Cullen Potter, C

  • Size: 5-foot-10, 172 pounds
  • Nationality: American
  • 2024-25 stats: 35 GP, 13 G, 9 A, 22 PTS (NCAA)
  • NHL prospect ranking: 22nd among North American skaters

Few players can skate as well as Cullen Potter in this year’s draft class. He’s quick to accelerate, flies when he reaches top speed, and can use his edges well. Skating is always a coveted trait, and Potter excels in that category.

There are some concerns with his game. Potter’s NCAA numbers don’t jump off the page, but he was one of the youngest players in college hockey this year. Another concern is his size, as he’s listed at just 5-foot-10.

Whichever NHL team picks Potter will hope that his electric skating ability will outweigh those concerns and help him develop into a true top-six forward.

10. Cole Reschny, C

  • Size: 5-foot-10, 187 pounds
  • Nationality: Canadian
  • 2024-25 stats: 62 GP, 26 G, 66 A, 92 PTS (WHL)
  • NHL prospect ranking: 25th among North American skaters

Cole Reschny is one of the late risers on draft boards. He scored nine goals and 25 points in just 11 WHL playoff games before adding another five goals and eight points in five games at the U18 World Championship.

Reschny is a very smart player who can impact all aspects of a game. His recent scoring burst has made him incredibly intriguing, as he was already considered a strong two-way player.

11. Milton Gastrin, C

  • Size: 6-foot-1, 185 pounds
  • Nationality: Swedish
  • 2024-25 stats: 40 GP, 18 G, 24 A, 42 PTS (J20 Nationell)
  • NHL prospect ranking: 3rd among European skaters

It wouldn’t be a Canucks draft list without a few Swedish prospects on it. Milton Gastrin scored better than a point per game in the J20 Nationell this season and played eight SHL games, failing to record a point.

He’s consistently being ranked and mocked in the second-half of the first round by most outlets, meaning the Canucks would be reaching slightly to take him at 15th. However, if they like his two-way game and ability to play multiple positions across the forward group, he’s a potential option.

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