The In's and Out's of Tonight's NHL Draft

Here we go again, the Canucks are picking 5th overall. I have been dreading this day since the NHL lottery was reveled and the Canucks ping pong balls didn't go the way fans were hoping. However, with Tanev on the trading block, things will should get might interesting in a matter of hours.


Last year, the Canucks picked London Knights defenseman Olli Juolevi. While I predict he will bloom into a successful NHL Defenseman, it was a bittersweet pick as he hasn't played in a NHL game yet and the player I wanted went the next pick after to a divisional rival.


This year, Jim Benning needs to address the Canucks abysmal scoring problems. My fear is that Benning will pick a Defenseman again if the player he wants is already off the board,


There is plenty of hype to this years draft as the Top six picks seem super wide open because of Nolan Patrick's injury concerns.


Realistically, the Canucks will have their eyes set on Forwards Casey Mittelstadt, Gabriel Vilardi  or Cody Glass. Which, baring a unforeseen turn of events at least one will be on the board when the Canucks pick at #5.


There's also a chance the Canucks trade up accruing a Top 3 pick and getting the player they want. The Dallas Stars have their eye on a Defenseman and Chris Tanev might fit the bill but Benning's asking price does seem quite high.


My gut feeling says that if Top D-man in the draft Miro Heiskanen  is still on the board at #5 that's who Benning will take. That would seem to indicate they would trade Tanev for the offense that they desperately need.


If they don't trade Tanev and draft a defenseman that is the worst case situation for the Canucks. If Dallas takes Miro Heiskanen at #3 than that scenario won't be possible anymore.


Here's how I believe the Top 5 unfold:

Round one[edit]

#	Player	Nationality	NHL Team	College/Junior/Club Team
1	Nico Hischier		New Jersey Devils
2	Nolan Patrick		Philadelphia Flyers
3	Miro Heiskanen		Dallas Stars
4	Gabriel Vilardi		Colorado Avalanche
5	Cody Glass		Vancouver Canucks

I would be happy if this is the way the Top five unfolded. If Dallas goes with a Defenseman at #3 that will mean we will still Tanev to deal for another asset.


Looking forward to tonight, how everything unravels tonight will surely determine Vancouver's success in the next 2-3 years. This night could a huge tipping point in the Canucks organization. If Benning strikes out tonight it could spell disaster.