The Vancouver Canucks own the No. 24 overall selection in the 2026 NHL entry draft, set for Friday at KeyBank Center in Buffalo. Pundits have proposed a range of candidates for the pick, including WHL scoring leader Liam Ruck, Swedish winger Elton Hermansson, and QMJHL defenceman Tommy Bleyl.
Canucks' Draft Position and Context
Vancouver acquired the No. 24 pick from the Minnesota Wild in the Quinn Hughes trade in December. Their own first-rounder is No. 3 overall. The Canucks also hold their own second-round pick at No. 33 and No. 41 from the San Jose Sharks in the Kiefer Sherwood swap in January. The draft begins Friday with the first round; rounds 2-7 take place Saturday.
General manager Patrik Allvin may trade the pick, especially after the Ottawa Senators dealt Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers on Sunday for two first-rounders, a second-rounder, and a conditional first in 2029. However, if Vancouver keeps the selection, several intriguing prospects are in the mix.
Elton Hermansson: Swedish Sniper
TSN slotted Hermansson at No. 24 in its final rankings posted Monday. The 6-foot-1, 183-pound right-handed shot from Örnsköldsvik—hometown of Canucks co-presidents Henrik and Daniel Sedin and former star Markus Naslund—played for MoDo in Sweden's second pro tier. He recorded 11 goals and 21 points in 38 games, tied for the fourth-highest total ever for an Under-18 player in that league. Only William Nylander (27 points, 2013-14), David Pastrnak (24 points, 2013-14), and Anton Frondell (25 points, 2024-25) had more.
Hermansson also earned top forward honours at the Under-18 world championship in Slovakia this spring, tying for the tournament lead with 12 points (four goals, seven assists) in seven games and helping Sweden win gold. NHL director of European scouting Jukka-Pekka Vuorinen praised his skill: “He might be one of the top prospects in stickhandling and deking in the whole draft class because he has the ability to carry the puck through traffic and create space for teammates, making him a constant threat. And on the power play we all saw how his one-timer and quick release were working.”
Liam Ruck: WHL Scoring Leader
Cam Robinson and Elite Prospects both rank Ruck at No. 24. The 6-foot, 176-pound right winger led the WHL in scoring with 104 points (45 goals, 59 assists) for the Medicine Hat Tigers. His twin brother Markus (21-87-108) finished second. The pair, from Osoyoos, B.C., grew up Canucks fans and drew comparisons to the Sedins for their cerebral play and passing chemistry.
However, pundits are less high on Markus; The Athletic ranked him No. 54 in its mock draft. The Rucks are set to return to Medicine Hat next season but have committed to the University of North Dakota for 2027-28.
Tommy Bleyl: QMJHL Defenceman
The Athletic has the Canucks selecting Bleyl at No. 24 in its mock draft. The 6-foot, 170-pound right-shot defenceman led all QMJHL blueliners in regular-season scoring with 81 points (13 goals, 68 assists) for the Moncton Wildcats. He added 28 points (6 goals, 22 assists) in 21 playoff games. Bleyl, a Schenectady, N.Y., native, plans to return to Moncton next season before heading to Michigan State for 2027-28.
Mathis Preston: Local Giant
Daily Faceoff pegs Preston with Vancouver's second first-rounder. The 5-foot-11, 176-pound right winger from Penticton, B.C., had a disrupted draft year: traded from Spokane to the Vancouver Giants at the January deadline, he injured his knee in his second game and missed six weeks, playing only 10 games with the Giants. He finished with 44 points (18 goals, 26 assists) in 46 games across both teams. Elite Prospects calls him one of the fastest skaters in the draft. The Canucks have never drafted a player directly from the Giants in their 25-year history.
Other Names and Comparisons
The Canucks may also consider Will Horcoff, a Pittsburgh Penguins prospect drafted No. 24 last year. The 6-foot-5, 201-pound winger led the University of Michigan in goals (25 in 40 games) and played for the U.S. at the world juniors. His development will serve as a benchmark for whoever Vancouver selects at the same slot.
