Prospect Profiles
Vancouver’s prospect pipeline for the 2026 NHL Draft reads like a roster of unfinished business, each piece promising a different kind of contribution.
At the centre of the conversation is Caleb Malhotra, a two‑way centre whose blend of creativity, speed and one‑on‑one breakdown ability has earned him a projected top‑six spot.
Acquired in a trade, Zev Buium arrives with a reputation for intelligence, puck‑moving acumen and a booming power‑play shot that could anchor the Canucks’ second pairing.
Tom Willander’s skating stands out as a differentiator; his ability to close on checks and cover ice quickly projects him as a steady second‑pair defenseman who can keep the play moving.
Brooks Rogowski brings size and physical tools to the centre position, but questions linger about his scoring touch, leaving him slated for a middle‑six role where play‑driving is expected.
Adam Novotný offers a high‑end wrist shot that can light up the scoresheet, yet his hockey sense remains below average, making him a reliable but inconsistent top‑six winger.
Braeden Cootes may be undersized, but his work ethic, playmaking instincts and finishing ability carve out a bottom‑six niche, providing depth and energy.
Elias Pettersson is a physical defenseman whose shutdown skills are elite, though his puck‑handling limitations keep him confined to a third‑pair role.
Liam Öhgren is a steady two‑way left‑wing whose high‑end shot is offset by a lack of offensive creativity, fitting comfortably into a bottom‑six checking role.
Vilmer Alriksson’s fourth‑line speed and scoring knack are tempered by low hockey sense and limited creativity, suggesting a developmental path focused on refinement.
Between the forwards and the blue line, goaltender Dmitri Ivchenko dazzles with high‑difficulty saves, but his net‑presence must improve before he can stake a claim as an NHL starter.
Defenseman Basile Sansonnens combines mobility with solid defensive fundamentals, yet his offensive ceiling remains uncertain, casting him as a long‑shot third‑pair prospect.
Niklas Aaram‑Olsen’s power‑play prowess and heavy shot are offset by an inconsistent all‑around game, leaving him projected as a high‑scoring left‑wing with work to do in net‑front play.
Jonathan Lekkerimäki’s offensive talent shines through his shot, but skating deficits and NHL‑level playmaking struggles keep him on the fringe of the roster.
Finally, Lucian Bernat’s neutral‑zone offensive flashes intrigue, but a lack of hockey sense and playmaking forces the organization to view him as a fourth‑line project needing polish.