7 high-risk, high-reward prospects Canucks could target in the draft

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The Vancouver Canucks are finally positioned to take a high-risk, high-reward swing at the NHL Draft. And, if there’s been one criticism of the Canucks drafting under Todd Harvey, it’s been that they’ve played it a little too safe at times. Is this the draft where the Canucks will take some risks? With four picks in the first 41 selections, the Canucks are better positioned than ever to take some swings in the early portion of the draft. Players like Logan Stankoven, Lane Hutson, and Jackson LaCombe have been massive wins for their teams in the second round of the draft in recent memory. There are also guys like Alexander Zharovsky (34th overall to Montreal Canadiens in 2025) who look like second-round steals. Here are seven high-risk, high-reward prospects who could be available to the Canucks at 24th or later in the draft. XAVIER VILLENEUVE, LD - 2025-26 QMJHL stats: 37 GP, 6 G, 32 A, 38 PTS At times, Xavier Villeneuve has flashed Quinn Hughes or Lane Hutson-like potential. However, concerns about his size (5-foot-11, 165 pounds) and defending have scouts ranking him all over the map. Some public scouts have him ranked as high as fifth overall, while others have him down at 65th. The consensus is that he’ll be drafted somewhere around the Canucks 24th overall selection. Although Villeneuve’s season was impacted by injury, he’s been on the radar as one of the next great offensive dynamos from the blue line for some time. Last season, he posted over a point per game in the QMJHL, thanks to tremendous skating and tantalizing offensive vision. > Projected 1st round pick LHD Xaiver Villeneuve is an offensive dynamo in the QMJHL > > He showcases exceptional skill, hands, vision and high hockey IQ > > Villeneuve has 6G 32A 38P in 37GP in the Q > > His cons are his size: 5'11" 165lbs but his talent and offensive upside make up for it pic.twitter.com/t2ljqig0X6 > > — The Prospect Don (@TheProspectDon) April 8, 2026 NIKITA KLEPOV, RW - 2025-26 OHL stats: 67 GP, 37 G, 60 A, 97 PTS Nikita Klepov is a fascinating offensive talent. He led the entire OHL in scoring as a draft-eligible player, something only Michael Misa and Marco Rossi have done over the last decade. However, Klepov’s average size (6-foot, 180 pounds) and skating have been called into question by some scouts, while others also mentioned that a good chunk of his production came on the power play. Still, this is a winger that potentially has top-line talent, and he’s currently ranked as the 21st-best draft-eligible player on Elite Prospects’ Consolidated Rankings. MATHIS PRESTON, RW - 2025-26 WHL stats: 46 GP, 18 G, 26 A, 44 PTS Penticton, B.C. native Mathis Preston might be one of the most talented players in the draft. Vancouver Giants fans got a taste of it this season, where he had 12 points in 10 games before an injury ended his season. There are questions about his play off the puck, and Preston can also play on the perimeter a bit too much. However, he’s a dangerous player off the rush, and the 5-foot-11 winger is also one of the draft’s best skaters. > Caleb Malhotra on Mathis Preston "Yeah I got to be on the line with Mathis Preston there (CHL Prospect Challenge) for most of the games and he's honestly a great player in his own right. He's really fast, so trying to give him the puck in space and let him work was kind of what I... pic.twitter.com/DKRhwH5IFL > > — The Prospect Don (@TheProspectDon) March 11, 2026 It’s worth noting that Preston also thought his meeting at the NHL Combine with the Canucks went well. “They were really good with me,” Preston said on Donnie and Dhali. “They seemed pretty interested, which was good. I think they like my game.” MARCUS NORDMARK, LW - 2025-26 Sweden U20 stats: 25 GP, 14 G, 24 A, 38 PTS Inconsistency has been a big knock on Marcus Nordmark’s game during his draft-eligible season. But based on talent alone, there’s a lot to like about his game. Nordmark caught scouts’ attention during the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where he led the entire tournament with 12 points. However, his inconsistency has scouts split, as he’s ranked anywhere from 15th to 63rd overall on draft boards. RYAN ROOBROECK, C - 2025-26 OHL stats: 49 GP, 30 G, 28 A, 58 PTS Standing at 6-foot-4, centre Ryan Roobroeck was once touted as a potential top-five pick in this draft. However, as someone like Caleb Malhotra rocketed up draft boards, Roobroeck saw his stock slide. He still posted a solid 58 points in 49 games, but scouts see him as an average skater and someone who’s not very physical, even though he’s already got tantalizing size alongside decent production. > Is Ryan Roobroeck still a 1st Round Pick? > > I think he is JUST outside of it, ranking him 34th. I still see the talent and upside, its all there, i just worry about if he can translate that to the NHL. He has an excellent shot, and is a dual threat that can also find teammates... pic.twitter.com/QHlqAUZqwD > > — IceMetrix (@IceMetrix) June 19, 2026 EGOR SHILOV, C - 2025-26 QMJHL stats: 63 GP, 32 G, 50 A, 82 PTS Like many prospects on this list, Egor Shilov has above-average offensive vision, finishing with the seventh-most points in the QMJHL last season, and first among draft-eligible players. The shot and the passing are evident. Shilov was also used on the penalty kill with the Victoriaville Tigres. However, scouts have primarily questioned his pace and competitiveness. According to Elite Prospects’ Consolidated Rankings, the 6-foot, 180-pound centre is the 24th-best player available. ADAM VALENTINI, C - 2025-26 NCAA stats: 40 GP, 11 G, 16 A, 27 PTS One of the biggest mistakes scouts can make on draft-eligible players is discounting them because of their size. > Adam Valentini should be a 1st Round LOCK > > I have been super high on Valentini for a long time now, he plays a game that can easily translate to the NHL. He is a very high motor, 200 foot player, he has a relentless work ethic and forcheck, and has an underated offensive... pic.twitter.com/AkABvTWcow > > — IceMetrix (@IceMetrix) June 17, 2026 Adam Valentini played both wing and centre for the University of Michigan last season, authoring a decent freshman season. He also stands 5-foot-9, 185 pounds. The Toronto native sits at 37th overall on Elite Prospects’ Consolidated Rankings, but many see him as a late second-round pick. 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