Media Draft Predictions

When Canucks GM Jim Benning steps to the podium in Dallas Friday night, he'll proudly announce Vancouver has selected \\\\\\\\\\\\\\. At this point, it's still anyone's guess. We asked a few members of the Vancouver media to give us their thoughts on who will join the Canucks June 22nd.

Jason Botchford - Writer at The Province

Travis Green is going to love Noah Dobson. Any coach would drool over the possibility of acquiring a three-zone, right-shot defenceman who can play in all situations like Dobson. But Dobson also has two attributes Green loves. He's got great acceleration with his first three steps, and a high hockey IQ. Smart, quick, and big too. The Canucks will draft him at No. 7.

Jeff Paterson - Canucks reporter for TSN1040

With coveted blueliners Quinn Hughes and Noah Dobson both expected to be off the board by the time the Canucks get to the podium, look for Evan Bouchard to be the player they pick with the seventh overall selection. The big right-handed defenseman addresses many of the needs of the hockey club moving forward. He has size (6'2" and 192 pounds), a pro-ready shot and the ability to handle big minutes on the right side. His 25 goals and 87 points this season in the Ontario Hockey League certainly command attention. The Canucks need an offensive driver on the blueline and based on his 2017-18 statistics, Bouchard is a player that appears to fit the mold. Consider, too, that the Oakville, Ontario native plays his junior hockey for the London Knights - the same program that produced recent Canucks first rounders Bo Horvat (2013) and Olli Juolevi (2016). The Canucks are certainly familiar with and appear to trust the London organization. So don't be the least bit surprised if Vancouver heads back down that road again on Friday night and adds Evan Bouchard to its burgeoning stable of top-end prospects.

Iain MacIntyre - Sportsnet TV & radio

Jim Benning has built up inventory among his prospect pool at forward, but the cupboard for defence prospects remains spartan. This is a draft overflowing with blueliners, and one of the best will be available when the Canucks pick seventh. Could be dynamo Quinn Hughes or well-rounded Noah Dobson or rocket-launcher Evan Bouchard. Any of them would help the Canucks where help is most needed.

Brendan Batchelor - Play-by-Play Announcer for Canucks games on Sportsnet650

Assuming he's still available when the Canucks make their selection at seventh overall, Noah Dobson would be a great addition to Vancouver's prospect pool. The PEI product scored over a point per game with the QMJHL's Acadie-Bathurst Titan last season (69 points in 67 games) and helped his club to the MasterCard Memorial Cup. Dobson is a big, smooth skating, responsible blue liner who is good at transitioning the puck up the ice. Maybe most importantly, he shoots right, meaning he could potentially line up alongside left shooting Olli Juolevi to form the future of the Canucks' back end.

Ryan Biech - Freelance writer, Canucks.com contributor

Given the performance of some other players to close out the 2017-18 season, I think the Canucks will end up with Quinton Hughes from the University of Michigan. The organization has talked about speed and skill recently, as being the most important need and Hughes has that and more. He is arguably the best skater in this draft class while playing a puck possession game that allows him to drive offence for his team. There have been some concerns about his defensive game, but they are likely overstated as the young American defenceman fills a major need for the Canucks.