Every team has draft skeletons rattling in the closet. It’s not an exact science and gut feelings pan out or crash out. Getting 200 NHL games from any pick is the goal.
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The Vancouver Canucks are holding a draft party Friday at Rogers Arena.
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Ten years ago, there was a similar gathering of the franchise faithful at the downtown facility and it was memorable for the wrong reason.
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The anticipation in the lower bowl grew to such a degree that this reporter left the media room to experience the expected adulation of the Canucks selecting Matthew Tkachuk fifth overall. I had the social media post ready and had started writing the story.
Then the script flipped.
When Olli Juolevi was announced, people sat in stunned silence, it was quite the sight. And, of course, the rationale to pick a defenceman who had nine assists in seven games as Finland captured gold at the 2016 world junior championship, was countered by passing on the need for a budding power forward.
Juolevi had just three points in 23 games with the Canucks, was traded and faded from memory. Tkachuk has hit the 40-goal plateau twice, has 670 points (253-417) in 673 regular-season games, 84 points (32-52) in 94 playoff outings and two Stanley Cup rings.
Maybe general manager Jim Benning thought he had that guy — or at least hoped he did — in selecting Jake Virtanen sixth overall in 2014. He was wrong.
Canucks Report
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It’s not all bad.
The Canucks have made sensational first-round selections in Cam Neely, Trevor Linden, Mattias Ohlund, Daniel and Henrik Sedin, Ryan Kesler, Bo Horvat, Brock Boeser, Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes.
Every NHL team has draft skeletons rattling in the closet. It’s not an exact science and gut feelings on a player can pan out or crash out. The goal is to get 200 NHL games out of a draft pick, that’s the standard that scouting departments abide by.
And, truth be told, it’s been a rough go for the Canucks to match their peers at the draft table. These statistics are sobering:
2006-2015 drafting and development efficiency
Vancouver Canucks: 10 yrs – 62 draft picks – 11 NHL players = 17.74% success.
NHL historical average: 10 yrs – 70 draft picks – 19 NHL players = 28.19% success.
Los Angeles Kings: 10 yrs – 78 draft picks – 29 NHL players = 37.17% success.
2016-2020 drafting and development efficiency
Canucks: Five yrs – 34 draft picks – 4 NHL players = 11.76% success.
NHL historical average: Five yrs – 35 draft picks – nine NHL players = 28.19% success.
Los Angeles Kings: Five yrs – 36 draft picks – 10 NHL players = 27.77% success.
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Here’s a historical look at the best and worst picks since 2000:
Best of the best
1. Quinn Hughes (seventh overall, 2018)
Generational talent. Changed the game, but wouldn’t commit here long-term and it left a sour taste and gaping hole. Became Norris Trophy winner in 2023-24 campaign, with career-highs for goals (17), assists (75) and points (92) to set single-season standard for franchise blueliners. Played hurt. Played sick. Played crazy minutes. As captain, tempered tough assessments with balance.
2. Elias Pettersson (fifth overall, 2017)
The past obviously better than the present for Calder Trophy winner, who’s subject of continuing trade rumours. He joined elite franchise company with those who authored 100-point campaigns — Pavel Bure (110, 107); Henrik (112) and Daniel Sedin (104); Markus Naslund (110); and Alex Mogilny (107) — and first member of rich 2017 draft class to hit 300-point mark in 306 games. Impressive.
3. Ryan Kesler (23rd overall, 2003)
Brooding moody menace. Dominant two-way centre played hard and hurt. A 41-goal season in 2010-11 — including factoring in 11 of 14 goals in a second-round demolition of Nashville — contributed to Selke Trophy with 98.3 per cent of the vote total. He would log five 20-plus-goal seasons before being dealt to Anaheim.
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4. Cory Schneider (26th overall, 2004)
Long-range plan to work with Roberto Luongo went through Jason LaBarbera, Curtis Sanford and Andrew Raycroft. Won Jennings Trophy in 2011 for fewest goals allowed. Schneider was dealt to ease cap crunch for 2013 pick that became Horvat. In 98 games here set club marks for GAA (2.2) and save percentage (.927).
Worst of the worst
1. Patrick White (25th overall, 2007)
Wasn’t in draft guide. Just 18 high-school goals and eight in USHL and 27 goals in four NCAA seasons at Minnesota. Never played NHL game and shipped to San Jose in 2009, with Daniel Rahimi, for Christian Ehrhoff and Brad Lukowich. David Perron was 26th pick.
2. Olli Juolevi (fifth overall, 2016)
Whether back and knee procedures, or overwhelmed being picked one spot ahead of Tkachuk, never looked comfortable. His 23 NHL games amounted to just two goals, three points. Often looked lost. Dealt to Florida for Juho Lammikko and Noah Juulsen.
3. Nathan Smith (23rd overall, 2000)
After 28-goal and 90-point season with Swift Current (WHL), the centre struggled. Often injured and played four games for the Canucks. Knee injury in third season almost ended career. Career with three NHL teams amounted to 26 games and no points.
4. Jordan Schroeder (22nd overall, 2009)
Small third-liner had shoulder injury and ankle fracture before 2013-14 season. Wasn’t moving ahead of Henrik Sedin or Kesler. Just six goals in 56 games in two seasons. Played in Minnesota, Columbus and Europe last six seasons. Kyle Palmieri was 26th pick.
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