Canucks Stack Picks, Senators Gamble on Skill in 2026 Draft Shakeup
The 2026 NHL Entry Draft delivered seismic moves for the Vancouver Canucks and Ottawa Senators, with both franchises reshaping their futures amid the playoff season. While the Canucks stockpiled nine selections—headlined by third-overall pick Caleb Malhotra—the Senators doubled down on offensive upside, plucking two right-shooting scorers late in the first round.
Canucks Build Depth, Geography, and Potential
Vancouver’s draft class underlined a commitment to both immediate impact and long-term projectability. The team landed Caleb Malhotra at No. 3 overall, a two-way center from the USHL known for his hockey IQ and defensive reliability.
The Canucks also acquired a 2027 fifth-rounder from Toronto by trading down, a move that bolstered their later-round capital without sacrificing top-40 picks.
Senators Bet on Skill, Scouting Upside
Ottawa took a different tack, using their first-round picks to target high-risk, high-reward scorers. At No. 25, the Senators selected Jonas Lagerberg Hoen, a Swedish right winger from Leksands IF who recovered from a mid-season knee injury. Scouting reports compared his flashy footwork and snipey shot to Filip Forsberg, a fellow Leksands product.
With their second first-rounder, Ottawa made history by drafting Jaxon Cover from the Cayman Islands—the first player from his nation to reach the NHL draft. Cover, a 19-year-old with 20 goals and 52 points in 54 games for London (OHL), rose rapidly after a trade-deadline move to the Knights. “His hands and hockey sense are elite,” said area scout Beau Moyer. “He just needs to add strength.”
Playoff Context and Future Outlook
With the postseason in full swing, these drafts underscore both teams’ urgency to replenish talent for a post-playoff rebuild. The Canucks, nursing a young core, added positional depth and international flair. The Senators prioritized offensive spark plugs.
As the draft’s buzz fades, attention shifts to how these prospects will integrate into systems already contending—or preparing to contend. For now, Vancouver and Ottawa have set their blueprints: one methodically stacking picks, the other gambling on skill.
Stay tuned for updates as training camp approaches.