Vancouver Canucks Make Bold Behind-the-Scenes Play for Top Talent in 2025 NHL Draft

We're less than three weeks away from the National Hockey League's Entry Draft, which will be decentralized this year and held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California, with only some of the eligible prospects in attendance.

Last week in Buffalo, all 32 teams sent representatives for the NHL Draft Combine and while none of Vancouver's top brass were there, the team still sent quite a few staff members including Assistant General Manager Cammi Granato.

Many were surprised with the Vancouver Canucks not sending Patrik Allvin and/or Jim Rutherford to the combine, especially since this year it had added importance with it being the last opportunity for General Managers to meet face-to-face and potentially discuss trades they'd like to make in a few weeks time.

Cam Robinson of Elite Prospects was one of those who was surprised when he learned that neither Allvin or Rutherford were in Buffalo last week.

With the team looking for some help right now, ideally at the second line center position, there's been talk that they'd be willing to trade the 15th overall pick in this year's draft and even though that could be the case, it didn't stop the team from meeting with prospects last week, one of which they took out for dinner to get to know a bit better.

According to Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers, the Vancouver Canucks had an extended meeting with Seattle Thunderbirds centerman Braeden Cootes, who is ranked 20th among North American Skates by NHL Central Scouting, and took him out for dinner last week.

Cootes, a native of Sherwood Park, Alberta, saw a big jump in production this season with the Seattle Thunderbirds, finishing the 2024-25 campaign with 63 points (26 goals, 37 assists), 18 penalty minutes and was a plus-five in 60 games, before adding eight points in six postseason contests.

The 18-year-old was given a massive opportunity once Seattle's season ended as he was named captain of Canada for the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship, leading them to a gold medal and leaving a great impression with NHL scouts.

While Cootes might be ranked 20th among NA Skaters by NHL Central Scouting, don't be surprised if his name is called much earlier than that on June 27th and if the Vancouver Canucks decide to hold onto the 15th overall pick, this is a player that Patrik Allvin should absolutely consider selecting.