Vancouver Canucks quietly hold meeting top prospect they plan on drafting in 2026
Photo credit: Nick Wosika-Imagn Images
The Vancouver Canucks have reportedly met with one of the top prospects available for the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, which will be held in Buffalo, New York in late June.
After declaring their intentions to rebuild, the Vancouver Canucks have been very active on the trade front as they look to acquire younger players and draft picks that'll help them in the years to come when the organization is ready to compete for a Stanley Cup.
"We are transitioning into a rebuild here, acquiring younger players through the draft. Obviously, the draft is really important for us. Since Jim and I got [here] three years ago, we've definitely always emphasized on getting younger." General Manager Patrik Allvin said.
If the season ended today, the Vancouver Canucks would have the highest odds to select first overall for the first time in franchise history and if that's the case, Patrik Allvin is going to have a franchise altering decision to make, however, if the club happens to drop, potentially to third or fourth overall, there could be an intriguing option available to them.
Vancouver Canucks reportedly meet with top prospect for 2026 NHL Entry Draft
While making an appearance on Halford and Brough last week, National Hockey League insider Rick Dhaliwal revealed that the Canucks met with defenseman Keaton Verhoeff, who is one of the top prospects available in June's draft.
"Rick Dhaliwal said the Canucks met with Keaton Verhoeff this week." @johnpuck1992 said.
The 6'3" blueliner was ranked second among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting earlier this month after a strong showing at the 2026 IIHF World Juniors, where he took on a big role as a 17-year-old, something that's relatively uncommon for Team Canada.
After two seasons in the Western Hockey League with the Victoria Royals, Verhoeff took his talents south of the border and committed to the University of North Dakota, where he's put up 17 points (six goals, 11 assists), 23 penalty minutes and is a plus-eight in 22 games.
Former NHL scout Jason Bukala shared in a scouting report a couple months ago that he believes that Keaton Verhoeff could compete to be selected first overall and has everything teams want - offensive skill, size, physicality, strong skating, etc.
"Verhoeff has been gifted with great size and he continues to add strength to his frame. I value his hockey sense overall and appreciate the fact he recognizes when to pinch down to extend plays in the offensive zone and use size and reach to kill plays defensively." Bukala said.
While it's probably unlikely that Verhoeff goes first or even second overall, with Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg likely to be selected in those spots, if the Vancouver Canucks find their way down at third overall, the Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta native is someone that the front office needs to seriously consider.
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Previously on Vancouver Hockey Daily