LATEST | Canucks call a last-minute meeting with one of the top 2023 defensive prospects before the draft
The Vancouver Canucks have been linked to several names ahead of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft and with holding the 11th overall pick, they're guaranteed to select a very talented player as the first round is deeper than most years.
One name that they've been linked to in recent days is Russian defenceman Dmitri Simashev, who climbed the draft rankings over the second half of the season.
According to Rick Dhaliwal, the Canucks are among the teams that will be meeting with Simashev ahead of the draft next week in Nashville.
Agent Dan Milstein says 24 teams including the #Canucks have asked for a meeting with Simashev in Nashville next week at the NHL draft.
Simashev is 1 of the top prospects for defenseman in the draft." Dhaliwal said in a tweet.
Simashev, 18, is a big body at 6'4", 201 pounds and is currently under contract with KHL club Lokomotiv Yaroslavl until after the 2024-25 season. In their final draft rankings, NHL Central Scouting had Simashev at 19th among European Skaters.
He spent the 2022-23 season in the MHL with Loko Yaroslavl, with ten points in 29 games, while also adding six points in ten playoff games. Simashev also appeared in 18 KHL games with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, but had no points.
| POLL | ||
Should the Canucks select Dmitri Simashev at 11th overall? | ||
| Yes | 213 | 40.4 % |
| No | 206 | 39.1 % |
| Unsure | 108 | 20.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
