LATEST | Craig Button identifies the prospect the Canucks must draft with their first rounder

The analyst is well-known for his prospect rankings and he's identified a Swede defender that's been drawing Rasmus Dhalin comparisons since the beginning of the year. Per his reports, the Canucks should be setting their eyes on the right-handed defenceman, Axel Sandin Pellikka.

Standing at 5'11'' and 181 pounds, he is the very definition of a modern two-way defenseman. If he were Dahlin's size (6'03'', 202 pounds), he'd definitely be higher on this list. Sandin Pellikka played at the SHL level this year and managed 5 points in 22 games with limited opportunities, at the junior level he was outstanding collecting 36 points in 31 games.

The Swede is a smooth skater and the scouts have noticed:

The great news about Sandin Pellikka is that his biggest weakness is his strength. With proper support and a training plan, he could definitely bulk up and fix this issue which could potentially make him a top-end defenceman at the game's highest level.

Here's Button first 16 picks mock draft:

1. Chicago Blackhawks – Connor Bedard
2. Anaheim Ducks – Adam Fantilli
3. Columbus Blue Jackets – Leo Carlsson
4. San Jose Sharks – Will Smith
5. Montreal Canadiens – Dalibor Dvorsky
6. Arizona Coyotes – Matvei Michkov
7. Philadelphia Flyers – Ryan Leonard
8. Washington Capitals – David Reinbacher
9. Detroit Red Wings – Colby Barlow
10. St. Louis Blues – Matthew Wood
11. Vancouver Canucks – Axel Sandin-Pellikka
12. Arizona Coyotes (via OTT) – Zach Benson
13. Buffalo Sabres – Oliver Moore
14. Pittsburgh Penguins – Brayden Yager
15. Nashville Predators – Gabe Perreault
16. Calgary Flames – Nate Danielson