One of the most highly regarded prospects in recent memory, North Vancouver’s Connor Bedard sadly won’t be suiting up for his hometown Canucks in the 2023-24 season. Bedard hasn’t put a foot wrong all year, putting up a ridiculous 71 goals and 143 points in 57 games with the WHL’s Regina Pats, and 9 goals and 23 points representing Canada at the World Juniors. Sadly, after the Chicago Blackhawks won the draft lottery, the odds of him ending up with any other team are between slim and nonexistent. The Hawks will have a future franchise cornerstone to build around in Bedard, and Canucks fans will sadly be left wondering ‘what if’ for years to come. 

Cristall is considered to be one of the most skilled players, and will likely be an excellent playmaker at the NHL level. Averaging nearly 2 points per game this past season with the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets, the Vancouver native’s hands and passing can carry him far at the next level if he’s given the right situation in the NHL. However, despite the talent Cristall possesses, I don’t expect the Canucks to be calling his name on June 28th. It’s unclear if Cristall will still be on the board at 11th overall, and even if he is, there are some questions about how he would fit in in Vancouver. The Canucks currently have a surplus of wingers in their system, and are one of the smaller teams in the NHL, so drafting an undersized winger with what is currently the Canucks only top-60 pick doesn’t seem to make a whole lot of sense. There’s little doubt that Cristall has the talent to succeed in the NHL, but Vancouver may not be the best place for that future to play out.

While Wood was born in Lethbridge, he calls Nanaimo home and played for the BCHL’s Victoria Grizzlies before last season, so I’m willing to count him as a local prospect. The 6’3 right handed centre is everything the Canucks have been looking for in a centre for the future, possessing a great combination of size and skill. Despite being the youngest player in the NCAA last season, Wood put up 34 points in 35 games played at UConn, showing just how capable he is offensively. Wood may not be the fastest player on the ice, but his skating isn’t problematic, and his shot more than makes up for his not being the fleetest of foot. With Wood commonly projected to be picked somewhere in the 10-20 range of the draft, there’s a very real chance that he could be the one to hear his name called by the Canucks in Nashville. 

Richmond native Lukas Dragicevic certainly fits a role that the Canucks need. A smooth skating right shot defenceman, Dragicevic has the potential to make an excellent 2-way defenceman should he be able to progress his game in a few areas. While his defensive game at the moment leaves something to be desired, this can often be the case with young blueliners. Dragicevic abilities with the puck on his stick and mobility also make him a nightmare for opposing defences and penalty kills. If Vancouver are willing to put some work in on developing his defensive game, Dragicevic could be a worthwhile prospect, although taking him at 11th overall may be something of a reach. Should the Canucks acquire another high pick though, a player like Dragicevic should be on their radar. 

While Honzek may not be from BC like these other prospects, the fact that he plays for the Vancouver Giants of the WHL is enough for me to count him as local. Honzek’s combination of size and skating will make him appealing to almost any team in the draft, and while like Dragicevic taking him at 11 would be a bit of a reach by the Canucks, Honzek is a player who could be appealing in the late first or early second round should the Canucks be able to acquire another pick. Honzek projects as a winger rather than a centre at the NHL level, which may take away some of his appeal, but that doesn’t take away from the talent Honzek possesses. If the 6-foot-4 Slovak falls into the Canucks lap, he would certainly make a valuable addition to the organizations prospect pool.