March 9th, 2025
Kaelyb Kowal
The Vancouver Canucks have a rich history of developing talent, and as the team continues to build for the future, there is a strong focus on scouting and acquiring promising prospects. With the 2025 NHL Draft on the horizon, there are plenty of players the Canucks could target. I have picked out the six I believe best fit the team. From towering centers to agile defensemen and speedy goalies the Canucks’ prospect pool could grow greatly with intriguing young talent ready to make their mark. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of my top NHL prospects for the Canucks, analyzing their strengths, weaknesses, and potential to contribute to the team's future success.
With the recent departure of J.T. Miller, Vancouver needs some centre depth. With our current position in the league, my brain goes to Jack Nesbitt. One of the most promising forwards in the 2025 draft class, Nesbitt, is a towering 6'4", 183-pound center from the Windsor Spitfires. Born in 2007, Nesbitt is a left-handed shot and has already made a significant impact in the OHL. Over the course of 59 games in the 2024-2025 season, he tallied 21 goals, 35 assists, and 56 points. His combination of size, skill, and playmaking ability makes him an intriguing prospect for the Canucks, who are looking for strong, two-way forwards to help complement their core players.
Nesbitt’s size gives him an advantage in the physical aspect of the game, but his vision and creativity allow him to make plays that few players of his stature can. He’s particularly effective in the offensive zone, using his big frame to shield the puck and create space for his teammates. However, he’ll need to continue developing his skating and defensive game to thrive at the NHL level. His current draft ranking puts him in the mid-first to early second-round range, and the Canucks could very well take a chance on him to add depth to their forward group. Nesbitt would be a great player to draft at that 15th-18th overall pick the Canucks seem to be heading for.
When you think of Canucks goaltending a few things may come to mind. Demko’s injuries, inconsistency, and uncertainty about the future. (Lankinen?) This season has been nothing short of an emotional rollercoaster for Canucks fans and while Lankinen has been lovely, the goaltending is honestly still up in the air. What's happening with Demko? Is Lankinen our full-time starter? Arty, the playoff wonder? Even with Tolopilo and Young, Vancouver doesn’t have any top goaltending prospects. This is why I feel Pyotr Andreyanov would be a great use of our second-round pick this year. The 6'0", 207-pound netminder from Krasnaya Armiya Moskva in the MHL is quickly gaining attention for his stellar performances between the pipes. Born in 2007, Andreyanov has posted impressive stats in the MHL, with a 1.78 GAA, a .941 save percentage, and three shutouts in 32 games. With a 21-5-0 record, Andreyanov has demonstrated his ability to steal games and keep his team in the game.
The Canucks have made strides in their goaltending development, even with the loss of Ian Clark and, Andreyanov could be an intriguing option as a future starter with proper development. His calmness under pressure makes him a reliable presence in net which I’m sure all Canucks fans would love to watch. Andreyanov’s draft ranking suggests he could be a second-round pick, and given his track record, he could offer solid competition for the Canucks’ future goaltending depth. The Canucks will need to continue monitoring his development closely, but he is certainly a player to keep an eye on as the team looks to possibly find its next star goalie.
Round 3: Michal Svrcek, Forward, Brynäs IF J20 (J20 National League)
Slovakian hockey players have been slowly becoming more popular in the NHL, with names like Slafkovsky, Nemec, Pospisil, and Honzek, amongst many others, impacting their teams. Well, next up is Michal Svrcek, a 2007-born left-handed center, who has quickly established himself as one of the top young prospects in Swedish hockey leagues. Currently playing for Brynäs IF J20 in the J20 National League, Svrcek has demonstrated impressive offensive abilities, tallying 14 goals and 16 assists for 30 points in 30 games. Standing 5'10" and weighing 176 pounds, he possesses a solid build and a well-rounded skill set that allows him to be effective at both ends of the ice. In addition to his junior success, Svrcek has also gained valuable experience playing at the senior level with Brynäs IF in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL), recording 1 goal and 2 assists in 15 games. His ability to step up and contribute against much older and experienced players in the SHL speaks to his maturity and hockey IQ.
The Canucks are in desperate need of Center depth, with Elias Petterson being our only real top 6 centers, and no real Center prospects besides Räty, the time is now to draft some Centers. I feel that alongside Jack Nesbitt and Jordan Gavin (Pick 4), Michal Svrcek could greatly help Vancouver's center depth within the next couple of years. Svrcek’s consistent performance across both the junior and senior levels has put him on the radar of scouts, with many predicting he could be drafted in the early third round, which is likely where our pick from San Jose will land. His combination of skill, versatility, and ability to perform under pressure make him a player to watch in the coming years as he continues to develop his game and rise through the ranks of Swedish hockey. With his trajectory, it seems likely that Svrcek will make a significant impact in the professional ranks in the near future.
Round 4: Jordan Gavin, Forward, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
Jordan Gavin, a versatile forward for the Brandon Wheat Kings, is a name that could become familiar to Canucks fans in the near future. Born in 2006, the 5'11", 179-pound center/left wing is known for his ability to impact the game at both ends of the ice. This season, Gavin has put up 19 goals, 28 assists, and 47 points in 56 games, splitting his time between the Tri-City Americans and the Brandon Wheat Kings.
Gavin’s draft ranking places him anywhere from the late second to early fourth round, so if Vancouver could grab him in the fourth round, it would be a great move. His ability to contribute in all areas of the ice makes him an appealing prospect for the Canucks. His speed and offensive instincts are his most notable strengths, but his defensive game and physicality also give him a well-rounded skill set. However, like many young players, Gavin still needs to refine certain aspects of his game, particularly in terms of consistency and decision-making. With a bit of coaching, Gavin could become a valuable top-nine forward for the Canucks in the near future.
Round 5: Linards Feldbergs, Goalie, Sherbrooke Phoenix (QMJHL)
At 6'2" and 187 pounds, Linards Feldbergs is a 2005-born goaltender who has had a solid career thus far, primarily in Latvia. This season marks his first year in North America, where he’s been playing for the Sherbrooke Phoenix in the QMJHL. Despite being nearly 20 years old, Feldbergs has shown significant upside, posting a 2.48 GAA, a .907 save percentage, and three shutouts in 34 games, with an 18-10-2 record.
Feldberg’s draft status is a bit uncertain, as he is not currently ranked by most scouting services, however, I feel he is likely to go in the late fourth to early fifth round. The Canucks’ development team has had success in nurturing goaltending prospects, and Feldbergs’ quickness, solid stance, and ability to move laterally make him an intriguing prospect. Despite his age, he has room to grow and could develop into a reliable backup or fringe starter. As the Canucks look to solidify their goaltending depth, Feldbergs could be a key player in their long-term plans, especially if he continues to progress under the guidance of the team's coaching staff.
One of the Canucks’ more intriguing homegrown prospects is Mazden Leslie, a 6'1", 201-pound defenseman for the Vancouver Giants in the WHL. Born in 2005, Leslie is a right-handed shot who has been a standout for the Giants this season, registering 16 goals, 46 assists, and 62 points in 56 games. His offensive production has been impressive, particularly for a defenseman, showcasing his ability to contribute in all areas of the ice.
Leslie’s combination of size, skating ability, and offensive skill makes him a strong candidate for a top-four role in the NHL down the line. His playmaking ability and vision on the power play are strong, and he’s a threat to jump up into the rush and create scoring chances. However, his defensive game still needs some refinement, and he will need to improve his positioning and gap control in order to succeed at the next level. Leslie’s size and mobility give him plenty of potential, and he could be a key piece of the Canucks’ defense cores in the years to come.
Round 7: Felix Öhrqvist, Defence, Almtuna IS (HockeyAllsvenskan)
Felix Öhrqvist, a 5'8", 165-pound defenseman from Sweden, is a bit of an outlier in terms of size compared to many of the other prospects on this list, but his skillset makes him an interesting player to watch. Born in 2006, Öhrqvist has been playing for Almtuna IS in Sweden’s HockeyAllsvenskan league, where he’s put up two goals, 13 assists, and 15 points in 25 games. Additionally, he has shown promise in the J20 Nationell league, notching 20 points in 18 games for Linköping HC J20.
Öhrqvist’s strength lies in his mobility and puck-moving ability, which make him a smooth transition player from defense to offense. While his size might be seen as a disadvantage in certain aspects of the game, his quickness and intelligence allow him to outmaneuver larger opponents. He’s also shown a high hockey IQ, which could make him a valuable depth player for the Canucks’ future. Given his skill set and his potential to develop further, Öhrqvist is definitely a name to keep an eye on as he progresses in his career.
As the Canucks continue to shape their future, the next generation of talent is already on the horizon. With needs in all three positions, I feel drafting a good mix will ultimately help the Canucks most. From players like Jack Nesbitt and Jordan Gavin, who bring a strong offensive presence, to goaltenders like Pyotr Andreyanov and Linards Feldbergs, the Canucks would have a deep rejuvenated pool of talent to draw from. As the Canucks prospects develop, it will be exciting to see who emerges as the future star of the franchise. The Canucks’ commitment to scouting and player development is sure to pay dividends, and the team’s future looks bright.