Canucks to pick fifth in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The Vancouver Canucks won’t have the pleasure of settling the ‘Nolan or Nico’ debate in this June’s NHL entry draft, as the club dropped three spots in the lottery, and will select fifth overall in Chicago on June 23rd. New Jersey, Philadelphia, and Dallas make up the top 3. The Colorado Avalanche slid to fourth – the Avs went into the day with the best odds to win the lottery.

New Jersey’s number combination of 1,5,6,12 secured the top pick. The Canucks’ combination came up 1,5,6,11 – one number off from winning the whole thing – a fate also met by the Detroit Red Wings, who will select ninth.

The result means the Canucks will make the fifth pick for the second straight season. The team drafted London Knights defenseman Olli Juolevi in that spot in 2016.

New Canucks head coach Travis Green spoke to the media at Rogers Arena following the announcement. Now that the consensus top two in this year’s draft are off the board for Vancouver, he was focused on who the club can find at five.

“From what I’ve heard, there’s a chance you’re going to get a really good player down the line from (3rd pick through 10th). Green said.

“You know going in that there’s no guarantee, but you also know that you’re going to get a good player.”

Green did admit that he was hopeful things were going to bounce the Canucks’ way on Saturday.

“Anytime you’ve got a chance to pick number one, you’re definitley hoping that you’re going to get the first pick. That’s why they have (the lottery).”

“We’ve got the 5th pick, but we know we’re going to get a good player.”

The expansion Vegas Golden Knights will pick behind the Canucks at six. Arizona, Buffalo, Detroit and Florida rounded out the top ten.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today