Pleading the Fifth

Picture by Gerry Kahrmann

With the 2016 NHL Draft Lottery taking place last weekend, the Vancouver Canucks now find themselves picking fifth. Obviously, that means they won't be taking Auston Matthews or either of the highly touted Finns (Patrik Laine or Jesse Puljujarvi). However, that doesn't mean the Canucks can't get a player that can help them in the long run. With that in mind, let's see where the Canucks can go with the pick they have.

Jakob Chychrun, D, Sarnia (OHL): The Canucks' need for a defenseman has been obvious since they were eliminated by Calgary in last year's playoffs. The failure to adequately address this need in the off-season plus the team's struggles only amplify that need. Adding Chychrun would give them a top prospect on the blue line that they currently don't have on the roster or in the pipeline. At best, Chychrun would be a dominant two-way force that can step in right away.

Pierre-Luc Dubois, LW, Cape Breton (QMJHL): The top-ranked skater in North America according to the rankings, he is capable of playing all three forward positions and would not only give the Canucks offense, but also be a tough customer to play against. Think Jarome Iginla in his prime.

Matthew Tkachuk, LW, London (OHL): The son of ex-NHLer Keith Tkachuk, Matthew plays almost like his dad. He's comparable to Dubois, but with the bloodlines, there is a chance the Canucks won't want to pass up on Tkachuk if given the choice between him and Dubois.

Olli Juolevi, D, London (OHL): Playing big minutes for the J. Ross Robertson bound London, Juolevi is quite possibly the best defender on the offensive side of the puck. Though less physical than Chychrun, he does possess smarts and could very well be coveted by the Canucks, as they have him as the highest rated defender according to sources such as Pass it to Bulis.

Mikhail Sergachev, D, Windsor (OHL): Of the three defensemen listed, he possess the biggest risk due to the Russian factor. However, he is just as physical as Chychrun and has the offensive game of Juolevi. Named the best defenseman of the OHL this past season, it is conceivable that the Canucks may let him develop in Windsor one more year since the Spitfires are hosting the Memorial Cup next season.

Alexander Nylander, LW, Mississauga (OHL): If it's pure skill up front that the Canucks are looking for, they need not look further than Nylander. The son of Mikael and the brother of current Maple Leaf William, Nylander has similar skill sets to his father and brother, and while size can be an issue, the skill may very well be too good to ignore.

The Canucks have many directions that they can go to, and while their fate may very well rest upon what the Edmonton Oilers do, as they pick fourth, the Canucks can start filling the holes that became very apparent last season.