Vancouver Canucks’ Target With No. 41 Pick in 2026 NHL Draft – The Hockey Writers – Vancouver Canucks

The Vancouver Canucks enter the 2026 NHL Draft with an unusually large amount of starting money. Armed with four picks in the top 50, management has a prime opportunity to add a roster that balances top talent and structural strength. Following our previous breakdown of the team’s picks at 33rd overall, the focus shifts slightly from the second round to the 41st pick. Some of those names could be available if the Canucks are on the clock for this pick, so here are five others to consider.

Jonas Lagerberg Hoen, Right Wing, Leksands IF U20

For a team looking to add dynamic scoring depth to the sides, Jonas Lagerberg Hoen represents a very attractive option. Operating in the Swedish junior system, the right winger has quietly established himself as one of the purest, heaviest shooters available in this range.

Lagerberg Hoen has a smooth and powerful skating game that allows him to challenge defenders on the run. He excels at generating speed in the neutral zone, forcing opposing defenders into their heels before dropping back to take advantage of the open ice. His defining characteristic, however, is his release. He has an innate ability to find quiet spaces in the offensive zone, learning to pull off a difficult snap or an accurate one-timer.

At over 6-foot-2, he has the frame of a modern power forward, though he is still in the process of adding the muscle needed to take full advantage of his size at the professional level. His defensive position is mature; he actively patrols the lower half of the ice to support his defenders rather than cheat transitions. If the Canucks are looking for a winger who can eventually act as a scoring threat on the second line and a huge asset on the power play, Lagerberg Hoen is a gamble worth taking.

Alessandro Di Iorio, Centre, Sarnia Sting

If the Canucks decide to prioritize stability and creativity in the middle, Sarnia Sting forward Alessandro Di Iorio fits the profile perfectly. In a draft class thin on true, all-around centers, Di Iorio offers a surprisingly high spot due to the perfection of his game.

Di Iorio is a very cerebral player who rarely finds himself out of position. He acts as an important safety valve for his defenders, always dropping deep into his zone to help break out and defend the zone. While he doesn’t have the explosive speed to blow past defenders on his own, his play speed is adequate, and his transition game is fueled by smart decision-making rather than raw speed.

Offensively, he is an elite distributor who excels at setting up plays in high-risk areas. He can protect the puck well off the boards and has a tricky bend and drag shot that keeps goaltenders honest. He acts as a reliable, middle-of-the-lineup center who can kill penalties, play on the second unit on the power play, and match up with opposing teams’ forwards. He is a well-organized, reliable breed that is loved by training staff.

Casey Mutryn, Center, USNTDP Juniors

For those who believe the Canucks still need to add practical grit and defensive commitment to their pool, Casey Mutryn is a name that needs attention. The captain of the US National Team Development Program is widely regarded as one of the best defensive players in every format.

Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing over 200 pounds, Mutryn plays a physical, pressing style of hockey. He uses his large frame and exceptional acceleration to separate opponents from the puck with heavy, clean body checks. His stick position and defensive instincts are vastly improved, making him a nightmare for opposing puck carriers in neutral and defensive positions.

Mutryn is a playmaker who excels at getting the puck out of trouble, though his offensive numbers this past season were affected by being on a low-scoring team. In order to reach his full NHL ceiling, he will need to improve his stick handling in tight spots and reduce the flexibility of the offensive zone. Still, his work ethic and leadership qualities make him an incredibly safe bet to be an effective NHL shutdown forward.

Ryder Cali, Center, North Bay Battalion

Ryder Cali is one of the most exciting growth prospects to come out of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). As one of the youngest players eligible for this year’s draft, Cali is already pushing 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, giving him plenty of physical upside as his body continues to mature.

Cali’s season was a tale of two halves, marred by a serious shoulder injury. When he returned to North Bay, his confidence grew, and he worked with a point per game in the last half of the regular season. He is a strong, direct skater with the soft hands of a player of his level. This combination makes him dangerous on the boards and under the goal line, where he can extend plays under high pressure.

At the international level, Cali has shown his versatility by playing a reliable, hard-nosed scouting role for Team Canada. He works incredibly well around the crease, using good hand-eye coordination to deflect and clean goals. While he’s still working to unlock great lateral strength and accelerate his shooting output, his combination of size, late-season offensive surge, and basic defensive awareness make him an incredibly attractive project for Vancouver’s development staff.

Adam Nemec, Right Wing, HK Nitra/Sudbury Wolves

Rounding out the list is Slovakian midfielder Adam Nemec, whose draft year is expected to be defined by a major developmental pivot. The younger brother of New Jersey Devils defenseman Simon Nemec started his season playing for seniors in the Slovak top division with HK Nitra, but chose to go to North America in the middle of the winter to secure more valuable ice time.

When he arrived in the OHL with the Sudbury Wolves following the World Juniors, Nemec really began to flourish. Given top-six minutes and heavy duty, he quickly adjusted to the light ice and fast tempo of the big junior game. He proved to be Sudbury’s most efficient point-per-game producer for a long time, using his high motor and smart playmaking to drive the Wolves’ transition game. His willingness to look forward and run back on the backcheck makes him a highly-translatable prospect, and his seamless transition to Sudbury proves he can handle the North American style.

The Canucks’ pick at 41 will ultimately show what philosophy they value most for the next wave of their roster. Whether they choose the pure shooting talent of Lagerberg Hoen, the security, stability of Di Iorio, the physical shutdown power of Mutryn, the raw upside power of Cali, or the tested intelligence of Nemec, they have a great opportunity to inject an impactful asset into the organization.

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