As we continue our deep dive into targets for the Vancouver Canucks at the 2026 NHL Draft, the conversation naturally shifts toward organizational philosophy. Picking at 24th overall — a selection acquired from the Minnesota Wild — management faces a familiar crossroads. Do they opt for a safe, high-floor prospect who projects as a reliable top-nine contributor, or do they swing for elite offensive upside?
If general manager Ryan Johnson and his scouting staff choose the latter, Saginaw Spirit right-winger Nikita Klepov should be at the very top of the whiteboard.
Klepov is one of the most polarizing figures in this draft class. On one hand, his offensive production in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) this past season was nothing short of historic. On the other hand, traditional flaws in his skating and defensive engagement have some scouts hesitant. For a Canucks franchise desperately needing an injection of high-end skill, Klepov represents the exact type of calculated risk that can alter the trajectory of a rebuild.
Scouting Report
Klepov is a 6-foot, 180-pound right-shot winger who completely dismantled junior hockey this season. He led the entire OHL in scoring with 37 goals and 97 points in 67 games, capturing the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy as the league’s top scorer and shattering Saginaw’s rookie scoring record previously held by Cole Perfetti. Following his junior stint, Klepov is committed to further refining his game at the NCAA level with the Michigan State Spartans.
When you watch tape on Klepov, the first thing that jumps out is his absolute calmness with the puck. He plays the game at his own tempo, refusing to be panicked by oncoming checkers. He possesses elite puck-handling ability and high-end vision, making him an exceptionally dangerous dual-threat option in the offensive zone.
He is particularly lethal as a power-play catalyst from the right faceoff dot, where defenders are forced to respect both his tight-seam passing ability and a heavy, precise one-timer. Despite needing to add bulk to his frame, Klepov is surprisingly effective along the boards. He uses excellent edge work and a low center of gravity to protect the puck, regularly turning battles along the wall into clean scoring chances.
However, Klepov is far from a perfect prospect. The primary concern among draft experts is his straight-line speed and overall skating mechanics. His stride can look clunky and disconnected, lacking the explosive first-step quickness required to burn NHL defencemen in transition. Furthermore, his defensive game is very much a work in progress. He has a tendency to float in his own zone, occasionally acting as a passive bystander waiting for a breakout rather than engaging physically to stop the cycle.
What Others Are Saying
“He has a great shot with a quick release, and he uses plenty of deceptive movements and subtle shifts to get the goalie off-kilter. He’s also a creative puck-mover who can slip a puck by several defenders to a wide-open teammate.”
Dayton Reimer, The Hockey Writers
“He can cut through defenders with ease, shows quick movement and executes plays with his timing and strong puck skills in tight spaces. Defensively, he needs work and there are times where he’s not as engaging and lets the play come to him, but he can turn on the jets and step in to regain possession instantly.”
Peter Baracchini, The Hockey Writers
“Between the body-dekeing, the physicality, and the sheer puck manipulation skill, it’s a lot of fun to just sit down and focus on Klepov within the course of a game. The real breadwinner here is his shot. Klepov’s one-timer reminds me a lot of Evgeni Malkin’s in how he loads and releases it. He is an absolute force on the power-play for this reason, among others. He sits in the lower, right circle and just waits for chances to either let one rip from distance or collect one and drive it to the net.”
Jesse Marshall, Faceoff-Factor
Fit in the Canucks’ Prospect Pool
It is no secret that the Canucks’ pipeline is severely lacking in dynamic, top-six offensive talent. While the system possesses a few projects who project as functional NHL depth or bottom-six energy players, it completely lacks a true game-breaker — a player who can dictate the pace of play and carry a line.
Klepov fits a massive positional and structural need. As a right-shot winger with elite playmaking capabilities and a great shot, he would instantly become one of the jewels of Vancouver’s forward prospects. Because Klepov is committed to Michigan State, the Canucks would not need to rush his development.
He would have two to three seasons in a premier college program to work closely with skating coaches and strength staff to bulk up past his current 181 pounds. This development path aligns perfectly with the Canucks’ timeline, allowing the player to mature physically while the NHL roster continues its transition.
Should the Canucks Draft Him?
The short answer is an empathetic yes.
For years, the critique of Vancouver’s draft strategy has been an over-reliance on safe, high-floor prospects who lack the ceiling to become impact NHL players. At 24th overall, the Canucks cannot afford to draft a future fourth-liner. They need to swing for the fences.
Players who record nearly 100 points in the OHL during their draft year rarely drop to the bottom third of the first round. If NHL front offices get cold feet over Klepov’s skating mechanics or his passive defensive tendencies, the Canucks should be waiting to capitalize.
Skating can be adjusted through modern sports science and focused coaching; natural offensive instincts and elite vision cannot be taught. If Klepov is available when the Canucks walk up to the podium at pick 24, he represents the exact type of high-upside gamble this franchise desperately needs to make.
AI tools were used to support the creation or distribution of this content, however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of The Hockey Writers editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our Editorial Standards page.
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