Are These the Four Players the Canucks Are Considering with Pick #3?

There might be some clarity on the direction the Vancouver Canucks will take with the third overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. CHEK News’ Rick Dhaliwal recently reported that the Canucks are having dinner meetings with four prospects at the draft combine in Buffalo this week. While only these four have been confirmed, that doesn’t rule out meetings with other potential top picks. 

These dinner meetings aren’t always the best indicators of which way a team is leaning. Juraj Slafkovsky famously didn’t dine with Montreal Canadiens management before they selected him first overall in 2022, though they had a phone call, which he described as “tasting better” than dinner. However, it does seem like these are the clear top four players on the Canucks’ radar.

Could McKenna Fall to Vancouver?

Since the draft lottery in early May, Gavin McKenna is not expected to fall into the Canucks’ lap at third overall. However, according to San Jose Sharks insider Sheng Peng, the Canucks are the only team with a scheduled dinner meeting with McKenna at the combine, which will certainly perk up the ears of the Canucks faithful.

McKenna is one of the most skilled offensive prospects we’ve seen in years, dominating the Western Hockey League with the Medicine Hat Tigers and putting up an outstanding performance with Penn State in the second half of the year. His precise passing and deep toolbox of skills have some comparing him to phenoms like Nikita Kucherov and Patrick Kane.

It’s worth noting that, according to reporter Chris Johnston on his podcast, the Toronto Maple Leafs also have staff set to meet with McKenna in his hometown of Whitehorse. 

Ivar Stenberg: The Clear Favourite?

Similar to McKenna, the Canucks’ chances of snagging Stenberg really come down to the decisions of the teams picking ahead of them. Stenberg is probably the most NHL-ready player in this draft class.

A highly skilled winger, Stenberg put up one of the better draft-eligible draft seasons in the Swedish Hockey League, scoring 33 points in 43 games, the best mark since his potential future bosses, Henrik and Daniel Sedin. He also had some really strong international performances, leading the gold-medal-winning Team Sweden in points at the World Juniors and scoring at a point-per-game pace at the IIHF World Championships.

The Sharks have a dinner meeting with Stenberg, according to Peng. The Sharks have also scheduled dinner with defensemen Carson Carels and Keaton Verhoeff. They have been known to draft the best player available, which they proved again last year by selecting top-ranked centre Michael Misa, despite having organizational depth at the position. However, it’s difficult to find elite top-pairing defensemen, and that’s what the Sharks need. 

The Malhotra Connection

Perhaps the most discussed possible pick is Caleb Malhotra. Malhotra is the son of the Canucks’ newly appointed head coach, Manny Malhotra. The Sedins acknowledged this, stating that they would trust the scouts and not let the familial connection affect their decision. 

There is plenty to be excited about with Caleb. He plays a complete game just like his father did, but he also has a great offensive touch. The playoffs, in particular, shot his draft stock to the moon, with 13 goals and 13 assists in 15 games. He is built for the big moment, which could be huge for the Canucks when they eventually return to the postseason.

This isn’t the best draft for centres, which is another major boost to Malhotra’s stock. A star centre is often the foundational pillar for a rebuild, and the Canucks are definitely looking for that. As of now, though, the likely scenario is that Malhotra becomes a solid two-way centre, perhaps more of a second-line pivot. 

Could the Canucks go the Defence Route?

Chase Reid’s name hasn’t come up as much as a possible Canucks target. With that said, he’s probably the top defenseman in the draft, rising up the boards this season. Talented righty defensemen are among the most highly sought-after treasure chests in the vast ocean floor of draft prospects.

Like McKenna and Stenberg, Reid could easily go second overall, which is perhaps why he hasn’t been tied to the Canucks like other possibilities. The Sharks could really use a well-rounded righty who can quarterback their stacked power play. If he’s available, however, and Stenberg and/or McKenna aren’t, the Canucks should pounce. He would join a young blue line with promise and could easily become its best piece.