2026 NHL Entry Draft – Page 3

By Andrew Phillip Chernoff | CanucksBanter

June 25, 2026

The 2026 NHL Entry Draft, scheduled to take place on June 26–27 at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York, represents a critical pivot point for several NHL franchises. This draft class is defined not only by its top-end generational talent at the very peak of the first round but also by the remarkable depth of regional cohorts.

Among these, the province of British Columbia has produced a highly competitive group of prospects whose draft trajectories span from the middle of the first round through the late-round developmental selections on Day Two.

This post provides the top British Columbia-born prospects eligible for the 2026 draft.

First-Round Elite

The upper echelon of the British Columbia developmental pipeline features a highly sophisticated group of playmakers, high-volume shooters, and a pair of identical twin forwards whose combined chemistry has captured the attention of NHL front offices. These players are projected to hear their names called on Friday night during the first round.

Ryan Lin, Right-Shot Defenseman (Richmond, BC)

Ryan Lin of the Vancouver Giants is widely projected to be the first British Columbia-born player selected in the 2026 draft. Standing at 5-foot-11 and weighing 176 pounds, the Richmond native has established himself as an elite, modern transitional defender. During his draft-eligible campaign in the Western Hockey League, Lin recorded 57 points (14 goals, 43 assists) in 53 games. His micro-level tracking data highlights an exceptional capacity to dictate the tempo of play from the back end. Lin is heavily involved in his team’s offensive transition game, carrying a 31.3% offensive transition involvement rate while maintaining a highly efficient 66.67% controlled entry success rate.

Scouting consensus highlights Lin’s high-end skating mechanics and rush-defense capabilities. Despite his average physical stature, Lin defends the rush with high-level stick positioning and lateral mobility, limiting zone entries and immediately initiating counter-rushes. Committed to the reigning collegiate powerhouse University of Denver for the 2026–27 season, Lin’s developmental path is highly coveted by NHL franchises seeking a dynamic, possession-driving, right-shot blue liner.

In final mock draft projections, Lin’s draft range is established between picks 14 and 24. Industry insider Steven Ellis of Daily Faceoff projects Lin selecting 15th overall to the St. Louis Blues, a team actively reconstructing its blue-line depth. Alternatively, mock draft summaries suggest the Columbus Blue Jackets could target Lin at the 14th overall selection, utilizing his transition skills to complement their physical forward core. Should Lin experience a minor slide on draft night, his hometown Vancouver Canucks, holding the 24th overall selection, represent an absolute developmental floor.

Mathis Preston, Right-Wing/Center (Penticton, BC)

Mathis Preston represents the premier goal-scoring threat from the British Columbia cohort. Hailing from Penticton, Preston split his draft campaign between the Spokane Chiefs and the Vancouver Giants, compiling 44 points (18 goals, 26 assists) across 46 games. His season was partially disrupted by a lower-body injury suffered shortly after his trade to Vancouver, which sidelined him for two months. However, his return to the lineup showcased an NHL-caliber release and top-six offensive utility, as he generated 12 points in his final 10 regular-season games with the Giants.

Preston’s offensive profile is defined by high-volume shooting and dangerous-area facilitation. His shot-generation metrics rank among the elite in the Western Hockey League, averaging over 20 shot attempts per 60 minutes of five-on-five play. Preston also demonstrates high-end lateral agility, allowing him to gain the zone under control and navigate tight defensive coverage.

Mock drafts position Preston in the late first round. Daily Faceoff’s final projections place him at 23rd overall to the Boston Bruins, where his speed and shooting ability would address a long-term organizational need for dynamic wingers. However, should he remain on the board at pick 24, the Vancouver Canucks are expected to highly consider the Penticton native, who has openly discussed his childhood dream of wearing the Canucks sweater.

Liam and Markus Ruck, The Osoyoos Twin Connection

The Ruck twins of the Medicine Hat Tigers have authored one of the most remarkable developmental narratives of the 2026 draft class. Born and raised in Osoyoos, the identical mirror twins have spent their entire lives playing on the same line, developing an intuitive on-ice chemistry that draws natural comparisons to franchise icons Daniel and Henrik Sedin. During the 2025–26 WHL season, the brothers emerged as the top two scorers in the league.

Liam Ruck, a right-shot winger, recorded 45 goals and 59 assists for 104 points in 68 games. He is characterized as a clinical finisher with exceptional net-front instincts and a heavy, precise release. Markus Ruck, a left-shot center, led the Western Hockey League with 108 points, including a league-high 87 assists. Markus serves as the primary distributor of the tandem, utilizing elite vision and spatial awareness to locate passing lanes under pressure. Both brothers have committed to the University of North Dakota, beginning in the 2027–28 season.

The draft projections for the Ruck twins represent a unique logistical puzzle for NHL front offices. While some public scouting services rank them independently in the late first to early second-round range, Craig Button’s TSN Mock Draft projects a highly coordinated scenario. Button mocks the Vancouver Canucks—now led by the Sedin twins in key management roles—trading up to the 29th overall selection to select Markus Ruck, having already secured Liam Ruck earlier in the late first round. This strategy ensures that the twins’ unique developmental synergy is preserved within a professional franchise.

Prospect	Pos	Ht/Wt	Hometown	WHL Club	Draft Range
Ryan Lin	RD	5′-11″175 lbs	Richmond, BC	Vancouver Giants	Picks 14–24
Mathis Preston	RW	5-11 / 176 lbs	Penticton, BC	Vancouver Giants	Picks 23–24
Liam Ruck	RW	6-0 / 176 lbs	Osoyoos, BC	Medicine Hat Tigers	Picks 21–28
Markus Ruck	C	6-0 / 175 lbs	Osoyoos, BC	Medicine Hat Tigers	Picks 29–33

Day Two Depth Class

The middle and late rounds of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft feature several highly competitive British Columbia-born prospects. These players offer specialized professional profiles, ranging from physical shutdown defensemen to high-tempo collegiate-track forwards.

Chase Harrington, Left Wing (Prince George, BC)

Chase Harrington of the Spokane Chiefs represents the premier second-round option from the British Columbia cohort. Standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing 201 pounds, the Prince George native plays a physical, high-intensity, two-way game. During his draft-eligible season, Harrington recorded 57 points (28 goals, 29 assists) in 61 games, while also leading his team with 105 penalty minutes.

NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings placed Harrington 26th among all North American skaters, making him the top-rated prospect in the US Division. Harrington’s scouting profile emphasizes his relentless work ethic, aggressive forechecking, and a dangerous release around the net. Described by scouts as a “rocket launcher” due to his physical impact and willingness to engage in board battles, Harrington projects as a highly reliable, middle-six energy forward at the NHL level.

He is expected to be selected in the second round, in the range of picks 33 to 50, with the Vancouver Canucks (holding picks 33 and 41) or the Calgary Flames serving as logical landing spots.

Ethan MacKenzie, Left-Shot Defenseman (Peachland, BC)

Ethan MacKenzie represents a highly compelling overaged developmental option in the third round. Born in Richmond and raised in Peachland, the 19-year-old defenseman had a breakout season with the Edmonton Oil Kings, registering 58 points (22 goals, 36 assists) in 59 games. MacKenzie’s 22 goals marked the second-most in a single season by a defenseman in modern franchise history, highlighting his elite point shot and power-play utility.

At the 2026 NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo, MacKenzie demonstrated elite physical readiness, finishing in the top five of several fitness testing categories, including bench press, agility, and the Wingate VO2 max test. Ranked 62nd among North American skaters, MacKenzie’s combination of aggressive defensive cycles, physical bite, and transition skating makes him a target for teams looking for an advanced defenseman.

Committed to the University of North Dakota, MacKenzie is projected to be selected in the third round (picks 70–96), with the Chicago Blackhawks or the Edmonton Oilers representing strong fits for his collegiate-track timeline.

Savin Virk, Right Wing (Surrey, BC)

Savin Virk has navigated a highly successful transition from the Chilliwack Chiefs in the BCHL to the Tri-City Americans in the WHL. Standing at 6-foot-0 and weighing 172 pounds, the Surrey native recorded 65 points (27 goals, 38 assists) in 66 games during the 2025–26 campaign.

Virk’s primary strength lies in his advanced positioning and quick-touch passing. He consistently anticipates plays a step ahead of defenders, positioning himself to receive and distribute the puck efficiently in high-danger areas.

Committed to Michigan State University, Virk’s collegiate timeline makes him a logical fourth-round target for patient organizations.

Joe Iginla, Forward (Lake Country, BC)

Joe Iginla of the Vancouver Giants carries one of the most high-profile lineages in the draft class. The younger brother of Utah Mammoth forward Tij Iginla and son of Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla, the Lake Country native is a competitive, high-tempo forward.

Ranked 124th among North American skaters in the midterm rankings, Iginla’s game is defined by a relentless work rate and smart off-puck reads.

He projects as a fourth-to-fifth-round selection, with the Utah Mammoth or the Calgary Flames representing highly logical destinations.

Noah Kosick, Center (Victoria, BC)

Noah Kosick represents a high-upside playmaking flyer for the late rounds of the draft. Raised in Victoria, Kosick faced an adjustment period early in his WHL career with Calgary but found his stride after a mid-season trade to Swift Current, recording 34 points in 37 games. He was subsequently acquired by the Seattle Thunderbirds to bolster their offensive depth.

Kosick possesses exceptional vision and passing accuracy, although he continues to work on his defensive engagement and overall physical strength.

Projected as a fifth-to-sixth-round selection, Kosick represents an excellent late-round option for regional teams like the Seattle Kraken or the Vancouver Canucks.

Prospect	Pos	Ht /Wt	Home	WHL Club	Draft Pos
Chase Harrington	LW	6′-1″/201 lbs	Prince George, BC	Spokane Chiefs	Pick 33–50
Ethan MacKenzie	LD	6′-1″/188 lbs	Peachland, BC	Edmonton Oil Kings	Pick 70–96
Savin Virk	RW	6-‘0″/172 lbs	Surrey, BC	Tri-City Americans	Round 5
Joe Iginla	LW	5′-10″/170 lbs	Lake Country, BC	Vancouver Giants	Round 4/Round 5
Noah Kosick	C	6′-0″/160 lbs	Victoria, BC	Seattle Thunderbirds	Round 5/Round 6

Regional Franchise Strategies and Draft Capital Alignment

The high concentration of high-end talent originating from British Columbia directly aligns with the strategic draft-day assets of several Western Conference franchises.

Franchise	Draft	System Needs	BC-Targets	Strategy
Vancouver	Pick 3 (R1), Pick 24 (R1), Pick 33 (R2), Pick 41 (R2), Pick 129 (R5)	Top-six wingers, right-shot transition defenders, center depth	Ryan Lin, Mathis Preston, Liam & Markus Ruck, Chase Harrington	Extremely strong position to secure local talent; trading up to pair the Ruck twins or selecting Ryan Lin addresses major system gaps.
Calgary	Multiple R2 Picks, Pick 30 (R1)	Physical middle-six forwards, blue-line depth	Liam & Markus Ruck, Chase Harrington, Joe Iginla	Excellent draft capital in the 30–60 range to draft physical, high-intensity junior players from the Western Hockey League.
Seattle	Pick 7 (R1), Pick 128 (R5)	Offensive playmakers, regional depth flyers	Mathis Preston, Noah Kosick, Joe Iginla	Opportunity to draft highly skilled Pacific Coast products to bolster their regional developmental identity

Projections and Expected Outcomes

The 2026 NHL Entry Draft is poised to be a highly successful event for the British Columbia hockey community. With potentially four players selected in the first round—led by the elite mobility of Richmond’s Ryan Lin and the goal-scoring capabilities of Penticton’s Mathis Preston—the province’s top-end talent is exceptionally well-regarded by NHL scouts.

On Day Two, the class offers outstanding value, featuring physical, highly structured competitors like Chase Harrington and mobile, collegiate-bound defensemen like Ethan MacKenzie.

As regional franchises like the Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames look to restock their developmental pipelines, they are highly likely to target this diverse and competitive group of British Columbia 2026 NHL Entry Draft prospects.

Until next time, hockey fans

Image showcasing Bo Byram trade speculation between the Buffalo Sabres and Vancouver Canucks, featuring team logos and a split image of a player in hockey gear. The left side highlights potential offers from the Sabres, while the right side lists team needs for the Canucks.

By Andrew Phillip Chernoff | CanucksBanter

June 18, 2026

Bo Byram on Trade Block?

TSN’s Hockey Insider Darren Dreger this morning revealed that “Multiple teams exploring a trade with the Buffalo Sabres involving Dman, Bo Byram. Byram has 1 yr left on his contract before becoming an unrestricted Free Agent. Agent, Darren Ferris has some history with marching players to the open market. Motivation for trade consideration.”

According to NHL Rumour Report “Some of the teams that were linked to Bowen Byram last summer: Blues, Flyers, Kings, Flames, Canucks, Blue Jackets, Golden Knights” may be involved again this offseason.

The rumor of the Vancouver Canucks looking to “reduce costs” or operate under some form of artificial/tightened budget in the 2026 offseason stems primarily from new Canucks GM Ryan Johnson 1-on-1: In a rebuild, ‘the biggest thing that you have to be is patient’ – The Athletic, amplified by local media/podcasts, rather than hard evidence of ownership-driven austerity.

The Canucks’ new leadership has initiated a veteran liquidation campaign. By shopping established core players to accumulate draft capital and elite prospects, Vancouver is positioning itself to restructure its payroll and build a sustainable long-term core.

The convergence of Buffalo’s need to capitalize on Byram’s value and Vancouver’s open-market veteran clearance presents a highly active trade dynamic ahead of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.

The Canucks have pursued Byram since their current management group arrived. Byram played his junior hockey for the WHL’s Vancouver Giants and has a strong desire to return to British Columbia. He would immediately step into a top-pairing role in Vancouver, a position he has struggled to secure behind Dahlin and Power in Buffalo.

The Canucks’ trade activity is closely tied to their draft strategy. Vancouver currently holds ten selections in the 2026 Draft, including the third-overall pick. The players they choose at the top of the draft will dictate which veteran roster players are moved.

Maintaining Rebuild Discipline

While Bowen Byram is an appealing target with local ties, General Manager Ryan Johnson must avoid overpaying for him. The Canucks are committed to a patient, long-term rebuild and should not part with high-end draft capital for a defenseman who is a year away from unrestricted free agency under an agent known for testing the open market.

If Vancouver pursues Byram, they should structure the deal as a sign-and-trade to secure him long-term at a reasonable cap hit. This would allow them to move out veteran salary, such as DeBrusk or Boeser, to offset the cap impact.

Otherwise, the Canucks should focus on accumulating draft assets, weaponizing their cap space through moves like the Brendan Gallagher trade, and building their core through the 2026 Draft.