The months of suffering through injuries and scoring struggles have paid off for the Vancouver Canucks. As a result of the 2016 Draft Lottery, the Canucks will draft fifth overall in this year’s Entry Draft that features top prospects Auston Matthews, Patrik Laine, Jesse Puljujarvi, and many others.
President Trevor Linden was present in Toronto as the Canuck representative. He was carrying a good luck charm — a Pat Quinn rookie hockey card. Linden was on the air with Sportsnet right before the lottery, saying that the Canucks cannot be losers at the lottery.
With the fifth overall pick, the Canucks will be able to draft top defenseman Olli Juolevi.