For most Vancouver Canucks fans, there is little question about whom they should select in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft: forward Pierre-Luc Dubois. If Dubois gets picked up before that, Matthew Tkachuk is the obvious choice. Since the search for a Henrik Sedin successor is also a very real factor, center Logan Brown could also be a dark horse candidate. However, defenseman Olli Juolevi might just be the best choice.
Many fans seem scared that defensemen picked in the first round often don’t become the star players they are said to be. The reason for that are examples like Cam Barker (3rd overall 2004), Brian Lee (9th overall 2005), Thomas Hickey (4th overall 2007) or Keaton Ellerby (10th overall 2007).