Scott Wheeler’s prospect pool rankings via Canucks News Summaries
March 26, 2026
Scott Wheeler’s prospect pool rankings via Canucks News Summaries
28 comments
Lekky not tier one. His progress has been underwhelming.
Interesting to see Romani so low. Cam Robinson has been quite high on him.
Also think that Willander is too smart and skilled to be only a No 3-4 defenseman.
So Buium isn’t considered a prospect but Lekki is?????
What scares me the most is we’ve struggled to see Lekkerimaki do much with the NHL time hes had and Cootes is still so young yet I hear fans project him as Captain, talk about him like he’s the next Linden or at least Horvat and expect the world of him.
Ohgren I actually think looks a lot better than Maki in the NHL. Plays with a lot more confidence thats for sure. Even if ‘his ceiling is lower’ based off prior history?
Willander and Buium are hopefully our future, I want them to turn into a top pairing we can relay on for years to come.
Not excited about our future when lekker is our best
Not sure this guy has watched Ohgren play much.
Wheeler is sleeping on Willander. Willy is only 21 and is already playing well in a prominent role on the worst team with the worst defensive system in the league. I could see him with Buium on the top pair for years to come. It also wouldn’t surprise me if Willy makes the Olympic Team for Sweden in 2030.
Hopefully this list looks a lot stronger after this year’s draft.
Lots to be excited about.
Buium as a first line D.
Willander as a second line D at a minimum, although I think he’s underrated and could land on the first line D.
Ohgren and Lekk as 2/3rd line tweeners.
Cootes as a 3C behind Rossi and Petey.
Mckenna as a first line winger and hopefully another roster player with the wild pick.
And we have JUST started the rebuild too, with another 2-3 years of tanking (hopefully) to follow.
It’s hard to put Lek in the same tier as Cootes and Willander just due to the injury concerns.
And IDK about you guys but Willander may be a #2-3 guy instead firmly a 2nd pairing guy
Scary that our prospects are also our top line players
Not very high on Lekk at all. I’d honestly put him at 5
This prospect report reads like we have the makings to replace exactly what we have, middle to low end talent. No top six forwards projections or top pairing dmen and no game breaking talent. I hope their assessment is wrong but I fear it’s probably pretty accurate. We may suck for awhile. Hopefully they knock this draft out of the park!
With a coach who can communicate in proper sentences and an actual strategy to employ, I think these prospects will take a big step forward next year.
No Mancini?
McStenHoeff, the late first and early second should really improve the farm too.
Hopefully they get the Russian goalie from London onto Abbotsford and pick up 1-2 NCAA FAs
The only game breaking “prospect”we potentially have right now is Buium
Willander will prob be that super valuable secondary piece every contender would die to have as the No3 D, but doesn’t look like he will be the main cast.
D-Petey lack of offensive upside means likely scenario for him is solid 3rd pair
We need to remember there’s nobody in the system that comes even close to Brock’s level from back then let alone to rookie Petey/Quinn
It’s hard to argue with any of these takes. I’d like to have the kool-aid drinking version, but realistically – this is probably accurate enough. This next draft is going to be HUGE for the future one way or the other.
Prince Albert season ticket holder here. Ive watched names like Draisaitl and Morrisey come through town, as well as more recent players like Parker Kelly, Alexi Protas, and Kaiden Guhle.
Here’s what I see in Cootes: I think his top end is 3rd line centre. He he has an NHL work ethic, and excels on the forecheck. Skates well, responsible defensively, and has a good wrist shot. However he doesn’t create offense in a way that projects to be a top 6 forward in the NHL. Above average as a playmaker at the WHL level, but only centre’s the 3rd line. Part of that is due to how stacked our team is, along with a system that priorities balance over stacking the lines, but it is what it is. Will he be a pro? Absolutely, but I would be truly surprised if he ends up being a 1 or 2 C.
Just thought I’d share my observations.
I’ve got 2 words for you and Mark my words. JACK THOMPSON. KID IS A STUD. check him out if u don’t know
It’s absolutely amazing Canucks got a tier 2 prospect from the Wild trade. Like, he is no throw-in. Ohgren is easily a guy who can be a top 9 player for us in the future. That’s pretty awesome scouting from the Canucks!
Now if we can unite him with Lekkerimaki and maybe even acquire the 3rd guy…
I hope another team likes Lekk that much and offers us something decent.
I’m curious as to why Buium is not included. It’s not like he’s played significantly more NHL games than Willander. Seems a bit weird to me.
Sad we have no sure-things coming in the top 6…
Why does this look like it was written up by my Grade 7 teacher?
Haven’t been able to watch too many games in depth this season. Can somebody fill me in on Buium? The handful of games I’ve watched, he didn’t really stand out too much but everybody is saying this guy is next level.
28 comments
Lekky not tier one. His progress has been underwhelming.
Interesting to see Romani so low. Cam Robinson has been quite high on him.
Also think that Willander is too smart and skilled to be only a No 3-4 defenseman.
So Buium isn’t considered a prospect but Lekki is?????
What scares me the most is we’ve struggled to see Lekkerimaki do much with the NHL time hes had and Cootes is still so young yet I hear fans project him as Captain, talk about him like he’s the next Linden or at least Horvat and expect the world of him.
Ohgren I actually think looks a lot better than Maki in the NHL. Plays with a lot more confidence thats for sure. Even if ‘his ceiling is lower’ based off prior history?
Willander and Buium are hopefully our future, I want them to turn into a top pairing we can relay on for years to come.
Not excited about our future when lekker is our best
Not sure this guy has watched Ohgren play much.
Wheeler is sleeping on Willander. Willy is only 21 and is already playing well in a prominent role on the worst team with the worst defensive system in the league. I could see him with Buium on the top pair for years to come. It also wouldn’t surprise me if Willy makes the Olympic Team for Sweden in 2030.
My rankings:
1. Cootes
2. Willander
3. Ohgren
4. D-Petey
5. Lekkerimaki
Hopefully this list looks a lot stronger after this year’s draft.
Lots to be excited about.
Buium as a first line D.
Willander as a second line D at a minimum, although I think he’s underrated and could land on the first line D.
Ohgren and Lekk as 2/3rd line tweeners.
Cootes as a 3C behind Rossi and Petey.
Mckenna as a first line winger and hopefully another roster player with the wild pick.
And we have JUST started the rebuild too, with another 2-3 years of tanking (hopefully) to follow.
It’s hard to put Lek in the same tier as Cootes and Willander just due to the injury concerns.
And IDK about you guys but Willander may be a #2-3 guy instead firmly a 2nd pairing guy
Scary that our prospects are also our top line players
Not very high on Lekk at all. I’d honestly put him at 5
This prospect report reads like we have the makings to replace exactly what we have, middle to low end talent. No top six forwards projections or top pairing dmen and no game breaking talent. I hope their assessment is wrong but I fear it’s probably pretty accurate. We may suck for awhile. Hopefully they knock this draft out of the park!
With a coach who can communicate in proper sentences and an actual strategy to employ, I think these prospects will take a big step forward next year.
No Mancini?
McStenHoeff, the late first and early second should really improve the farm too.
Hopefully they get the Russian goalie from London onto Abbotsford and pick up 1-2 NCAA FAs
The only game breaking “prospect”we potentially have right now is Buium
Willander will prob be that super valuable secondary piece every contender would die to have as the No3 D, but doesn’t look like he will be the main cast.
D-Petey lack of offensive upside means likely scenario for him is solid 3rd pair
We need to remember there’s nobody in the system that comes even close to Brock’s level from back then let alone to rookie Petey/Quinn
It’s hard to argue with any of these takes. I’d like to have the kool-aid drinking version, but realistically – this is probably accurate enough. This next draft is going to be HUGE for the future one way or the other.
Prince Albert season ticket holder here. Ive watched names like Draisaitl and Morrisey come through town, as well as more recent players like Parker Kelly, Alexi Protas, and Kaiden Guhle.
Here’s what I see in Cootes: I think his top end is 3rd line centre. He he has an NHL work ethic, and excels on the forecheck. Skates well, responsible defensively, and has a good wrist shot. However he doesn’t create offense in a way that projects to be a top 6 forward in the NHL. Above average as a playmaker at the WHL level, but only centre’s the 3rd line. Part of that is due to how stacked our team is, along with a system that priorities balance over stacking the lines, but it is what it is. Will he be a pro? Absolutely, but I would be truly surprised if he ends up being a 1 or 2 C.
Just thought I’d share my observations.
I’ve got 2 words for you and Mark my words. JACK THOMPSON. KID IS A STUD. check him out if u don’t know
It’s absolutely amazing Canucks got a tier 2 prospect from the Wild trade. Like, he is no throw-in. Ohgren is easily a guy who can be a top 9 player for us in the future. That’s pretty awesome scouting from the Canucks!
Now if we can unite him with Lekkerimaki and maybe even acquire the 3rd guy…
I hope another team likes Lekk that much and offers us something decent.
I’m curious as to why Buium is not included. It’s not like he’s played significantly more NHL games than Willander. Seems a bit weird to me.
Sad we have no sure-things coming in the top 6…
Why does this look like it was written up by my Grade 7 teacher?
Haven’t been able to watch too many games in depth this season. Can somebody fill me in on Buium? The handful of games I’ve watched, he didn’t really stand out too much but everybody is saying this guy is next level.
My ranking:
1. Willander
2. Cootes
3. Ohgren
4. D-Petey
5. Lekkerimaki
6. Pattersson
7. Kudryavtsev
8. Medvedev
9. Romani
10. Mynio