Upside’s Chief Rankings Officer Eldon MacDonald has produced Top 10 Prospects lists for all 32 NHL teams as well as organizational rankings.

The criteria: Simple. The definition of a prospect is anybody that we thought was not on the team permanently at the time we produced the list (November 17, 2025).

The Vancouver Canucks prospect pool ranks 24th of 32 NHL teams. Stay tuned as we roll out all 32 teams Top 10 prospect rankings with a few honorable mentions. We’re keeping these posts brief and to the point.

November 2025

Vancouver’s pool is solid, led by a potential star winger and defensive depth.

Jonathan Lekkerimaki (RW) – 2022 1st round | Abbotsford (AHL)
Elite shooter and scorer. AHL production strong.
Upside: Top-line sniper

Tom Willander (D) – 2023 1st round | Abbotsford (AHL)
*Complete two-way RHD. Safe top-4 projection.*
Upside: Second-pair D

Braeden Cootes (C) – 2025 1st round | Seattle (WHL)
Two-way center. WHL production good.
Upside: Middle-6 C

Alexsei Medvedev (G) – 2025 2nd round | London (OHL)
Athletic Russian goalie. OHL starter.
Upside: NHL tandem

Kirill Kudyavtsev (D) – 2022 7th round | Abbotsford (AHL)
Puck-moving defenseman. AHL role player.
Upside: #5-6 D

Nikita Tolopilo (G) – FA | Abbotsford (AHL)
Massive goalie. AHL backup.
Upside: Depth goalie

Sawyer Mynio (D) – 2023 3rd round | Abbotsford (AHL)
Two-way defender. AHL rookie.
Upside: Depth D

Kieren Dervin (LW) – 2025 3rd round | Kingston (OHL)
Skilled OHL winger. Production solid.
Upside: Project forward

Riley Patterson (C) – 2024 4th round | Niagara (OHL)
Scoring center. OHL production strong.
Upside: Depth forward

Anthoni Romani (C) – 2024 6th round | Michigan State (NCAA)
Two-way center. NCAA role player.
Upside: Depth forward

HMs: Matt Lansing, Dmitri Klimovich, Ty Mueller

Vancouver Canucks Organizational Score: 16

How organizational ranking scores determined:

10 pts: 1st line, 1st pairing, starting goalie

7 pts: 2nd line, 2nd pairing

3 pts: 3rd line, 3rd pairing, backup goalie

1 pt: possible significant other given out haphazardly.

For all of our NHL Team Prospect Rankings, visit our dedicated page on Upside Hockey.

Upside Hockey.

Draft. Develop. Dominate.