The Vancouver Canucks, historically unlucky in the draft lottery, have a significant chance to finally secure the first overall pick in 2026. The NHL Draft Lottery will take place on May 5, 2026, in Secaucus, N.J.
As of early Tuesday, the Canucks hold an 18.5% chance of winning the first draw. They also have a 25.5% chance to pick first overall. This is a crucial moment for a franchise that has never picked first.
Teams can only move up a maximum of 10 spots in the lottery. The lottery involves 14 numbered ping-pong balls and 1,000 winning combinations.
Key statistics for the Vancouver Canucks:
- 18.5% chance of winning the first lottery draw
- 25.5% chance to pick first overall
- 55.7% chance to end up with the third-overall pick
Gavin McKenna is considered the favorite for the first overall pick, while Ivar Stenberg is a main challenger. The hype surrounding this lottery is high because landing McKenna could define the franchise’s future.
The Ottawa Senators are locked in with the 32nd-overall pick. Meanwhile, the Toronto Maple Leafs possess a protected top-five pick in this draft.
The lottery will be broadcast live on Sportsnet at 7 p.m. ET. Fans eagerly await what could be a transformative moment for their team.