While the Edmonton Oilers and other Canadian teams battle in the NHL playoffs, the Vancouver Canucks are focused on a different kind of competition: the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery. Scheduled for May 5, the lottery will determine the draft order for the teams that missed the playoffs, and the Canucks have the highest odds of winning the first overall pick at 25.5%. However, they also have a roughly 55.7% chance of dropping to third overall.
The Canucks finished the 2025-26 season in last place overall, with a disappointing 25-49-8 record. This marks the first time since 1971-72 that the team has finished last in the league. The team's struggles led to the firing of general manager Patrik Allvin in April. Despite the poor season, there's hope for the future, especially with the possibility of landing a top prospect in the upcoming draft.
Vancouver fans know all too well that the lottery balls have not historically fallen in their favor. This is the first time in the NHL Draft Lottery era that the Canucks have secured the best odds of drafting first overall. The team has been involved in 16 draft lotteries, dropping five times and standing pat on 11 occasions.
If the Canucks win the lottery, they would be the second Vancouver hockey team to earn a first-overall pick this year. The Vancouver Goldeneyes of the PWHL secured the top pick in their league's draft after their inaugural season. The NHL Draft Lottery will be broadcast live on May 5, allowing fans to follow along in real time.
