Canucks Conversation Mar. 18: Canucks win + who are the risers and fallers in the NHL Draft? ft. Scott Wheeler (ep. 983)
Mar 18, 2026
Scott Wheeler, NHL draft and prospect analyst for The Athletic, discusses risers and fallers in this year’s draft class. He breaks down breakout names, the McKenna vs Stenberg debate, why Chase Reed edges Verhoff, and shifting center stocks. Short takes on what makes this draft unpredictable and how Vancouver’s prospect pool stacks up.
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Young Defensemen Won The Game With Aggressive Pinches
- The Canucks' young defensemen stood out as key to the win against Florida with aggressive, puck-preserving play.
- Tomáš Tatar-style pinch examples included DPD's third-period aggressive pinch that kept a zone possession alive and led to a goal.
DPD's Edge Is A Playoff Asset
- DPD brings old-school edge and physicality that matters in playoff matchups against power forwards.
- Examples: drawing a slash from Matthew Kachuk, instigating scrums and standing up in net-front battles.
Pettersson's Confidence Fueled By Rossi's Playmaking
- Elias Pettersson's two power-play goals reflected growing confidence and increased willingness to shoot on narrow windows.
- Marco Rossi's left-half power-play vision helped tee up Pettersson and also showed Rossi's emerging playmaking role.