Canucks Secure Top Odds for 2026 NHL Draft After Loss to Wild

The Vancouver Canucks have officially locked in the worst record in the NHL for the 2025–26 season following a 5-2 defeat to the Minnesota Wild. This loss guarantees that the Canucks will enter the 2026 NHL Draft with the best odds for the coveted first overall pick.

With this result, the Canucks stand at a dismal 22–45–8, accumulating only 52 points over 75 games. Their playoff hopes were extinguished last week, and now they sit firmly at 32nd place in the league standings. The Calgary Flames and Chicago Blackhawks, positioned ahead of them with 70 and 68 points respectively, have established a point cushion that the Canucks can no longer overcome.

Throughout their 56-year history, the Canucks have never had the opportunity to select first overall in any NHL Entry Draft. They have, however, made eight selections within the top three, including notable players such as Daniel Sedin (2nd in 1999), Petr Nedved (2nd in 1990), and Trevor Linden (2nd in 1988).

The anticipation builds as the 2026 NHL Draft lottery is scheduled for May 5, with the draft itself taking place at KeyBank Centre in Buffalo. The first round will unfold on June 26, followed by rounds two through seven on June 27.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.