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The Vancouver Canucks didn't have much left to win as their brutal 2025-26 season wound down.
On Thursday night, though, they ensured one final sort of victory.
The Canucks have clinched 32nd place in the NHL, the worst record this season. And with that, they've clinched the best odds in the 2026 NHL Draft lottery system.
With that spot comes a 25.5% chance at picking No. 1 overall when the draft arrives.
Vancouver has never had the first pick in its franchise history.
Clearly, it's not guaranteed even now, with the Canucks essentially having a 1-in-4 chance of picking in that slot.
The good news for Vancouver is that having the worst record means that no matter what happens in the lottery, the Canucks cannot pick lower than third.
In addition to that 25.5% chance at the first pick, they have an 18.8% chance at the second pick and a 55.7% chance at the third pick.
It's a great draft to have this spot in, as their are players worthy of the No. 1 spot but also multiple that hockey analysts consider to be near the top of the board, so even if the Canucks fall a spot or two, they can get a really good player.
The first pick would still be the most exciting, though. For most of the last two years, Gavin McKenna was viewed for that spot, and while he has competition now, he could still be chosen first out of Penn State.
Whatever Vancouver does, the hope will be that it sparks a turnaround. The Canucks' fanbase surely doesn't want to continue down this path of struggle for too much longer.
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