The Vancouver Canucks used their first-round draft pick on Friday to acquire a player intended to address critical needs for leadership and a top-six center. However, the selected player, Braeden Cootes, is not expected to immediately fill these roles for the upcoming season, likely requiring three or four years of development.
For two months leading up to the draft, the Canucks had actively explored trading their pick in an attempt to acquire a top-six center who could help mitigate the void left by J.T. Miller`s departure last season. Their efforts were ultimately unsuccessful, largely due to market dynamics influenced by the escalating salary cap. Consequently, they held onto the 15th overall selection in the National Hockey League Draft and used it to select Braeden Cootes, the captain of the Seattle Thunderbirds.
At 18 years old, Cootes is the youngest captain in the Western Hockey League. His selection instantly elevates him to one of Vancouver’s most promising forward prospects. He is potentially ranked second only to Jonathan Lekkerimaki, the 2022 first-round winger who split the previous season playing for both the Canucks and their American Hockey League team, which won the Calder Cup.
Reflecting on being drafted by Vancouver, Cootes commented:
“I mean, today’s obviously my last day being an Oilers fan. But yeah, you know, I liked the Canucks. They’re a team that I love watching. I love watching Quinn Hughes play, J.T Miller when he was there. Obviously, it’s pretty cool now being a Vancouver Canuck, so close to home as well. And being on the West Coast is awesome.”
Neville Woodall 
Duncan Priestley