Canucks Mock Draft 2.0: Eyeing a Future Brock Boeser Replacement
The Vancouver Canucks are preparing for the 2025 NHL Draft with the 15th overall pick and could use reinforcements at every forward position. While the top-tier talent may be off the board by their selection, there’s still plenty of intriguing depth—especially on the wings.
At center, the draft pool doesn’t appear particularly deep, but wing prospects offer more upside. Vancouver, aside from Jonathan Lekkerimäki, lacks forward prospects with clear NHL potential, making this draft an opportunity to bolster their pipeline—especially while Elias Pettersson and Filip Chytil still anchor the center position.
With the 15th overall selection, the Vancouver Canucks choose:
Benjamin Kindel, RW, Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
In the first version of this mock draft, the Canucks were projected to take Cole Reschny, a versatile forward with strong two-way abilities and the flexibility to play multiple positions. However, this updated mock draft favors upside, spotlighting Kindel as a dynamic offensive winger with tremendous potential.
Kindel, 18, recently had a breakout season with the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen, putting up an impressive 35 goals, 64 assists, and 99 points in 65 games. He added another 15 points (eight goals, seven assists) in 11 playoff games, showcasing his ability to produce in high-stakes situations.
A native of Coquitlam, B.C., Kindel led all WHL draft-eligible forwards in scoring, beating out Reschny by seven points despite playing three more games. While Kindel didn’t lead in goals—Carter Bear and Cameron Schmidt each tallied 40—his strength lies in his creative and well-rounded offensive game.
Unlike Brock Boeser, who built his NHL reputation primarily on goal-scoring, Kindel offers more complete offensive versatility. He’s not the pure sniper Boeser was, but he brings a broader skillset and could become a top-six forward in the NHL with the right development and teammates around him.
Boeser’s scoring might be a bit overstated, as he only hit the 30-goal mark once—in the 2023–24 season when he scored 40 goals. Kindel, by contrast, offers the potential to contribute in many ways beyond just scoring, making him a valuable long-term investment.
Currently ranked anywhere between 11th and 27th on consolidated draft boards, Kindel is projected to still be available when the Canucks make their pick at 15. If so, he could be an ideal choice to help shape the next generation of Vancouver’s offense.
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