2018 NHL Draft: Report card grades for every team

DALLAS, TX - JUNE 22: Rasmus Dahlin of the Buffalo Sabres, Andrei Svechnikov of the Carolina Hurricanes and Jesperi Kotkaniemi of the Montreal Canadians pose for a picture of the 2018 NHL draft on June 22, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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DALLAS, TX – JUNE 22: Quinn Hughes poses after being selected seventh overall by the Vancouver Canucks during the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

Vancouver Canucks – B

First Round Pick: Quintin Hughes (D) (7)

There was a lot of high-end defensive talent in this draft. After Dahlin, the best defenseman in the draft is just the first name you pick out of a hat. There’s a lot to like about Hughes and his offensive game. He’s undersized at 5-foot-10 and 173 pounds, but he’s an elite skater and accurate passer. The Canucks need help in all areas, but defense was certainly their most pressing need. Getting a player like Hughes gives them, at worst, a number two defenseman for years to come.

Other Notable Picks: Jet Woo (D) (37), Tyler Madden (C) (68)

Extra credit to the Canucks for drafting a kid named Jet Woo. He not only had one of the best names in the draft, but he looks like A.C. Slater and Zack Morris had a kid. Those guys were known for their basketball skills, but I bet their kid would be a pretty good hockey player. Tyler Madden is the son of former NHLer John Madden, who was always a pain to play against due to his two-way skill. Tyler is cut from that same cloth, although may not have the scoring touch of his father.

The Canucks did fine. Nothing jumped out as being spectacular, but nothing stood at as being terrible. There’s nothing wrong with that. Hughes is going to be a great player for them and they got a couple of kids with some upside.

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