As we continue our deep dive into the upcoming 2026 NHL Draft targets for the Vancouver Canucks, the focus shifts toward finding premium, game-breaking talent. Sitting with the 24th overall selection — acquired from the Minnesota Wild — as well as the 33rd overall pick, management finds itself in a prime position to capitalize on first-round talent that might fall due to the unpredictable nature of junior hockey.
Enter right-shot forward Mathis Preston. Standing at 5-foot-11 and weighing 176 pounds, the Vancouver Giants winger entered the current scouting cycle as a consensus top-10 prospect. However, an eight-week lower-body injury, combined with a mid-season blockbuster trade from the Spokane Chiefs to a transitioning Giants squad, introduced some volatility to his draft year.
Preston concluded his Western Hockey League (WHL) campaign with 18 goals and 44 points across 46 games. While those numbers caused his draft stock to settle into the late first-round range, his raw, foundational pedigree remains undeniable. For a team like the Canucks, he represents one of the highest-ceiling offensive options available on the board.
Scouting Report
Preston’s game is built around two high-end, modern NHL attributes: an elite release and explosive pace. Scouts routinely give his shot high marks, noting its exceptional mechanical efficiency, heavy power, and deceptive release point. When executing on the rush, he manages to change the angle of his blade effortlessly, causing genuine issues for opposing goaltenders. This particular goal-scoring profile has drawn stylistic comparisons to prime Phil Kessel and Cole Caufield.
Complementing that lethal release is high-end straight-line speed. Preston functions as a true pace-setter through the neutral zone, using quick lateral cuts and agility to back off opposing defenders. When he gains the blue line, his soft hands allow him to execute intricate plays at maximum velocity. Stylistically, his ability to manipulate space and drive transitional offence echoes elements of William Nylander’s offensive toolkit.
Furthermore, Preston brings a distinct emotional edge to the ice. He plays with an observable swagger, routinely getting under the skin of opponents and showing a willingness to absorb physical contact along the wall to extend a sequence. He has also built a reputation as a big-game performer, stepping up on the international stage. He was an impact player for Team Canada at both the Hlinka Gretzky Cup — scoring a crucial game-tying goal in the semi-finals against the United States — and the Under-18 World Championship.
The primary concerns in Preston’s profile center on off-puck consistency and detail. His defensive-zone awareness requires significant refinement; there are stretches where his positioning lapses, rendering him a non-factor in his own end. Additionally, his puck management can occasionally tilt toward over-handling. In an effort to generate highlight-reel sequences, he will sometimes force blind passes into high-coverage areas rather than opting for the simpler, low-risk play. When his offensive timing is slightly off, these habits can lead to quiet stretches where he struggles to impact the game positively for his linemates.
What Others Are Saying
“Preston has star upside, and every time I hear him speak and play hockey, I still see a potential regen of William Nylander there. The skill, speed, confidence, dual-threat offensive output, dominance of the neutral zone offensively, and underrated competitive nature are things to bet on to say the least.”
Will Scouch, Scouching.ca
“Over the course of the season, however, Preston has returned to earth, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t still an intriguing prospect with a lot of skill. He is a speedy forward with a highly active stick who uses it to break up plays and create turnovers, has plenty of creativity, and hustles on the backcheck.”
Dayton Reimer, The Hockey Writers
“When he’s at his best, he’s an absolute speed demon on the ice as he displays great foot speed, agility and deceptive movement. He’s tough to contain as he can get out of trouble and cut to the middle easily. However, when he isn’t going, that’s when the lulls come as he struggles to produce and create opportunities, as he’s more of a finisher than a creator.”
Peter Baracchini, The Hockey Writers
Fit in the Canucks’ Prospect Pool
The Canucks’ current pipeline features several projectable, hard-working depth prospects, but it remains noticeably thin on elite, dynamic offensive talent. The system simply lacks game-breaking creators who can single-handedly alter the geometry of an offensive zone possession or terrorize penalty kills from the flank.
Preston would immediately become the most dynamic forward prospect in the organization. His presence as a right-shot winger with high-end speed satisfies a long-term organizational need. Conveniently, because he spent the latter half of his season playing locally for the Giants, the Canucks’ front office and local scouting staff have had the opportunity to live-scout his habits, developmental growth, and character up close.
Should the Canucks Draft Him?
If Preston is sitting on the board at 24th overall, the Canucks should absolutely make the call.
Drafting in the late first round requires balancing risk against potential reward. Teams often fall into the trap of selecting safe, high-floor players who project strictly as bottom-six checkers. However, now entering a rebuild, the Canucks need to prioritize hitting a home run.
Preston provides that exact opportunity. His defensive deficiencies and occasional lack of consistency are entirely correctable under a structured professional development staff. You can teach a young player how to track back through the neutral zone or hold a defensive wall; you cannot teach the biological acceleration, lateral hands, and pure scoring instincts that Preston possesses naturally. Landing a player with top-10 talent in the late 20s is how smart front offices extend their competitive windows. Preston represents the exact type of high-upside gamble the Canucks need to take.
AI tools were used to support the creation or distribution of this content, however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of The Hockey Writers editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our Editorial Standards page.
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