Now that we’ve concluded our Top 20 prospects within the organization for this summer, it’s time to take a look at some of players that just missed the cut in making the final Top 20.

The following five players all received at least one vote in the top 20, but ultimately were passed by players who had higher upside, were more sure bets or were younger.

There is still a possibility that these five could have good seasons next year, and in part due to some graduation, move up into the Top 20 next season.

#25 – Brett McKenzie

The Canucks last pick of the 2016 NHL entry draft comes in as the 25th best prospect in our consensus rankings. Brett McKenzie received one 20th place vote in our rankings – this is likely because the North Bay Battalion forward doesn’t seem to have a high offensive ceiling and thus if he makes it, he would top out as a fourth line centre and defensive specialist.

With that being said, using pGPS, an impressive 16.7% of McKenzie’s matches went onto being NHL regulars, so there is no denying the value bet the Canucks made with the 194th overall pick.

McKenzie has the size, speed and hockey IQ to make it at the next level, and then if all goes according to optimistic planning, he could develop into a bottom six centre option. First, McKenzie will look to build off his impressive D+1 season and be an offensive leader for the Battalion.

There isn’t much to dislike about the Canucks taking McKenzie, he merely fell out of the Top 20 due to a potentially low ceiling. He will be a player to keep an eye on in Penticton in a few short weeks.

#24 – William Lockwood

The Canucks selected William Lockwood with their third round pick this past draft, and the criticism surrounding the pick was that Lockwood’s upside is low compared to the players that were available. That said, there are times where players have the underlying tools and the offence follows. A perfect example of this, is 2015 5th round pick Adam Gaudette.

That development of offence may be starting to show as Lockwood was impressive at the U18’s, posting 7 points in 7 games for the United States. During the press conference following the second day of the draft, I asked President of Hockey Operations Trevor Linden if that offensive production caught their eye and if it’s a sign of thing to come. He did mention that Lockwood’s performance at the U18 wasn’t the final piece of the puzzle, adding that it was just part of the information collection. They felt that he did have more offence to give and had hopes that the U18 were are a sign of things to come.

Regardless, Lockwood seems to have all the right tools to make it as a bottom six forward who can help push the pace of the play, be responsible defensively, while chipping in a little bit offensively.

Lockwood falling out the Top 20 is mostly attributed to the unknowns of his game, as well as the uncertainty of his ceiling. Lockwood is committed to the University of Michigan next season.

#23 – Michael Garteig

The ‘other’ new goalie to the Canucks organization comes in as the 23rd ranked prospect. Garteig actually received the highest single placing of any of these five players, with a 14th place vote from one of our contributors.

Garteig had an extremely impressive senior year at Quinnipiac, taking a fairly unheralded team all the way to the NCAA Championship game, before losing to powerhouse North Dakota and the CBS line. Garteig has shown a track record of improving year over year all the way back to his BCHL days. But unfortunately that’s part of the problem, as Garteig will be turning 25 in the early parts of the 2016-17 season.

If he can quickly adapt to the pro game, there is a chance that he could ascend up the ranks and be in the conversation as the #3 goalie at the start of the 2017-18 season. A lot would have to go right, and he would have to leapfrog some others – but it’s possible.

#22 – Michael Zalewski

Another former NCAA UFA, Zalewski occupies our 22nd prospect spot.

Zalewski had a rough 2014-15 season, to the point where the Canucks did not tender him a qualifying offer. But he did sign an AHL contract, and showed very well over the 2015-16 season. The Canucks then signed Zalewski to an NHL contact in January and recalled him, where he appeared in three games before heading back to the farm.

Simply, he wasn’t a prospect but played himself back into the conversation. He could very easily earn a call up or two this season but likely doesn’t project into a long term option for the organization.

#21 – Jakob Stuckel

The former Vancouver Giant, Jakob Stukel is an interesting prospect after being passed over in his first year of draft eligibility and then selected in this year’s past draft in the sixth round.

The Surrey, B.C. native had suffered an injury during his draft year which resulted in him being unable to work on his conditioning or strength. This led to him having an un impressive year with the Giants in 2014-15, and subsequently led to him being dealt to the Calgary Hitmen twelve games into the 2015-16 season. Shortly after the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, I spoke with Aynsley Scott, who is the producer of Hockey Prospect Radio on Sirius NHL Network, about Stukel:

Quick skater, who has good two step quickness. He’s becoming a more a physical player as he becomes more adjusted to the WHL. He missed about 18 months with a torn ACL, which came at a crucial time of his development, which is why he was passed over last year. This also resulted in Stukel always seeming to be behind in conditioning. He would go out there and skate hard for 30 seconds, but then would be exhausted. There may be something here, but we will see next season.

Stukel had an impressive showing with the Hitmen, posting 34 goals in 57 games there. His 36 goals combined had finish the season as 17th amongst WHL scorers. This upcoming season will be crucial for his development to see if he can sustain the success he saw. He has the speed, shot and skill to develop into a middle six scorer.

I had Stukel the highest ranked, as the 16th best prospect within the organization.

All five of these players are likely long shots to make it to the NHL, but they all do have a chance of putting it together and making it.

It will be interesting to see Stukel, Garteig and McKenzie in Penticton for the Young Star, and see how they handle playing against some of the best prospects from other teams. (Zalewski likely won’t attend due to pro game experience, and Lockwood won’t be there due to NCAA rules)