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Slick Swedish push-mover Adam Boqvist was slotted fifth at mid-season, but could slip to as low as 10th on draft day. Hughes was rated sixth and could go fifth, top OHL scoring defender Evan Bouchard was seventh and could go sixth, while Dobson was rated eighth and has had the most pre-draft buzz.

In his first playoff experience as a QMJHL rookie two seasons ago, Dobson’s defensive game and confidence level took off. In the second round, he got the call to shut down hulking centre Pierre-Luc Dubois — now a mainstay with the Columbus Blue Jackets — and held him to four goals in a seven-game triumph.

“That really taught me how important your stick work is,” the 6-3, 180-pound Dobson told Postmedia News. “You may not be the biggest or most physical guy and throwing the big hit, but having a good stick and being in the right position at the right time really helped my defensive game.

“A little bit of that is your hockey sense and a little bit is having a great coach in minor hockey who was always thinking the game. Learning how to think at a young age really helped me in going through the ranks. If you can think one play ahead, that really helps you.”

Thinking far ahead separates good NHL scouts from average talent evaluators. And this draft could get interesting if the Detroit Red Wings are so sweet on Hughes that they move up a spot and swap picks with the Arizona Coyotes, who could either pick Bouchard or Dobson.

The Canucks have been the subject of trade rumours for immediate roster help, but it would take a lot to part with the pick and any add-ons in any significant deal. And if they’re thinking of trading down to add a selection, there are other targets to consider, and they may want to add a centre with the retirement of Henrik Sedin.