Welcome back to WDYTT, the only hockey column on the internet that doesn’t talk about practice.

Speaking of practice, it sounds as though Vancouver Canucks practices are going to continue to be ran by Bruce Boudreau for at least the length of the 2022/23 season, because both he and the team have announced their intention to have him return as head coach.

It’s a piece of news that was generally expected, but still uncertain enough to elicit a few sighs of relief when it was finally confirmed. It’s a piece of news that is being almost universally celebrated in Vancouver, because in one half-season thus far, Boudreau has already endeared himself to the fanbase and the local mediasphere.

Don’t believe us? Let Rogers Arena tell you the next time the Canucks are up by a few goals.

But while Bruce might be where it is right now, he’s far from the only coach to win over the hearts of the Canucks faithful. There have been some real personalities behind the bench over the decades, and we mean that in every sense of the word “personality.”

Laycoe. Kurtenbach. Neale. Neilson. Quinn. Keenan. Crawford. Vigneault. Tortorella. Green.

The Canucks have definitely had some colourful individuals in charge throughout their colourful team history.

Today, we’re asking you:

Let it be known in the comment section.

Last week, we asked:

You answered below!

I rarely watch playoffs unless Canucks are there. I may catch a highlight or bits of a game, but I rarely watch an entire game or series. I was tired of watching the even worse ‘officiating’ and watching the ‘let ’em play’ stupidity. The game changes so much due to the Game Managers when it comes to playoffs vs. regular season.

I will say it sounds like the ‘refs’ are actually making calls this year, so maybe I’ll tune in. I am not cheering for any team and don’t really care who wins. I guess I will say anyone but the Leaves.

Anyone but Toronto.

Burnabybob:
Never thought I would say this, but I’m cheering for the Rangers. I’ve lived in New York for over 20 years, and the Isles and Rangers have become my ‘backup’ teams.

To me it has to be the Tampa Bay Lightning; not just because they are playing the Leafs. It has been a long time since a team won three Cups in a row. It is something that great teams failed to do; like the 90’s Red Wings, 90’s Penguins, 80’s Oilers, etc. I have vivid memories of the last two triple Cup winners; Islanders and Canadiens. Those were special times. Even though they were not my teams, and even though I rooted against the Islanders in ‘82, those were amazing teams to watch. I want to watch one more dynasty at a time when people think it isn’t possible. It reminds me of following the Triple-Crown being attained after a 37-year drought.

Playoffs? The season ended the moment the lights went out on the Canucks season. I might watch here and there if nothing else is going on, but I simply cannot bring myself to cheer for any other team.

PS: If push comes to shove, I will cheer for any team playing against the Leaves.

Flames! Tanev deserves a Cup.

I hope all the Canadian teams do well, even the three I dislike the most, which funnily enough are the three playing now. Cheer for them? Nope, I cheer for the home team and hopefully that will start next year.

Anyone but Canada. The rest of the country cheered for Boston in 2011. Never forget!

Cheering for Eddy!

Los Angeles Kings! Eagle and Troy from Richmond are both class acts, and didn’t sign as free agents with the hated Flames.

I am a poor sport, so won’t cheer for any team hoping they will win the Cup. But I do cheer for those who are playing Calgary, Edmonton, and Toronto. Once those three teams are out of the playoffs, I will be satisfied and will get ready for the Canucks next season.

I’m cheering for both Alberta teams to get knocked out first round.

For the most part, I will cheer for the underdogs, unless it’s the Leafs or Oilers (as I will never cheer for those two).

For LA to beat Edmonton.

With all of those first round picks, McDavid, and Evander Kane… they can choke on another 1st round loss. Add the Nurse head-butt to the face of Danault – what a piece of trash. He only received a one-game suspension when he should be done for the season and some of next season. A definite intent to injure.

Happy MONT, VGK, and PHIL never even made the playoffs. Having said that, anyone but the Oilers, Leafs, and Bruins for long historic reasons will suffice, except maybe NYR. Just want to watch great hockey like any true fan does.

I’m cheering for Calgary this year. They have a few former Canucks that I would like to see win it all. It has been a long time since a Canadian team has won the Stanley Cup, and I hope this year is the year for Calgary.

I’m kind of cheering for Edmonton, but it befuddles me how they can have two of the top scorers in the league in McDavid and Draisaitl and struggle to get out of the first round.

I’m cheering for the Leafs to win three games in the first round and then blow it all by losing Game 7. I take a perverse delight in seeing them knocked out in the first round every year, and getting so close each time. Maybe if they were not the Centre of the Universe when it came to hockey, I’d feel different but I don’t.

If I’m choosing an American team to cheer for then it would be Florida Panthers or maybe Minnesota Wild. I’ll never cheer for Boston.

Go Kings! Reasons:

-The Oilers are fated never to win the prize as just desserts for tanking for the draft lottery;

-The Oilers are an example of a whole that is less than the sum of its parts. A few stars and a bunch of other guys filling out the roster. Canucks were there early this season, but are changing it. The Oilers cannot afford to change it;

-I hate the Oilers;

-I like Troy.

Our organization has a rather unique format for our playoff pool. I have players from the Avs, Flames, Rangers, and Panthers, This of course means cheering against the Oilers and Leafs, a necessity I find very easy to follow.

I cheer for the Canadian teams when the Canucks are not competing in the playoffs. I have done so all my life, and I am sick of U.S. teams winning the Stanley Cup. I don’t really get Canucks’ fans’ hatred for Canadian rivals when the Canucks are not playing them. I am originally from Edmonton, so I am most committed to the Oilers, although I’d like to see all of Calgary, Edmonton, and Toronto ‘get over the hump’ and get out of the 1st round.

I was cheering for Nashville, ‘cause I like their team, but now they are gone, so probably the Rangers…other than Reaves that is.

Toronto, so they stop talking about 1967 as if all other hockey in Canada hasn’t mattered since.

Calgary, but before the Wild got eliminated, I was cheering for them. I just think Markstrom and Tanev deserve a Cup. But if not Calgary, then Pittsburgh.

Can’t help but cheer for Tampa. Three in a row would be epic to see as a hockey fan.

Go Tampa! Get the 3-peat. It’s been too long since the NHL has had a dynasty team.