Welcome back to WDYTT, the only hockey column on the internet that doesn’t ragrat turning down a proofreader.

Speaking of regrets, we’ve all got them, and so, too, do the Vancouver Canucks. Times are about as good as they’ve ever been, but that doesn’t mean living in a perfect timeline. Things could have always gone better, and today we are giving you the opportunity to rewrite some key history.

There are always certain players that fans miss after they’ve left a team. Whether it’s ‘the one who got away’ or just someone who moved on via free agency, there are definitely some players who Canucks supporters didn’t want to see leave in the first place and/or would love to have back.

It’s a common hockey hypothetical that actually holds some additional relevance for this current edition of the Vancouver Canucks. With the contention window now seemingly open, one could make the argument that the Canucks are only a couple of pieces – or perhaps one really good piece – away form being true, capital-‘C, genuine Contenders.

What we’re asking you today is to scour the past of the Canucks to see if that one really good piece might just be someone they already had their hands on once before.

It’s not about hindsight. Okay, maybe it’s a little about hindsight. But while a pessimist might look at this question and feel nothing but those aforementioned regrets, and optimist could look at it and say, “Wow, the Canucks really are closer to glory than I previously thought.”
After all, if the Canucks are just one really good piece from contending, and that one really good piece happens to be something they’ve had before…doesn’t that say a lot about their ongoing potential?

In any case, optimist or pessimist, we’ll take your responses all the same.

This week, we’re asking:

Let it be known in the comment section.

You answered below!

Jake DeBrusk is the player I will be watching. The Pettersson line was completely ineffective in the playoffs last season and it probably cost the team the series against Edmonton.

I’m really hoping DeBrusk awakens that first line and gets Pettersson going again.

Tough question. I’m very intrigued to see play all five of the signed roster players. Probably most exciting is having DeBrusk add some offensive punch to the top-six. He won’t have much trouble exceeding Mikheyev’s production.

Not as exciting, but even more critical is having Desharnais and Forbort play effectively on D. Replacing Cole and Zadorov is a tall order. Pun intended.

Sherwood, because he has the ability to change the narrative about the Canucks, giving them a fourth line which causes havoc, along with the other lines which are hard to play against.

In a game where the team comes out flat, he can put some life back into the lineup with a hard-hitting shift and get them going. The missing spice in the recipe.

I am looking forward to seeing the new player with the new contract that will be wearing number 40 this season. Many keep saying he will be able to up his game and has potential to be a game breaker… even better than MacKinnon. This new player who is projected to provide consistent 5-on-5 offense, be deadly on the powerplay and will give opposing defenders and goalies nightmares. He is said to be able to blast past opponents with blazing speed and has the power in his shot to rip through the twine.

I am very much looking forward to seeing this guy play.

I’m excited about all the new forwards, but especially Sherwood. When GM Allvin name-checks you in a press conference, you know that you’ve done a super effective job at being a pest. I’m sure that guys like Hughes and Hronek are thrilled to not having to face him again in a playoff situation. Every team needs a feisty agitator or two, and he looks to fit the bill.

Heinen and Sherwood.

To me, Jake DeBrusk is the player I am most excited to see play as a Canuck. He seems to have all the qualities I appreciate in a top-six forward. He has speed and skill. He has an offensive touch and is defensively sound. He can play PP and PK. We’ll see if our coaching staff can improve his consistency, which seems to be his only flaw. I have a preference for speedy players, of which the Canucks do not have enough, so I think he’ll become a personal favourite of mine.

Heinen is a player I can hardly wait to see in a Canuck uniform. Another BC kid coming home to play. He has worked his ass off to improve his game and to get a spot to play in the NHL.

If Joshua and Garland remain on the third line, the newest signings will give the Canucks a pretty tough fourth line that love to hit.

Based on my writing, you’d probably assume the answer was Vincent Desharnais, and that’s probably true. I’m bullish on this player’s potential.

But for a curveball answer, let’s throw out Jonathan Lekkerimäki. He’s not new to the organization, but newly-signed and newly-arrived-in-North-America as of last season’s late cameo.

It’s been a while since the Canucks have had a rookie to get excited about, barring Arturs Silovs’ playoff heroics. Who was the last one to come in and make a major impact? A 37-year-old Andrei Kuzmenko? Nils Höglander, only to get cut the next year?

If he hits right, Lekkerimäki will be the most exciting rookie since the days of Pettersson and Hughes. It might not be right away, and it might not even be this year. But if/when it happens, it’ll be satisfying to see homegrown talent flourish again.