Welcome back to WDYTT, the only hockey column on the internet to always deliver both what you need and what you want, with apologies to the Rolling Stones.

Speaking of what you want, let’s go ahead and assume that nobody got the 2024/25 season they wanted for the Vancouver Canucks. If there was a theme to this year, it was probably ‘disappointment.’ It might have even been ‘strife.’

But the good thing about seasons is that they eventually end, and that, usually, they’re followed by another one.

We might be a bit early in pronouncing the demise of the 2024/25 campaign, writing these words on a Tuesday morning with the Canucks still technically in the race. But we’ve got a feeling that, by the time you’re reading this, it’s even more ‘over.’ And what better time to assess one’s overall feelings about the season that has been, and see how we feel about which of those feelings are going to transfer over in 2025/26.

There are many reasons to hope that next year will be better. At the same time, the Canucks have also done a lot to shake their fans’ faith in them this year. It’s probably fair to assume that the optimism levels are diminished heading into this offseason compared to where they were heading into the Summer of 2025. And that’s only natural. But how diminished are they?

To find out, we ask you to turn your gaze toward the 2025/26 season to come, and ask yourself an important internal question, using whatever criteria to answer as you see fit.

This week, we’re asking:

Let it be known in the comment section.

You answered below!

The Canucks have a lot of character players on their roster and any one of them has the ability and determination to step it up on any given night. But Demko has stepped up more than the rest. He is a presence in the room and he gives the team more confidence, as well as a better chance of winning when he is in goal.

The Wild have cooled down of late. Could the Canucks catch them? The Nucks will pretty much have to run the table (drop a game or two at the most) to get into the postseason. Given the run of injuries, it’s a gargantuan ask. Despite the near impossible odds, Quinn Hughes looks like he’s really trying to put the team on his back and carry them into the playoffs. His teammates are certainly picking up on his inspirational play. And Thatcher the Snatcher might steal enough games to give the fans hope. LA sneaked into the playoffs one year, barely making the 8th seed, and went on to win the SC, to everyone’s surprise. So, I’m saying there’s a chance (in more than a Dumb and Dumber sense). Petey coming back and playing like he did in the first ten games of his NHL career (10 goals in 10 games), will certainly be a prerequisite. Hogey playing like his 24-goal version will help. And Phil-Chill putting icing on the cake with a pivotal OT winner would be like so many “ifs” it’s hard to believe. And yet, here I am, longsuffering fan since 1970, still hoping to see one Canucks Holy Grail before I die.

Quinn Hughes. His leadership is getting stronger each game. It has inspired the rest of them

I really like defenseman Elias Pettersson’s game. He’ll become a top-four guy on this team, I think.

Sherwood is a lot of fun to watch. A record setter! I think he is underrated, his contribution is unique and needed.

Pew Pew Suter. What a legend, massively stepping up.

The “Abby Mafia” will bring this ship to port, thus two rats have jumped ship ;).

Demko has definitely shown up. Just two games, but he’s looking very good. Myers and Forbort have also. It’s very rare when Hughes doesn’t show up. He is their MVP. Pius Suter has been really good too.

They are now standing up for each other, something that hasn’t happened this season.

With Miller gone and Petey and Chytil injured, I’d say Pius Suter’s contributions have been notable at centre. He’s a 3rd line centre playing 1C credibly.

Hughes is the most important player on the team and is still fighting injuries but he seems to be skating faster and logging more time on ice than normal in this playoff hunt. Even given some recent defensive lapses (injuries and fatigue?), I’d say he’s “stepped up” his play the most.