Welcome back to WDYTT, the only hockey column on the internet that is built on internet comments, and then rebuilt through a careful comment-editing process.

Speaking of rebuilds, uh, maybe we shouldn’t. It’s become a bit of a hot-button term in Vancouver of late, whether that be in some fans demanding a rebuild, or in Jim Rutherford denying the need for one, or in reality, gently countering Rutherford’s stated opinion.

Either way, the headlines coming out of this week are certainly blowing in a rebuild-y direction. There’s talk that the Vancouver Canucks are beginning to consider giving up on the 2025-26 season and starting to sell off their veteran pieces. That feels like a prelude to an eventual Quinn Hughes departure, and at that point, we’re on to a rebuild of some sort at the very least – no matter what they call it.

We’re not there yet. But we could be sooner rather than later, which makes this a fine time to consider the finer details of what such a scorched-earth approach might look like.

So, let’s imagine that it comes to pass. GM Patrik Allvin and Co. learn that Hughes is not re-signing, so they sell him off to the highest bidder, along with several other veteran pieces.

Our question, then, is not who goes, but who stays?

Surely, we will never see an absolute, down-to-the-floorboards, burn-it-down rebuild in Vancouver. Surely, at the very least, some veteran presence will be maintained throughout any upcoming youth movement.

So, who is that going to be? Or, more accurately, if it were up to you, dear reader, who would you keep in the organization?

This week, we’re asking:

Let it be known in the comment section.

You answered below!

Bains has faded fast after a decent start, Aman continues to be deep in the Sea of Scatchards or whatever someone else called them earlier this year, Patera looks like he’d do better fronting Pantera than holding the net for the Canucks. For me the most impressive graduates have been D-Petey, who is having a trial by fire alongside Willander but doesn’t look out of place, and Karlsson and Räty, who have quietly been solid. I think Sasson, when he’s had the chance to play, has impressed with his speed too. The problem is the fact that all of these Abby grads really are fringe-type players and unlikely to move much of a needle on their own. Maybe Lekkerimäki down the line, but the rest are not enough.

None of these guys have really blown me away but some of them have been pretty solid players for the Canucks.

Aman and Bains are near the bottom of my list, I haven’t seen much to say the belong in the NHL except out of necessity. We haven’t seen enough of Mancini or Lekkerimäki to really say right now.

Karlsson, Räty, D-Pety have all been solid contributors, each capable of playing a specific role on the team. Karlsson seems like he has good board work, Raty excels at faceoffs, and D-Petey is a dependable #5-6 d-man.

Most impressed though would be Sasson. He is a guy I can see becoming a Sherwood type of player who uses his speed well and can manufacture his own offense from that and come up with a timely goal now and again. More recently, Max has been used higher up in the lineup between more offensive minded players; this stretches his capacity a bit but he has looked ok in this role.

The Abby graduate who continues to impress the most is EP25.

Räty has impressed me the most. He’s good on faceoffs and makes a lot of nice plays that would give him more points if he had more skilled linemates. Most of all I don’t cringe when he gets hit. He looks like a solid DURABLE player.

Silovs, hands down.

I would say EP25 and Sasson have impressed me the most. I could see last year that EP25 was ready for prime time.

They’re all bottom-six tweeners.

EP25 is the easy choice cause Silovs wasn’t part of Allvin’s plan. Good trade by Dubas.

Aatu Räty has been quietly steady and fairly reliable as a bottom-six C. Given the injury bug and resulting roster upheaval that is not a small thing. Max Sasson has tremendous speed and is using it in combination with impressive tenacity to be quite noticeable and even effective more often than not. EP25 is still learning through playing and that means mistakes. Love his poise and maturity!!

Victor Mancini and Jonathan Lekkerimäki have been part of the IR parade, so have done little…would love to see Mancini getting much more ice time, Lekkerimäki needs much more seasoning to survive in the NHL.

Linus Karlsson, Arshdeep Bains, Nils Åman, and Jiri Patera are tweeners, roster filler, or whatever term you wish to use. None really help you or really hurt you on their own. If they are playing frequently…it’s just not a good sign.

Even though he only played a few games, Tom Willander has done really well. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if he skates opposite MP, dropping Myers down to EP2.

Willander (he did play in Abby for a brief stint). Continues to improve and will likely have the biggest impact on the Canucks amongst the Abby Canucks. EP25 is a close second, but has underperformed this season.

For me, it would be a split between Räty and Sasson, with Karlsson in close at second. Max with the right linemates is going to be a second or third liner in the NHL for sure, the guy is fast and creative. With more reps I think he just continues to develop, the sky is the limit for this guy.

Räty and Karlsson are solid bottom 6 guys that I think many teams would want and we are lucky to have them in Vancouver.

The performance of the farm team graduates has been exactly as expected. Maybe Sasson has exceeded expectations somewhat and Willander has come on quicker than expected. Lekkerimäki is hurt. Bains and Karlsson are borderline 4th liners and Raty is trying hard to be a serviceable 3rd line centre. EP 25 is a bit over his head but showing great promise. Mancini hasn’t been given the opportunity to show what he can do. Patera is a 4th string goalie. Too bad Tolopilo and Höglander have been hurt.

I would have to say Max Sasson has impressed me the most. He has NHL speed and an offensive touch that Räty, Karlsson, and Bains do not have. EP25 has been disappointing but is still young and developing. I don’t regard Willander as a Abbotsford ” graduate.” Lekkerimäki and Mancini have been injured and haven’t played much, so the jury is out on them.

Aatu Räty and Tom Willander, followed by Linus Karlsson and Max Sasson.

Lekkerimäki in his limited time has shown a shot that is the best on the team.

He gets his one-timers away faster and more accurately even when passes look less than ideal.

Unlike EP40, who needs a perfectly feathered pass into his “wheelhouse,” Lekkerimäki can hammer any puck he can get his stick on.

He is a Steve Stamkos-quality shooter.