Welcome back to WDYTT, the only hockey column on the internet that places its readers on the cusp of greatness.

Speaking of cusps, we’ve made it. As you read these words, the Vancouver Canucks are either on the cusp of finishing their exhibition schedule or ‘just cusped,’ and that means we’re definitely on the cusp of starting the 2024/25 regular season.

Which, even if you’ve only bought into the hype a little, promises to be one for the ages.

Very few predicted the success that the Canucks experienced last year. And those that did were probably just guessing lucky. Call them underdogs, dark horses, or a Cinderella story. Any way you slice it, the Canucks beat out all expectations last year…which naturally translates into even greater expectations for this coming campaign.

Will Rick Tocchet’s team be up to the challenge?

So far, partway through the exhibition schedule, things are looking relatively positive. But it’s a long haul from early October to April of 2025, when the playoffs are scheduled to commence. And a lot can happen between now and then.

Of course, this is where we typically turn to you to prognosticate.

We tend to ask this question every year, and we can only really ask it at this point, with the standings board fresh and clean and a full slate of 82 games left to be played.

This week, we’re asking you:

Let it be known in the comment section.

You answered below!

I think Sprong has only played one game but he’s my choice. He made that one play that tied the Flame game and that was a special play. If he does that a few times in the regular season, it translates into points and that’s what you need. I still say he could end up being the best signing of the summer. Hronek has been good and so have Hogz, Silovs, and Myers.

Sprong looked good. Let’s see him some more. Also, Sherwood showed some good hustle last night. Let’s se if Räty can live up to the hype. He was dreadful in the circle in his second game. Heinen has been unimpressive. Kuds has looked good, why waste him in Jr.?

EP40 is the preseason standout so far. Playing well, nice and measured, getting warmed up to have another great season!!

Hasn’t been any real standouts among the NHL veterans. Hughes, Myers, and Silovs looked to be in mid-season form. Haven’t seen enough to call anyone a standout but Sprong could prove to be a great signing. Several vets have kinda phoned it in.

The most surprising prospect has been Räty. He showed up this Sept. faster and stronger. If Suter continues to look as feeble as he did last night, Räty is going to shake things up.

Alriksson looks great. He isn’t ready for the NHL but he has put everyone on notice the Canucks need to have a spot for him by ‘26/’27. Lekkerimäki could be ready for a top-six spot before then.

Player development on the farm team has taken a lot of criticism. They have developed many players to reach their ceilings. The ceilings were just low despite the amount of hype many got. Can’t make a silk purse from a sow’s ear. There are a few promising young D-men with loftier ceilings for Malhotra and Co. to work with.

This week’s question is so baffling similar to last weeks that I am not sure how to answer it.

Go with who I foretold, like Sprong who had a highlight real preseason game?

No, it’s about camp which is hard to narrow again to the prospects. To say JL, Räty, or Alriksson; who got huge praises from RT for where they were heading. Not a complete picture.

Let’s say Silovs the man did everything effortlessly in camp and stood out in the scrimmage. Then was spectacular for his preseason game. RT said he rises to the occasion and shows no nerves. So he’s got to be the standout.

Aatu Räty. He’s shown he’s surprisingly close to being an NHL player, and that makes the Horvat trade look even better.

I would go with Sprong but at the time of writing he has only played one game, but it was a fantastic game.

Therefore, my choice for standout is a player that should rightfully so be a standout. I go with Debrusk. He has put in great efforts in his games and looks dangerous. His speed surprised me and he looks to have a high hockey IQ. So far he truly does seem like a very good value for this team.

Hard not to have noticed Kiefer Sherwood by now. There’s being an energy player, and then there’s what Sherwood does, which is something else altogether. He is just constantly in the mix out there, always engaged physically, and always in the grill of the opposition. All the while directing shots at net and keeping them away from his own.

Folks used to talk about the likes of Derek Dorsett and Antoine Roussel “dragging the Canucks into the fight.” Sherwood seems to fill that same role while provided more generic on-ice value than those two ever did.

He’s going to make a difference out there, and he already has all the markings of an instant fan favourite.

Ask me again when the preseason is finished.