Welcome back to WDYTT, the only hockey column on the internet to always contain your lucky numbers.

Speaking of lucky numbers, the 2025 NHL Draft Lottery was held on Monday evening, and the Vancouver Canucks…did not win. Which is okay, and was to be expected – despite the fact that the Utah Hockey Club, with only slightly better odds, did win. In any case, few Canucks supporters went into the lottery with any real hope, and so the end result came without much fanfare: the Canucks will pick at 15^th overall in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, as they were originally slotted.

Or will they?!

Circumstances being what they are, the Canucks could be said to be as likely to trade the 15^th overall selection as they are to use it. Maybe even more so. It’s no secret that GM Patrik Allvin and Co. are looking to upgrade their roster this offseason by any means necessary, and the trading of a first round pick is a pretty common means.

At the same time, the Canucks’ prospect cupboard remains a little shallow and decidedly top-heavy, and that creates some longer-term issues. What’s the best way to shore up a prospect collection? Well, by making draft picks, of course, and primarily in the first round.

So, the Canucks have a decision on their hands. And whenever we’ve got a nice, binary choice in front of us, we always like to throw it to you, our loyal question-answerers.

So, this week, we’re asking you to decide:

Let it be known in the comment section.

You answered below!

I think there are three main widely-reported priorities this offseason for the team: a new coach, second line center, and what to do with Pettersson.

I think the biggest priority is to find out what Hughes thinks. If he buys into management’s plan, then the other things are next on the list. If he doesn’t, the team needs to move Hughes this offseason.

Hiring a new coach and acquiring a top-six centre. Is that two answers? If so, I am sorry.

Trade Pettersson.

Find two new centers.

Sign Willander.

Get a commitment from Hughes.

Hire a coach that can find offense.

Add a forward who will stick up for teammates with authority.

Team needs to figure out a realistic direction. Do you try to get better players, when you have only one star player and $16 million in capspace, or do you try sell off your one star player and any others that might get a decent return?

No more drama.

Decide on a course of action that prioritizes winning the Stanley Cup. No deviations or “side hustles” (playoff revenue). Owner is a billionaire. If you cant afford to do what it takes to win, get the F out.

New owner.

Figure out the centre position.

My preference is re-sign Suter and trade Pettersson for a younger, stronger centre who may currently only be a 50-60 point player, but who has JT Miller growth potential.

Will look like a loss initially, but will pay benefits.

Yes it is a risk…but so is crossing the street.

It all starts with a coach. Picking all the players then dumping them on a coach is not a recipe for success. Once the Canucks can identify and hire the coach they believe is right for them, other pieces can fall into place, but until they get a coach in place, any other additions could be mistakes from before day one.

Getting a legit number one center that can win draws and plays a heavy game. A guy like JT. And finding a player who will fight to protect his teammates. I mean literally fight! Not more pretend dudes that think a face-wash deters anybody.

If I’m the Vancouver Canucks, my top priority this offseason is to keep and make my own draft picks.

Officially close the door on the Miller/Pettersson feud and trade away the last remaining party from this little boy spat.

Getting out from the Pettersson contract before it becomes an OEL-style albatross contract that dooms the team for the better part of a decade.

Getting the best deal we can get for Pettersson, a big home run during the draft, trading Hughes and Demko for the big blockbuster trade to absolutely change the face of this team.

Owner sells team, management all fired, full rebuild

Not sure how to pick a top priority. There are several essential things which have to happen this offseason. Doing just one doesn’t move the needle.

To pick just one top priority requires a more general answer. That said, the top priority is to make a plan.

Set out a strategy to become a viable contender and to stay that way. It must include the timing to trade out veteran players while they still have value, the discipline to do it, and enough prospects in the system to make veterans dispensable. No way Hronek, MP, or DeBrusk should be here beyond three more seasons.

We can debate the style of play and team identity desired to guide coach and player acquisitions. The point is to pick one.

Personally, I want the Canucks to play a better possession game. There is no shot clock in the NHL. Too often they play like there is. I also want to see a continuation of trying to get bigger and faster.

The one priority repeated most often is the acquisition of a top centre. This should not be done this offseason. The market right now is awful. Re-sign Suter and make do this season. It’s a fine strategy to draft or trade for a young centre, but don’t take out a big mortgage for someone on the back-half of their career.

Sell the team to M. Bublé.

Use the rink in his basement as the practice facility! I’m guessing he has a pretty nice gym, as well as video games for our “star” centerman and ping pong for Burrows (if he’d agree to come back as an assistant coach or some role that would sell tickets).

Hell, EP40 could ride unicycles and juggle on the basketball court as well…

I’m not ready to blow it all up just yet. Management has a very difficult summer ahead of them, but it’s not impossible. I think they should do their best to ice a competitive team next season in hopes that it inspires Hughes to stay. His decision next summer will have a major impact on the direction this team goes. I’d refrain from making any major decisions until then. Any acquired players this summer can always be moved if the team enters a rebuild. It might be 50 years or more before another player with Hughes’ talent plays for Vancouver, I’d rather enjoy watching him play while we still can.

Finding a legit top-six winger to play with Petey so he can hit the ground running next season. Marner would be nice, but I would go for Ehlers – he has the skill and puck-carrying ability to drive a line and fits the somewhat limited budget. No more second-rate UFA scrubs please, let the young guys fill those roles.

I would like to see a long-term plan to get this team to the cup. Adding a few players with the idea of convincing Quinn to re-sign is not a plan. Trading prospects and picks to get a short term fix is not a plan that will end well.

I would like to hear that our captain is committed long-term. If he isn’t committed long-term, then you must move him. This offseason.

Otherwise this club will be in for another 10 years of futility.

I would like a serious evaluation of the team by management. This whole “we have to go all-in while we have Hughes” doesn’t work for me. It takes a team to win in the NHL and it doesn’t feel like we have the pieces to do it. I just feel like our entire top-six is weak, as well as our prospect pool. I feel a retool at this point has to be seriously considered. Instead of sacrificing the future to hopefully squeak into the playoffs.

Bring back Kuzmenko and get Mitch Marner, don’t worry about the defense.

Trade Hughes to NJ for Silayev, Hischier, Mercer, and the 2026 first pick unprotected and trade Pettersson to Detroit for Larkin.

You’ve got your two top centers in Hischier and Larkin for added speed, added youth in Mercer, a high-end prospect in Silayev so you are not totally giving up the future, and use the NJ 2026 pick to upgrade the D.

Keep Vancouver’s first round picks now and in the future!

Redesign the logo a little bit and introduce a new third jersey.