Welcome back to WDYTT, the only hockey column on the internet with perfect rebound control.

Speaking of rebounds, they’re really just another word for ‘bouncebacks.’ And bouncing back is what pretty much everyone involved with the Vancouver Canucks is waiting for Elias Pettersson to do.

It might seem a little early in the year for any panic to set in. As of this writing, the Canucks have played just three games, and Pettersson earned a point in just one of them. He’s only a three-point night away from PPG status.

And yet…

The worries remain because the step that’s been missing from Pettersson’s game for the better part of this past calendar year still appears to be missing, and now the slump, if it can be called that, is an extended one.

From February 1, 2023, to February 1, 2024, Pettersson put up 108 points in 82 games. Since February 1, 2024, he’s put up just 26 points in 36 games. Something has changed for the worse in Pettersson’s game, and that change has lingered.

Now, the question on everyone’s mind is will Pettersson get back to that previous standard of play, and if so, when?

And that’s basically what we’re asking in this edition of the WDYTT.

This week, we want to know:

Let it be known in the comment section.

You answered below!

I read the question and immediately thought it doesn’t matter. Neither of the top two lines will consistently play ahead of the other. Their deployment will depend on match-ups and in game performance. Tocchet will be working hard to create mismatches to get an advantage over opponents.

I’m very optimistic Sprong can play a responsible game. EP40 and DeBrusk are already very good defensively. They can neutralize finesse top lines. Miller will get matched against heavier top-six lines.

Late in games, we’ll probably see some line blending. Need a goal, run out the Lotto Line. Protecting a lead, you probably don’t use Sprong.

Miller always gets the toughest matchups. Pettersson gets the more favourable matchups. Until that changes, Miller is the #1 line. Can’t say it really matters though.

Any line featuring Heinen in the top-six is not going to be Line 1. The Pettersson line, as currently constructed, has all the early hallmarks of being a very good line and, on the cusp of puck drop on the new season, this should be considered Vancouver’s top line. As with any conjecture, this is all subject to change as the season progresses and lines get hot and cold.

I’ve looked at other teams in the past with a similar one-two punch and came up with this quick solution: The line with more games played on that team gets called the number one line. So with that basic deduction, I’d give it to Miller’s line. Doesn’t really matter since both lines are going to get equal deployment in this case.

Doesn’t matter which line is called line 1 and which is called line 2.

Well, since they will both be played evenly, then they both are the top line, right?

Anyway, maybe the top line is the one you want out there when the game is on the line with minutes to spare to pull the goalie, or is the line sent out to protect a lead to get an empty netter to seal it?

You know it’s just going to be wherever players someone likes more, lol. For me, I am a team guy and want both lines to be #1.

Miller will lead the charge and his line will be the most important to the team and carry the heavy lifting. They will get the most 5-on-5 points.

Other players could score more, but that will be from special teams play.

Miller and Boeser will likely be given the toughest matchups against other team’s top lines. I’m not convinced Heinen will be a part of that line for very long, but we’ll see. I have a hunch that DeBrusk or Höglander will be tried with Miller before long.

I see Miller’s line taking the toughest matchups and scoring less, while, hopefully, Petey’s line scores a ton. There’s a lot of skill on Petey’s line, and it would great to see them cash in.

However, I don’t know how long these lines will last, especially Miller’s line. There are lots of really fun possibilities, including Joshua/ Miller/ DeBrusk, who I think would absolutely crush it – that I wouldn’t mind seeing. My hope is to see Miller get to play with top talent before he gets too old. I could see him getting 120 points with the right guys.

When Joshua comes back in my opinion he needs to play on the left of Miller and move Heinen to the fourth line checking unit!

It’s the Miller Line, no question in my mind. As much as I am a defender of EP40 and his contract. If I had to pick one line to go to war with, it’s that line. Really, it is just because of Miller, he goes out in every situation, I want him on the ice for a PP and PK and late in the game protecting the lead and late in the game when we need a goal. What else is there?

CanucksArmy! The season is HERE, and what better way to kick it off than with your crew at Greta? It’s all going down on Saturday, October 19th at CanucksArmy’s home for the fans, Greta Bar! We’ve got it all—prizes, trivia, and more to keep the energy buzzing all night. And this time, we’re doing it for a great cause, supporting the BC Mental Health Foundation. Doors open at 3PM, and you know the drill—tickets are going fast, so hit up nationgear.ca before they’re gone. This event is 19+.