Welcome back to WDYTT, the only hockey column on the internet that’s still managing, somehow.

Speaking of management, the Vancouver Canucks have some new management. Like Bilbo Baggins, the Canucks organization went on a great journey, searching far and wide for new GMs and Presidents. Like Bilbo Baggins, they ended up right back where they started, anyway, in hiring Ryan Johnson and Henrik and Daniel Sedin as the next faces of the front office.

Countless names were ultimately thrown around, ranging from the run-out-of-town Pierre Dorion to the almost-had-it Evan Gold. In the end, however, it came down to internal promotion, with Johnson upgrading from Assistant General Manager and Abbotsford boss, and the Sedin twins switching from their vaguely defined role to something with an actual title.

As of yet, this new front office has only been named, and has yet to make anything in the way of decisions. But these are all, at the very least, names that Vancouver fans are well familiar with. And that means some early opinions have no doubt already been formed. We’d like to hear those opinions.

This week, we’re asking:

Let it be known in the comment section.

You answered below!

Keaton Verhoeff.

Keaton Verhoeff, hands down the best D available. Hopefully San Jose doesn’t take him. If he’s gone at 3, take McKenna or Ivar.

Either Malhotra or Chase Reid. Centers and RHD are premium positions. Both are about 6’2″ and can be very good. Not sure if they will be elite, but very good centers and RHD are very hard to find.

Chase Reid or Keaton Verhoeff. Stenberg is fine at 3, but I’d prefer a D-man with our pick.

I’m liking Carson Carels but the draft is a crap shoot. Somebody ranked much lower could end up being the best pick. It’s happened before and it will happen again.

If McKenna and Stenberg are gone, then the choice is between Verhoeff and Carels.

Leaning to Carels at this point.

Malhotra is tempting, but hard to pass up a franchise D for a 2C at #3 overall.

So, Carels it is!!

BPA. Stenberg if Sharks take a D-man as most pundits are predicting. Yes, Canucks need a center, but they’re going to be bad and have high picks for at least another three years. Plenty of time to get a 1C, so let’s wait until a draft where a center is the BPA.

McKenna gone.

Sharks either Stenberg or Reid.

We take what’s left over, though Carels is like Bieksa v2.0. Can he superman punch?

This is simple. I want TOR and SJ to temporarily lose their marbles so we can take McKenna at 3. If they could permanently lose their marbles, that would be even better.

I would also be elated to see Ivar without a dance partner at three. That has dream-worthy probabilities to it.

When considering the most probable scenario, Gavin and Ivar are taken, leaving Chase Reid for us. I could easily be proven wrong long term, but Reid has to be the better asset today. Does that mean BPA? I am not sure.

Up until last night, I had been highly skeptical of Malhotra. Steve Ellis, though, said he was the best player on the Bulldogs thru the playoffs – better than Luchenko, O’Donnell, and O’Brien. That is good enough for me. If the Nucks go that way, I’ll be happy enough.

McKenna after the Leafs and San Jose both pass.

Stenberg if there, or Verhoeff.

Trade down. See if Calgary, Nashville, or the Rangers will move up. Grab their first and a second rounder as the ask. Draft the BPA with that pick. Then try to move our late first (24th) to Florida or Calgary for two seconds.

Draft in the top-7 and have five second round of picks.

I’ve read that Grier from the Sharks is considering trading the #2 pick for a top-tier defenceman. Bit silly to even bring up, but I wonder if he would trade it for Hronek plus assets (Minnesota’s first?).

The Sharks have been rebuilding for some time now, maybe they don’t want to wait for a young defender to develop and would also value having more veteran leadership.

Trade down and take the Ruck Bros.

Ivar Stenberg or Keaton Verhoeff. Do not trade up for 2nd pick.

Hope the Canucks take one of the two wingers if still available at 3, otherwise pick a Right D, as that’s a premium commodity to have.

Personally, I like Carels, but unfortunately, he’s a lefty.

Verhoeff 100%. I’ve said before Keaton was a goalie up until five years ago. The fact he’s even getting drafted at all is a massive green flag regarding his natural ability as an athlete. I still don’t understand the hype around Malhotra, aside from the Canucks connection.

Draft Verheoff at # 3. He’s a RHD which is a sought after position throughout the league, and a current position of need for the Canucks. Has been for too long now. Plus, the kid could be the next Schaefer. He’s also Canadian and has said that he’d like to play for a Canadian team.

The way Malhotra’s been trending in the playoffs, I’d take him; otherwise Carels or Verhoeff. Keep away from Reid. He’s not defensively sound nor tough and bleeds red, white, and blue.

I haven’t seen Malhotra play so I don’t have an opinion on him. I just hope whichever GM comes in won’t have the expectation that the player he/she drafts will be an immediate difference-maker, and give him time to develop his game whether it be in college, Sweden, or in Abby. No need to try and fit a square peg into a round hole. If the ideal centre isn’t available this year, draft him next year or the year after. Just take the best player available and let the chips fall where they may.

McKenna, Stenberg, Reid, or Verhoeff at 3OA. If the team wants to take someone other than those four players, trade down.

SJ probably takes Chase Reid, which leaves Canucks with Ivar Stenberg. If SJ takes Ivar Stenberg, Canucks probably take Chase Reid, because with Mancini still being unproven on the right side, there is a spot open there. I think Carson Carels is probably a better overall player than Chase Reid, but he would require trading EP25 or Zeev because Marcus just signed his retirement deal with NMC a year ago, and I’m confident he isn’t agreeable to be shuffled on down the road at this point.

Canucks need to choose the best player available. If Stenberg doesn’t fall to them, then they should draft Chase Reid. Hronek won’t be around forever and defense is hardest to build especially, on the right hand side.

Passing on Stenberg because he’s Swedish would be as dumb as choosing him because he’s Swedish. If he’s the BPA when they pick, then pick him. Is he the BPA at 3 if all goes according to rankings? I couldn’t tell ya, I don’t follow juniors that much.

I’ve been torn between Verhoeff and Reid. Two different D-men, Reid is far more dynamic but Verhoeff probably more the D-man this team needs based on the young D-men we already have. If Stenberg slides, I may have to take a closer look at him but I’m not sure he would be my guy at 3.

Trading down to 5/6 if there is a deal available may be good idea seeing both Carels and Malhotra would not be a significant step down.

If SJ takes a D-man, Stenberg.

If not…I’m leaning towards Reid. Skating questions as well as decision making questions w Verhoeff are concerning. Those are traits that can be improved, but not made elite most of the time.

If the Leafs and Sharks pass on Stenberg, then the Canucks should gobble him up. He may be the best player in the Draft. If McKenna and Stenberg go 1 and 2, then pick the BPA. From what I am reading, that seems to be Chase Reid. I DO NOT want the Canucks to pick Malhotra if they pick him only because he’s a centre, rather than the BPA.

Would like the best RHD available. Pair him up with Zeev. Build from the back end to the forwards. This team needs to learn how to Defend.

Ivar Stenberg.

Next year is loaded with centers.

Be patient.

One of and in this order McKenna, Stenberg, Carels/ Malhotra.

McKenna and Stenberg are top offensive talents, so you grab one if you can. If they are gone, I’m good with either Carels or Malhotra. Both guys are gamers you can win with and build around.

Reid and Verhoeff are further down for me for varying reasons.

Stenberg for sure if available, the biggest need is a bona fide top-six star that drives a line, whatever the position. If Stenberg is gone trade down with Seattle for their picks at 7 and 26, then they can have Manny coaching the both the Bjorck brothers and the Ruck brothers!

This one is probably not going to age well, but like I said, if Stenberg is still there at three, that’s who Pierre Dorion will draft.