Welcome back to WDYTT, the only hockey column on the internet where we’re not even going to pretend to be consumed by the aftermath of the Quinn Hughes trade.

Speaking of being consumed by the aftermath of the Quinn Hughes trade…we are. And so, we presume, are all of you. This was, with little doubt, the most significant trade in franchise history. The full implications of it will take years to unfold. But we’re not interested in the full implications today, just the first few.

If you, dear reader, are any part of the Vancouver Canucks fandom, there is little doubt that last week’s trade hit you like a truck. It would be hard for it not to have. Sure, many were able to read the writing on the wall that Hughes’ departure was imminent, but there’s still a wide gap between feeling something is coming and seeing it confirmed on social media.

And we’re interested in capturing that initial moment. Everyone had a first reaction to the Hughes trade, and while first reactions aren’t always the best source of information, they are interesting.

Just to make sure we’re getting a complete picture, too, we’re asking a two-parter question this week. That initial gut reaction to the Hughes trade is interesting, yes. But it’s just as interesting to learn what your opinion is today, now that you’ve had time to reflect. And it’s especially interesting to learn about the difference between your first take and your latest take.

Call it a bit of a social experiment.

This week, we’re asking:

Let it be known in the comment section.

You answered below!

Hmm, Lekkerimäki, Willander, or Cootes; out of this group, I say Cootes.

However, IMO we haven’t traded for, or drafted, the elite game-changer we need. Allow Rutherford to trade out vets for extra firsts and if we end up drafting in the top-three, one of these picks will have the highest upside.

List for me will be: two new additions, Cootes, Willander, D-Petey, and then Lekkerimäki. Mancini could end up being better than Lekkerimäki.

Willander will most likely be the most impactful, but he plays a quiet style of hockey. If he develops a scoring touch, then watch out.

Cootes for sure will be high energy, and bring leadership, so I have to go with Cootes down the middle.

Lekkerimäki can be crossed off this list as his upside is now on the decline given his years of professional hockey already played. Between Willander and Cootes, it’s close, but I would give the edge to Willander. He hasn’t blown us away, but he’s shown us the strength and speed required to survive in the NHL. Cootes still has time to get stronger, but Willander is already there.

I am going with Cootes, then Willander, with Lekkerimäki a distant third. I believe the three top-32 picks the Canucks will have this draft have more potential than Lekkerimäki.

This one is a no brainer; Tom WIllander has the brightest future at this time. He is growing leaps and bounds at the NHL level without needing to develop in the AHL. There is nothing to suggest he will be anything less than a second line defensemen.

As for Jonathan Lekkerimäki, he has had more time to develop than Willander and is still not showing very well at the NHL level. He needs more development in the AHL and there is no certainty he will be a top-six forward at the NHL level.

With Braeden Cootes, it is way to early to tell. Certainly there was a lot of positives to take from his training camp and his current season with Seattle. That said he will need a few years of development before he is an NHL regular. I suspect he will be better than Lekkerimäki, but will he pass Willander; hard to say at this time. He needs to build size and muscle.

I am giving Cootes the tie on speculation with Willander, who is older and already establishing himself because Cootes has a winner’s personality and will achieve his goals, health willing. I think Lekkerimäki has a chance at a good career, as well, but he is still figuring out his “angle,” which is fine, he’s still young and he still has time. I think they will all have successful NHL careers.

I agree with Willander. His progress from looking like a deer in the headlights in preseason to now is amazing. It shows how smart he is. Add his skill level to that.

Lekkerimäki is a shooter. He isn’t a wash, but needs the right center. Something we seem to be short of.

Cootes looked like one of the best centers in preseason. As an eighteen-year-old. To me, he has 2C written all over him.

Lekkerimäki is the oldest of the three and shown the least promise so far. Still time for him to become a high-impact player, but ever being more than a 20-goal, second line winger seems unlikely.

Willander projects as a 30-point second pairing RHD. That is worth a lot more than a second line winger. Some chance the ceiling is a bit higher, but Willander has never been the highest-scoring D-man on his team. He is much more a Chris Tanev than a Cale Makar. Tanev has a big impact in a subdued kind of way.

If you are ranking prospects with a high weighting on potential ceiling, Cootes wins hands down. An above-average 2C who shoots right is worth at least as much as a second pairing RHD and a lot more than a second line winger. As much as I’d like to say Cootes will have the greatest future impact, need to see him take the next step first.

Wish they were all bigger.

It’s between Willander and Cootes. Both are valuable positions. Both are needed and both can’t arrive soon enough. Willander is ahead due to age and body maturity. Cootes will catch up and with his leadership and attitude will lift his value past Willander’s. Cootes has the brightest future.

I’m still concerned Lekkerimäki won’t survive in the NHL with his size and injury risk.

Lekkerimäki: Easy to project most top-six wingers as having a decent couple years when they crack a lineup and have 15-20 goal years like Virtanen, but I don’t see anything that says long term success.

Willander: I believe he shows the most potential for long-term success as an elite skater and smart defender, and should earn a top-four contract or at least a steady support piece on a better roster.

Cootes: I believe that he could be the most potential for star or bust. Super early, but this kid could be a star #2 center defensive/clutch guy one day or an overhyped mid-first round hype.

Lekkerimäki has done extremely well as a young pro in the AHL and SHL. He’s a U20 MVP, but has lost significant time to injuries and illness as well, curtailing his development some. What I’ve seen at the NHL level is suspect. Few touches, not getting into open space, and generally too careful for an offensive weapon. Right now, he looks blocked by Garland and Boeser, for the next six years. What has to happen for him to break in and break out? I’d make him trade bait. Let’s put him 3rd of the three.

Cootes has shown very well at all levels, but is still a pup. His offensive output this year is rather pedestrian, save for a six-point game. Team Canada sees a lot more in him than the points though, so that is very encouraging. What is really in his favor is the Canucks’ depth chart. As a right-shot center with some skill and many intangibles, I think he has very bright future, but I’m not sure he is ever a 1C, and may end up a similar asset to the Rossi’s and Kasper’s of the world. I’ll grade him 2nd.

Willander is unlikely to ever see the AHL again, after only five games played there. As an NCAA player, he has not played a ton of games since being drafted, but is showing he can adapt and grow his game at a rapid pace. As a RHD and only blocked by Hronek for now, his spot in the depth chart is secure. I love his skating, and believe there is a 40-50 point D-man with shutdown chops whose just super reliable and plays 22-24 minutes per night. Simply, because he is actually already contributing in the NHL, his probability of hitting his ceiling is slightly higher than Cootes, even if their ceilings are similar. Willander gets the nod over Cootes by a nose.

I’m going with Willander. He can be a top-pairing D man for the next 10 years. Not easy to find, particularly on the right hand side.

Willander is tracking like the new Matthias Ohlund. A very good, if unflashy D.

Cootes is still basking in the draft version of “new car smell.” Like Lekkerimäki, a couple of years ago, it’s mostly about potential. Then the player arrives and the pundits and watchers, hiding behind the phrase ‘being objective’, start focusing more on the flaws than anything else. Shorty after that, the flaws take up 90% of the commentary.

Braeden Cootes by a hair over Tom Willander. A 200’ top-6 RHC or a slick skating top pair RHD; two extremely valuable pieces to a NHL organization.

I’m leaning Cootes based on the Bo Horvat trajectory, the heir apparent as the captain of the organization AQ (After Quinn). I feel an “A” is destined for Willander, as he’ll undoubtedly be a central figure in the next leadership group.

Braeden Cootes and it’s not even close.