Welcome back to WDYTT, the only hockey column on the internet to write about the past, in the future.

Speaking of futures, it’s kind of all we’re talking about in Canuck-land these days. After all, what’s a rebuild for, anyway? The answer: to build for the future. The Vancouver Canucks are making long-term moves, they’re avoiding shortcuts, and they’ve firmly set their sights on at least a few seasons down the road.

There has been plenty of discussion about those future assets that will still be incoming. The Canucks’ top choice in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, most prominently, but also their other first-round selection(s) this year, and then their top pick in the 2027 Draft, and then any of the prospects they might acquire along the way.

But the Canucks are starting their rebuild with at least a decent collection of young and young-ish players already in hand. The cupboard may not be bursting yet, but it’s not empty, either. The fact of the matter is that, however long it takes the Canucks to rebuild, there will be some players on the current roster still playing a part at that point.

That brings us to our question of the day. If we remove from the equation all those pieces the Canucks don’t have already, and focus on what they already have – and focus five years down the road, specifically – we want to know what you think we’ll be seeing.

To be exact, this week, we’re asking you:

Let it be known in the comment section.

You answered below!

Mathew Schaefer as he could be a Canuck today if we didn’t make the trades at the deadline to bring Marcus P and Drew O. Have to love buying at the deadline in a failed attempt to make the playoffs when the mission should have been to get as low as possible for the best possible pick.

This one’s easy. As mentioned, one time Canuck fan Macklin Celebrini already exceeding his ceiling as a generational first overall pick. He’s just getting started.

Once a Canuck moves to another team, they are nothing more than a player who I may look up their stats, but don’t cheer for them.

Marchand is my fav.

My vote is Justin Sourdif. He was an unknown and buried in the Panthers farm system, and without any fanfare, the Caps paid a high price to get him. Works hard, big, plays heavy. With PLD out, he’s become their stopgap 2C.

People here comment about how the Canucks should go out and trade for guys blocked at the NHL level. Well, the Caps just did it. Why haven’t the Canucks been doing this all along? (Rhetorical question).

So many great players. Celebrini is exciting, a likeable kid, and the youthful exuberance is refreshing. Crosby still thriving as he defies Father Time.

MacKinnon is probably my favourite. Everyone sits up every time he gets the puck. McDavid is also that exciting. He is, however, an Oiler from the most pathetic tank job in league history. That’s not really his fault.

Celebrini – he’s already dominating the league and not even 20 years old.

Nathan MacKinnon. Class act, class player. Just shows up and does what he does so well. Might be underrated as a superstar.

Mathieu Olivier. Toughest guy in the league (Wilson won’t fight him) and can also score. Those players are true unicorns, and I wish the Canucks had one.

Celebrini – just WOW!

Pretty easy response for me. The two guys we traded away, and the one we should have kept, but did not. Since we did not, it was on the management team to a) Vet the player in the locker room and b) make it work. Needing to trade this player was 100% on the Coach and the Captain. Of course I am talking about JT Miller. The first player on my list, however and ironically if he was the captain I don’t believe it would have gotten to that point in the first place, is, of coursem Bo Horvat. Loved it when he was drafted, loved it when he made the team, loved it when he was made captain and now…Here we are!

Calling anyone a favorite is perhaps a bit of a stretch for me.

There are players who play in a style I admire greatly such as MacKinnon, Scheifele, Celebrini, Crosby, and Makar, but I wouldn’t go as so far as to say I have a favorite.

Tom Wilson. Not that I’m in love with him; I wish was a Canuck.

I kind of like some B.C. boys… Celebrini and Bedard.

Too bad they do not play for their favorite team growing up.

Sid the (39-yr-old) Kid. I’m loving the Celebrini love parade, but Sidney Crosby’s longevity is a bigger spectacle to me. The most amazing thing to watch since Teemu.

Kiefer Sherwood’s hard work in the trenches, late development, mostly unexpected offensive contributions, and what appeared to be humility when speaking to the media here grew on me and as he now qualifies, he’s my favourite non-Canuck and likely will be until the next time he throws a hit in a game against the Canucks.

Troy Stecher – he carved out a 9+ year career in the NHL with multiple teams and never been demoted to the minors despite never being drafted, his smaller frame, and lack of offence. Epitome of perseverance and hard work. Well done Troy from Richmond!

Sid, just keeps on keepin’ on.

Macklin Celebrini is a joy to watch. He is so young but absolutely dominating on the ice. He is so creative, and reminds me of when Bure, Ovechkin, and McDavid burst onto the scene.

Mackinnon. No one in the league drives the play like him, apart from McDavid. But they are different players. He could probably go 1-vs-5 against this Canucks team and by the end of the game, the Canucks players would all be in ankle boots.

I think the most entertaining player to watch right now in the league is Matthew Schaefer. He is already doing things that Makar and Hughes didn’t do until about Year 3 in both cases. He has a smoothness to him that is unique and mesmerizing. He is also tougher than one first may think and, as he grows into his frame, he will only get more physical. Amazing hockey player.

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