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Speaking of prospecting, it’s something that the Vancouver Canucks have been doing at least a little bit better of a job of lately.

No, the Canucks still don’t have a stable of prospects that would rank in the upper tiers of NHL franchises with bright futures. But they do have a bevy of young players with genuinely bright NHL futures of their own to look forward to, and that’s not something that could always be said about this team.

Even better, a good chunk of the Canucks’ prospects are still playing hockey, even at this late stage in the summer. The Abbotsford Canucks are currently in the AHL’s Western Conference Finals, where they’re facing off with the Texas Stars. And several of those plying their trade in Abbotsford right now have hopes of bringing their talents further down Highway 1 for the 2025/26 season.

Linus Karlsson is leading Abbotsford in scoring, with Arshdeep Bains right behind him. Arturs Silovs has already picked up both five shutouts and plenty of playoff MVP chatter. Victor Mancini has taken his defence to another level. Jonathan Lekkerimäki hasn’t had the best playoff run, but he’s still very much in line for major NHL minutes next year.

Then there are those prospects who aren’t playing for Abbotsford right now, but who are still expected to make the jump to Vancouver next season. Like Elias Pettersson, who stayed up with the big club too long already and was thus ineligible to be sent back down for the playoffs. Or Aatu Räty, who could play for Abbotsford, but is currently injured. Or Tom Willander, who chose not to join the AHL roster after signing this summer, but is instead getting ready for Training Camp.

Put them all together, and there are a lot of prospects angling to make an impact on the Vancouver Canucks in 2025/26. The only thing left to ask is ‘how much of one’? Or, that would be the only thing left to ask, if we weren’t about to ask it.

This week, we’re asking:

Let it be known in the comment section.

You answered below!

Scott Walker ?

I think they need experience behind the bench to offset Foote’s lack of experience. Two names come to mind that fit the criteria: Marc Crawford and Jack Capuano. Either seem acceptable to me.

Just don’t bring in somebody washed up and old. It’s time this franchise switched strategy to trying something new. Experience is overrated. Hiring Foote is a nice start….now try something new with the assistant coaching positions. Maybe hire Henrik…I’m sure he would bring some new thoughts and he would certainly get some entertaining comments on here! So would Burrows.

Toch went from panel to coach, why not Bieksa?

Alex Burrows?

I’d say Crawford. I’ve always thought he was underrated as a coach, and wondered why guys like Laviolette, MacLellan, and others kept getting jobs instead of Crow. Offensive-minded guy, he would be the perfect counterpoint to Foote, whom he coached in Colorado.

Donald Brashear.

Sam Gagner.

Would be interesting to see Crawford or and the Sedins with Foote. Teach the cycle and lots of offence with a deep respect for defence.

If you want a tough team, lure Tim Hunter out of coaching retirement.

I have had a hunch for a while that Manny Malhotra, with his more extensive coaching experience, will be promoted to be one of the assistants after the Calder Cup run is over.

None. Certainly not a former fan favourite. Hopefully ownership learned something from the Linden debacle. It’s just too bitter and decisive when they need to be fired.

The Canucks need coaches with different ideas and a proven record of running offence, defence, and special teams. Presumably Foote has his strengths, but with the head coach commitment, he will have to spend less time on the things he is best at.

My Fav would be Manny.

Abby plays the style the Canucks wanted to play. He knows a lot of the young players that will be needed to step up.

Unfortunately, he has been there done that as an assistant. Sure he coaches Abby one more season, then head coach.

Bring in Jeff Cowan so we can see the return of the bra-barian for s**** and giggles because this team is going to suck for the next few seasons as Foote is going to be a fill-in for the new head coach who will come in after the Canucks have drafted a trio of top-five draft picks three years from now.

This question is too easy, Manny of course.

No explanation required.