Welcome back to WDYTT, the only hockey column on the internet with a built-in fascinator.

Speaking of fascinating, we had a bit of a fascinating thought to share and explore this week, and it has to do with fan favourites.

The Vancouver Canucks have been blessed with a lot of great players and a lot of likeable players over the decades. It’s never been too tough to guess who the fan favourites might be, whether that be some of the true superstars, like Trevor Linden, Pavel Bure, Markus Naslund, and the Sedins, or some of the big personalities, like Stan Smyl, Curt Fraser, Tiger Williams, Kevin Bieksa, or Rick Rypien.

Until now, that is. The Canucks have undergone a lot of change and a lot of letdown of late. Several of the players who fans might have previously listed as their favourites, like JT Miller, Quinn Hughes, and Conor Garland, are all out the door. Those previous favourites who remain are tinged with disappointment and underperformance.

It’s got to the point where we look at the current roster and have no real idea who fans would list as their favourites here.

So, we thought we might as well ask.

This week, we’re keeping it relatively simple and making as much of a poll as an inquiry.

This week, we’re asking:

Let it be known in the comment section.

You answered below!

Mine is Vilmer Alriksson.

Novotny.

I think we’ll see Chase Wouters in a few games to start the season.

Trey Fix-Wolansky. RW, had 31 goals in the AHL last year. More importantly, he’s 5’7 and 194lbs, a cannonball on skates. I’d like to see him crack the lineup, he’d be fun to watch.

Hoping for Tolopilo… either Demko or Lankinen need to move on, preferably Lankinen before camp breaks, so Demko can rebuild some trade value. Last thing we need is Demko meddling with the season-long punt for DuPont.

Is Mancini considered a dark horse? A lot of people seem to have written him off – seems like a case of all the tools there, just have to get the toolbox in order.

Adam Novotný is my dark horse to make the team. He has a man’s frame and some NHL-ready skills. Of course he could use some more development, but I think he will surprise people.

Prediction: someone not in the organization yet will be claimed off of preseason waivers and then will be kept on the active roster for opening night, annoying fans who wanted their own favorite prospect to get that spot instead of the waiver claim.

Safonov. If his size and faceoff skill translates to the NHL, then I think he may get a look. Next would be Cootes getting another look. After those two, I’m not sure any have a realistic shot at the roster this season.

Riley Patterson. I know he’s a 20 year old right shot center, but if Johnny Lekks doesn’t come to camp ready to earn a spot, Pattersson might get his shot on right wing.

Great question, it’s nice to have some prospects and tweeners knocking on the door. A dark horse to make the team would be Ty Mueller, but it might require a preseason injury or two to open a spot for him.

I think Kudryavtsev will have a real strong chance. Seems it’s between him and Mancini at this point for a final D spot, so he has a good opportunity and looked good in a handful of games last season.

Has to be Tolopilo.

The Canucks will carry three goalies and have Tolo be the practice goalie while starting periodically.

They can juggle D-men.

Reg Dunlop:
Kirill Kudryavtsev, the young LHD that played in Abbotsford last season.

Demko…given he is doubtful for camp.

Thatcher Demko.

Kiwi Canuck:
I can see Novotny getting a 3-game taster just as Cootes did. He’s got the size, skills, and attitude to do it.

Ty Young.

With Demko’s availability for training camp already in question, I am going to assume he will not be ready for the start of the season. One small injury to Lankinen or Tolopilo and the Canucks will have to being up another goalie onto the roster by opening day.

This week’s question is a great one. There is enough to choose from: Novotny, Cootes, Kudryavtsev, Safonov, and Mueller come to mind.

I am very high on KK. He may not be a complete dark horse. He seems to be on more than my radar.

The decision on how many goalies break camp will play a huge factor in KK breaking with the team. If we carry three, he probably has to be waived.

Safonov is a big body, but I have no clue how he plays. He would be the biggest unknown with a real chance if he’s a player.

I don’t really consider Safonov or Mancini darkhorses. Mueller or Kudryavtsev might fall into the darkhorse category but are both pretty well on the radar.

I’d say the three darkhorses are the post-prospect but still youngish AHL guys who have NHL experience under their belt.

Akil Thomas – 26 years old, 32 NHL games with 7 points, plays C & W. Not the greatest production but was a proficient JR player.

Matthew Stienburg – 25 years old, 8 NHL games, plays C & W. Often injured but a maniac, fought Zadorov in his first shift and injured three Lightning players in one game (two on a single shift).

Trey Fix-Wolansky – 27 years old, 26 NHL games, 6 points, RW. Highly productive AHL player who is a wrecking ball.

If I was to pick one it would be Trey Fix-Wolansky followed by Stienburg. Trey has that upside where he could lead the team in scoring in the pre-season while being a sparkplug. Stienburg is a bit younger and more unproven but he could also make a big name for himself.

I would say Safonov, but the darker horse is probably Novotny.

Dark horse to make the team is Ty Mueller as fourth line centre. Manny seems to love how he plays and will allow Cootes time to hone professional game out of the glare of NHL expectation during a season that is more about growth than results.