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WDYTT: Who was your most-hyped Canucks prospect of all-time?
Photo credit: © Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Jul 23, 2026, 14:00 EDTUpdated: Jul 23, 2026, 12:22 EDT
Welcome back to WDYTT, the only hockey column on the internet where everything’s made up, and the points don’t matter.
Speaking of points, we’ve reached a very interesting point in Vancouver Canucks history. We sit within the opening stages of a rebuild, as the Canucks have begun to collect prospect, picks, and young NHLers with the hopes of a brighter future somewhere down the road.
As a franchise, the Canucks have arguably never been here before. But that doesn’t mean that fans aren’t already familiar with placing their hopes on the heads of a number of hockey prospects – and then, for the most part, watching those hopes be dashed apart on the rocks of eventuality.
We’ve had a lot of prospects come through Vancouver, is what we’re saying, and many of them have reached hype levels of truly ridiculous proportions. (We’re thinking back to Cody Hodgson Mania when we say that.) Some of those prospects met their lofty expectations. Most did not.
Today, we’re asking you to really stretch those memory muscles. We’re not asking you to use hindsight here – it’s pretty easy to make a list of which Canucks prospects have worked out best over the years – but to tap back into that pre-arrival hype reserved exclusively for prospects while they’re still prospects.
We want to know who your most hyped Vancouver prospects of years’ past have been, and how that hype worked out for you.
This week, we’re asking:
Who was your most-hyped Canucks prospect of all-time (and how did they turn out)?
Let it be known in the comment section.
If you could bring one (active) former Canuck back to the team in a mentorship role for the rebuild, who would it be?
You answered below! (Note: We prepared this one a little earlier than usual this week, so apologies to anyone whose response gets cut off.)
bill nazzy:
I would think the unanimous decision would be Horvat, no?
SEJG:
I would have to go with Garland. If only for the work ethic. I think a lot of people would go with Horvat or Hughes. I think those two are good. I think this team needs that consistent work ethic example on the ice.
CoconutsGrow:
Active player, can’t think of a single one… but it would be great to have Burrows on the coaching staff in either Abby or Van teaching perseverance and jam.
Superpest:
André Boudrias, of course! Okay, okay. I know, but I loved his relentless pursuit. So. Current? No one? I did like Cole’s one season here.
Jibsys:
For active players, the only guy I would want back is Bo Horvat. Bo didn’t get the respect he deserved while in Vancouver and after leaving and I’d love to see him get another shot here as a more senior member of the team.
Problem being, he will not be a UFA for quite some time and his trade price is more than what the Canucks should be paying right now so this is simply wishful thinking… the realistic response is that there is no one else.
Gino über alles:
(Winner of the author’s weekly award for eloquence)
We have to think long-term, so the only former players I’d want back on the team are the ones that are going to instill and support the character and culture that we’re trying to establish here.
So no prima donas or selfish divas as we’re really done with that, and they can’t be star quality as we have to have subtle yet effective tank commanders to ensure that we are destined to build this team through the draft. Also, they can’t take minutes away from prospects.
As good as having quality players like Hughes or Horvat back would be that would be very counter-productive to a long term vision, and also a hard no to Zadorov (ideal fit but didn’t want to be here) or Miller (obvious Chernobyl-level toxicity) or Garland (great work ethic but brutal towards teammates).
I’m going to go on a limb and say Erik Gudbranson, as he ticks all the boxes we need; everywhere they go they’ve loved his character, physically he’ll support anyone on the team, and as we saw during his last stint here, he won’t move the win/loss needle in a worrying way without being a complete donut back there. He won’t be taking minutes away from anyone except maybe Mancini, whom can clear waivers anyway and may be best in Abbotsford for another year.
He’s not a difference-maker, so he’s perfect.
Between he and Schenn, you’ve got the 6/7 spot covered and they can support Buium, Willander, and Pettersson as they play harder and harder minutes. Added bonus, we’re bound to have injuries and Mancini will still get lots of opportunity to play.
canuckforlife:
- Do you really need more? Not active players but if the Sedins, Johnson, and Malhotra are not among the highest echelon of mentors, along with Schenn, Gallagher, Hronek, Demko, and Oleksiak as active players, I don’t know what more you can fit on the “mentor plate.”
- Where do you fit more vet players into the line-up? Already numerous discussions about platooning Gallagher and Schenn with prospects. That’s ok, but the more vets you bring in the more platooning and/or a prospect simply sits or is the AHL.
- The team seemed to have good direction and effort toward the end of last season when some vet players were dealt. Those left along with the young guys seemed to get something positive going. Sometimes more change for the sake of change just disrupts things. Just let the existing new and old “mentors” mesh with each other and the young guns and play 40 or 50 games together. Then see where you’re at.
- Lastly, if the FO along with the vets on the team aren’t enough to mentor the young guys on the team then maybe you have the wrong young guys. Don’t need to overcook the whole mentor thing and I already feel we are beginning to.
RagnarokOroboros:
Trevor Linden fits the mold of the type of mentor the Sedins/Malhotra/Johnson are looking for. He is a humble, hardworking man of character. He is beloved by Vancouver fans and was a captain. I think he would provide a very good role model for the Canucks young players.
That said, he was badly burned by Aquilini and Benning, so I don’t think he would come back in any role.
As a backup, perhaps Markus Naslund, who also embodied hard work and humbleness. Another former captain.
1971 fan:
Unless we could somehow age-reverse “Juice” Bieksa, I can’t think of any active player outside of Schenn who would fit the criteria.
I agree with those who are answering the question correctly and think Bo would be a good choice. As long as it falls under the “never gonna happen” narrative.
kanucked:
I would bring in Mike Gillis. I think he could help the Sedins and Johnson manage ownership and look for novel ways to improve performance.
Eclipse:
For active players, an obvious candidate would be Myers. Seems like consensus was he was well-liked and respected in the locker room. Slightly too late, but I would’ve liked Sam Gagner as well. Just a guy who persevered and seemed to be happy playing a reduced leadership-type role.
There are not many other active players who fit this. We already got Schenn. Maybe Wolanin as depth D and leadership for Abby, he was great with us and continues to be solid in the AHL.
Soi Dog:
The only appropriate answer is Bo Horvat. Maybe Markstrom or Schneider as a back up if they can unload Demko or Lankinen.
Magic Head:
There’s only one. Chris Tanev. He was on the Canucks roster before they went to s*** and saw how the team fell apart courtesy of Benning and Co., so he was very familiar with how the locker room was run. I can’t think of a better mentor than him.
DerekP63:
Current player – Horvat. This current debacle can be traced back to his ill-advised trade to the Islanders. He was then named to the Canadian Olympic team and I’d be thrilled if he returned.
Former player – Bieksa. Epitome of a team-first guy who stood up for every player. Be a great voice on the ice in any capacity.
JCanuck:
Bring in Burr and a translator – even for the French kids!
james:
JT Miller…
The Luminator:
Jalen Chatfield will be a 31 year old UFA next year. Would be a nice replacement for Luke Schenn if he retires. I loved seeing Chatfield being a solid tough contributor on that Carolina Cup run, he would be a very welcome returnee.
How about another kick at the can with Jared McCann? Another upcoming UFA, he could be a more steady scoring Jake DeBrusk replacement when we trade him.
Agent86Fan:
I think they have enough mentors as it is. Let’s see some of the younger guys do some menting.
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