Welcome back to WDYTT, the only hockey column on the internet that can be read at all times.

Speaking of all-time, this week’s 2026 NHL Entry Draft promises to be one of the most important events all-time for the Vancouver Canucks. But in terms of our weekly call-and-response column, it’s a little awkwardly timed. Some of you will be reading these words on the eve of the draft, some during it, and some after it has already been completed. Thus, asking you about the draft itself is kind of difficult.

But it’s easy enough to ask you about drafts, so long as we don’t get specific. So, let’s go back to that theme of ‘all-time.’ Most would agree that the Canucks absolutely need to nail the third overall selection this year. If this wound up being one of their best selections ever, it would mean enormous things for the rebuild and its long-term success. So, let’s do some thinking about previous ‘best selections ever’ so we can put this one in some proper context.

The subject line here is “the Canucks’ best first round pick of all-time.” But within that question, you folks could go in several reasonable directions. Is it the best player overall? Is it the best player relative to their draft position? Is it just a personal favourite?

Answer it Journey-style – any way you want it.

This week, we’re asking:

Let it be known in the comment section.

You answered below!

I’ll take Nicolas Deslauriers, he can have Hogs Nilanders’s job, produces the same amount offensively, but he can knuckle … If Nic doesn’t want to come to Vancouver then it’s time to circle back to Curtis Douglas.

Patrik Laine; he would come cheap and he is the best pick to package off at the deadline if he shows signs of life during the season.

I’ve always liked Boone Jenner. He is known as an excellent leader, great faceoff guy, and a solid culture carrier. (And doesn’t he look a bit like the new Abbotsford GM, except for with more hair?). He can replace any one of the many Bluegers, Höglanders, and even Sassons, who at this time, seem more like placeholders as opposed to having a future with this team.

I wanted the Canucks to take Jenner in 2011, but they took Jensen instead, so now they have a chance.

Hard to go wrong with a character guy like him, but I think at this point of his career, Boone will probably be hoping to latch onto a team that has a chance of winning something.

Beck Malenstyn or Brandon Duhaime. Great compliments to the 4th line. Adding toughness, penalty killing acumen. Young enough to give 2-3 year deals.

Trevor Kuntar. Solid center who is about 6 feet tall, but well over 200 lbs and hard to move off a puck. Good on faceoffs. Heavy shot. Over 20 goals in AHL last year for this late bloomer. Likely can get just above league minimum and has a floor that is already NHL-ready and a ceiling that could be a bottom-six fixture for a long while. Apparently has character of a leader and wore a letter in USHL.

I’ve heard some good things about that Ovechkin guy…

Try to sign Douglas.

Don’t sign Blueger, or any other free agents on July 1^st.

Zero.

It’s rebuild time, it isn’t continuing with the failed retool plan.

No one.

Nothing.

Nada.

Bupkis.

I would focus on players who could have value at the TDL. Centers and defence tend to have the most value, and right shot in particular. I would want someone who is a team player. To me, someone like a Colton Sissons makes sense. He’s from North Vancouver and has playoff experience. I would overpay for him. Something like $4M-$5M for a one-year deal.

Too early to consider. Firstly the team has to dump a few veterans to free up roster spots. You can’t have your pudding if you don’t eat your meat.

Although not a UFA yet, keep Douglas.

The draft will determine whether the Canucks should chase a UFA. If they are able to draft McKenna or Stenberg they would need another offensive winger. DeBrusk can be moved at the draft to drop his salary to use towards another offensive winger. Tuch would look good beside Pettersson and one of McKenna or Stenberg.

That would likely mean that the Canucks are likely not going to be at the bottom of the standings and wouldn’t be picking in the top five of the draft next year.

Not sure if they would be fighting for a playoff position but they would be a lot more competitive.

There is little available at RW in free agency. As of today, our RW depth chart is Boeser, Karlsson, Lekkerimäki, Klimovich. My choice would be to make a play for Patrick Laine.

Low risk, massive reward play. One-year contract at $7 or 8 mil. Trade and retain at TDL.

Assuming DeBrusk is traded, PP1 today is EP, Rossi, BB, Hronek(Buium). Could Lekkerimäki  or Karlsson fill that last spot? Maybe. Chytil? Possibly. Laine absolutely can.

From Laine’s perspective, he sees 1C EP40 without a winger, a spot on PP1, and a potential hefty pay cheque. He rebuilds his career, and we benefit. Or he flames out. All it costs is Francesco’s money, and I love spending his money.

Troy, he’s from Richmond.

The only reason to sign any FA (short term) would be to insulate the youth, protect them, and/or trade at the TDL for picks/prospects, if possible.

Douglas (sign and let him grow/develop with the kids)

AJ Greer

Nick Cousins

Acciari

Laughton

Oleksiak

Bogosian

Peeke

Grzelcyk

But convincing any of these guys to join the worst team in the league is another story.

No, just no, who wants to sign in Vancouver?

Instead, look for players other teams don’t want, like buyout candidates? Laine, Mangiapane, etc. Then flip them when they play better. Just be selective.

Canucks need a veteran D and team toughness. Go get Ian Cole back. At 36, offering him a two-year deal might be enough to get him to hold his nose and sign.

If it doesn’t cost the Canucks much, I wouldn’t mind them bringing back Juulsen.

Alex Tuch. Two years at $15 million per.

Then retain 50% and deal him for a boatload of picks and prospects. Probably get three first round type assets for him at $7.5 million.

Deal would have to be agreed to prior to signing.

Less is more when you are shooting for the floor. They only really need a backup C for when Chytil goes down again. Sign Douglas at league min, he will be the quintessential 4th line C with Räty moving up to 3C.