Welcome back to WDYTT, the only hockey column on the internet that got shut out at the annual CanucksArmy awards. Again!

Speaking of getting shut out at an annual awards show, you know who definitely didn’t do that? Quinn Hughes.

The Vancouver Canucks organization may not have rewarded their captain with a season to remember this year. However, they did award him with nearly all of the team awards at the final game of the regular season. Small consolation, sure, but a large honour all the same.

Hughes went home with the Cyclone Taylor Trophy for “Most Valuable Player,” the Walter (Babe) Pratt Trophy for “Best Defenceman,” the Pavel Bure Award for “Most Exciting Player,” the Cyrus H McLean Trophy for “Leading Scorer,” the Three Stars Awards for “Getting the Most Three Stars Selections,” and the Daniel & Henrik Sedin Community Award for, well, community stuff.

That left just the Fred J. Hume Award for “Unsung Hero” to Kiefer Sherwood, and that was it. Six of seven official team awards went to Hughes – and, really, could anyone claim to be surprised?

One question that definitely springs to mind right about now is this: have the Canucks ever had a more clear-cut MVP in any given NHL season? Where one player’s value was so clearly over and above that of his teammates? It’s quite possible that the answer is no.

Another question that springs to mind is the subject of this week’s column.

Because, as easy as it was to label Hughes as the undisputed (and probably darn-near unanimous, even with internet voting being what it is) MVP, picking out a runner-up is decidedly more difficult.

But, hey, that’s where you come in.

This week, we’re asking:

Let it be known in the comment section.

You answered below!

To me the no-brainers are Räty, EP25, and Mancini.

Räty has proven to be a hard-working centre who can win a lot of faceoffs, he sometimes seems to miss some d-zone assignments – which can be a work in progress but as a bottom-six centre, he has won a spot.

EP25 probably requires no explanation, I thought he had a rough training camp but through good minor league coaching and development, as well as his own determination, he has come a long way in a few months.

Mancini has been a steady bottom pairing RHD that through sheer necessity will have a roster spot next season. The way he plays, there may be some extra offensive potential there – so I say, let him play and keep getting better.

On the fence about Karlsson and Lekkerimäki.

Karlsson is often referred to as a big body; not sure why, because he is pretty light for his height. He can often look good but then is not noticeable for a few games. If they need a bottom line player then he may be a good choice unless they sign someone better.

Lekkerimäki looks awesome at times but is still very young and there is no rush, he can be a regular call up when needed for another season as he needs to build some strength before getting full-time NHL duty.

Aman I hope we have seen the last of. Sasson is a good tweener to call up when needed but mostly an AHLer next year, as is the rest of the group.

EP25 has to be a regular after taking reps on the top line on his offside when he hasn’t even played 30 games yet.

Räty is by far the best C option when it comes to faceoffs and his skating has improved enough to easily carve out a role in the bottom-six next year.

Tolopilo showed he can track the puck when its farther than 10ft from the net, so while I wouldn’t say he’s carved out any kind of role, he’s gotta be the better option than Silovs when/if Demmer gets moved out.

Mancini looks good enough to be a #5-7.

Lekk hasn’t really solidified himself as a lock but given the relative lack of firepower on the big squad, especially with the losses of BB and Suter I can imagine he’ll be forced into a role he hasn’t quite earned and probably isn’t ready for.

None of the call-ups are guaranteed to be on the roster next season. Trades, signings, re-signing, and offseason training will have far more impact than what we have seen so far. While it’s true several prospects have played themselves into consideration, decisions happen at training camp, not over the last 20 games of a lost season. CanucksArmy and Roget in particular have a poor track record for pencilling in prospects.

It is tough to imagine a set of circumstances where EP25 isn’t a regular on next year’s roster. Every other prospect needs further development to become an NHL regular and some need new contracts which are not a given.

D-Petey is on the team.

Räty should be there on faceoffs alone, but the kid also scores…so his time has come.

Mancini.

Those are the most likely.

I have a feeling any call-up who has played well in the last while could become a part of a package to land a top-six centre. It’s far too early to speculate on who has earned a roster spot for next fall.

The challenge is fitting some of these players – even when they deserve it – onto a roster that’s already mostly set for next year. Assuming that Boeser and Suter’s money gets redirected to an Ehlers for the top-six and Forbort and Juulsen are gone, I would bet that D-Petey is the lock on defense and Räty on offense. Most likely, Lekkerimäki joins as a top-six option, with Karlsson as a bottom-six/13th forward. Assuming EP40 doesn’t !@#$ the bed again and Chytil comes back ok, and with DeBrusk and Höglander, we’ve got an awful lot of bottom-six forwards (Joshua, Sherwood, O’Connor, Blueger, Garland) signed for next year. You cannot conceivably just run this group back again, and none of these AHL youngsters, as good as they’ve looked, are more than complementary players. Short of trading EP40 and/or Demko, there’s no real option here that’s going to move the needle with decent call-ups. I’d rather see them do something bold like an offer sheet (Knies? Rossi? Vilardi?).

There should be several prospects in the lineup next year. EP25 is a no-brainer. Likely Lekkerimäki and Räty should be on the team as well.

Defenceman Elias Pettersson has definitely made the team. He is a hard man and plays with a poise and maturity beyond his years. I’m looking forward to watching him dish out some big hits next season.

From the AHL this year that will be in NHL in 2025-26, IMHO:

– D Petey has shown he is a #5/6 mainstay NOW in his career, and likely a #3/4 sooner than later.

– Räty is a legitimate NHL forward who still has lots of upside – pencil in for Canuck 3C or 4C for next year.

– Karlsson will be in NHL, but maybe not in Vancouver, as he is big, strong, skates decently, and has great hands.

For NHL for sure next year, that’s all – but lots of depth to provide injury security, competition, and trade fodder.