All the Nucks cuts, trims and personal choices have been made for us.

Here's the starting roster according to reliable (or not) public sources:

Forwards (14):
Pettersson, Boeser, DeBrusk, Chytil, Kane, Garland, Blueger, O'Connor, Sherwood, Cootes, Lekkerimäki, Bains, Karlsson, Räty

Defence (7):
Hughes, Hronek, M. Pettersson, Myers, Forbort, E. Pettersson, Mancini

Goaltenders (2):
Demko, Lankinen

Faeries (2):
Hoglander, Joseph

Pretty good starting roster... but now the questions begin. Kent and Thursday provide sane(ish), sober(ish) analysis, Westy and jimmi will provide the other kinds.

TOP TEN QUESTIONS:

Who should be on PP1?

Kent - I think this is pretty simple. Run a first unit with EP40, Boeser, Kane, Garland and Hughes. Second unit can roll DeBrusk, Chytil, Sherwood, Lekkerimaki and Hronek. I'd like to see Garland on that first unit because he has literally been the hardest-working Canuck the past two seasons, and his ability on the boards and with the puck can cause chaos that frees those other three forwards up.

Jimmi - Prefer the top 7 Nucks... but the NHL will whine like little babies about our new over-over-manned unit. Therefore, gotta go with Huggie, Lekky, Petey, Bessie and DeBriskie. Kane can take us off the PP on the 2nd unit.

Westy - I hope to see Lekky out there, shooting one-timers, just so Petey gets more space to go shoot one-timers. The man in the front better be ready to take a few shots. I think DeBrusk has better hands, but Kane might be able to take more abuse.

Thursday - I'll need to be convinced that Kane can do anything that needs creativity, but if he can hold the front of the net, I'm good with him being there. Otherwise, the QB has got to be Hughes, with Boeser, Pettersson, and probably DeBrusk down low. He has a weirdly effective shot when he's standing on the red line.

How effective will the mighty Nucks PK be this season?

Kent - I think it's going to continue to be solid. They've got some really effective PK guys, and are a threat to pop some shorties. They definitely need to work on staying out of the box as much as possible, but it's far from an automatic goal if they have to kill one off.

Jimmi - Very effective. Haven't allowed a single goal yet - in the regular season. They looked pretty good in the pre, just need to pre-empt the issue by only taking penalties against opponents with a pathetic PP.

Westy - First of all, stop taking penalties so we don't need a PK. (You hear me Tyler!) Secondly, it will interesting to see if the PK is agressive or sit back and clear shots. I am sure they will have their "running around chasing shadows" moments. Top 10 would be nice.

Thursday - The PK could be a really fun watch this year. Last season, Garland got to be a regular and did really well. I think he's going to go hunting for goals, just because it will annoy their opponents no end. Curious to see if Boeser gets the PK time he's asking for.

Do you trust Myers....even at $3 million?

Kent - I think we saw signs of Myers being used more effectively last season than his entire tenure in Vancouver. Adam Foote knows what this guy can and cannot do, and if they can pair him up with a solid partner in limited minutes, he'll provide value even at that price.

Jimmi - Yes, but more trusty if he's on the 3rd pair... maybe later.

Westy - I trust the penalty box will be his 2nd home this year....again.

Thursday - He's got a regular "stay-home" partner in Pettersson (no, the other one), and I think Foote will ask him to use his speed more to push the puck up. He'll probably be successful more frequently than not, but I don't know if that means enough to keep the experiment going. Let's say I trust Pettersson to minimize the damage done when it doesn't work.

What are the expectations for Kane?

Kent - I don't know, man. I'm still not even happy with him being here, if I'm honest. How many chances should a guy get, right? I think Jimmi's got the right idea. If Kane can stay healthy and out of the off-ice garbage, he could be either a nice piece of trade bait or... well, I will finish that thought on the next question.

Jimmi - Low to medium low. Expect we'll enjoy watching him take us off the PP. Hence the 2nd unit usage. Maybe he'll stick up for his teammates and get some extra time in Myer's summer cottage. On the medium side, maybe he plays well on the boards and scores enough goals by March to be good trade bait.

Westy - Wouldn't it be nice if he scored 20 goals before the deadline and then have to have a real discussion about his worth. He definitely shouldn't be signed to a new contract by GMPA.

Thursday - He usually does well in a contract year, and he managed to keep his off-ice drama to zero after his move to Edmonton. Getting 20 goals and 50 points with some abrasiveness would do me fine.

Is Cootes here to stay or is this just a 9-game trial?

Kent - Unless he is doing something ridiculous like putting up a point a game, and being an absolute difference maker, this will be 9 games. I am high on him, I think he's gonna end up being an absolute steal of a pick, but I think long term going back to junior for one more year is what's best for him and the team.

Jimmi - Game number 9 or number 96 will tell us all. But we can't wait that long. Besides, he's pre-destined to return to the dub and become a monster point-scoring monster.

Westy - I think it depends on Hogs....oh wait. Think about this, an 18 year old made this team. Playoffs might be hard to get to.

Thursday - I don't care much about the season-burning at ten games, so long as he's earned them. I could see him playing every two of three, then time to practice and reflect on the lessons. I want him to be in the World Juniors, though. I can see the argument either way - do everything for his WHL team, or have NHL opponents and training? I'd love it if he earned his keep with Vancouver, but I'll guess 20 games.

Why will this team miss the playoffs?

Kent - Yeah. You know what? Fuck it. I am tired of all the negative stuff in the world right now, so I am gonna believe in this team. Is it going to be insanely difficult for them? Yes. But this is a team that has some talent, and if they can stay healthy, that is half the battle right there. Injuries and a lot of off-ice bullshit really impacted this team last year. Healthy, return to normal seasons for Elias Pettersson, Thatcher Demko and for some of last year's impact players to build on what they did last time around, in the division they play in could see the Canucks get in, and if you can just get there, crazy shit can happen.

Jimmi - Why oh why? Could it be that BC Faeries can't get cheap hooch anymore at BCLQ shops and take out their unwelcome soberness on our new winning roster. Or our new winning roster still isn't winning enough and there's only one reason left: No practice facility.

But wait! Kent is onto something. Something strange, yet appealing... wish I could remember the word for it... let's back Kent for backing the impossible!

Westy - #1 - Because Vancouver and the hockey gods are trying to push Quinn out.

#2 - Special teams won't be able to make up for this mediocre 5 vs 5 team.

Thursday - The usual reasons, which would be a little odd. Just the team not executing as they should. Not personal drama, not hundreds of games lost to injuries, not a failure to communicate between coaches and players. Just plain old not being good enough.

IF... big IF, if the Nucks miss the playoffs, who will be the next GM? President? Owner?

Kent - You have to think that both the GM and President's jobs are on the line. I have given up waiting for a change in ownership. It's not gonna happen in my lifetime.

Jimmi - Franny will finally come out of the micro-managing boardroom closet and go full macro-managing billionaire President and General Manager of His Vancouver Canucks. Franchise to be moved later to some winery, so Franny can multi-task within limo distance.

Westy - The Sedins will fully take over the team and co-run it all. The team colours will change to the blue, gold and white of Sweden.

Thursday - The Aquabats have a hard time moving on from their decisions. I expect an announcement about how much ownership supports management, followed by a total housecleaning four games into the 2026-27 season and the hiring of Kyle Dubas for every position. They will immediately be fined One McDavid ($12.5 million) for tampering.

How will the Nucks win the division?

Kent - The Oilers lose Draisaitl and McDavid to injury, Vegas underperforms, and the Canucks have the healthiest season in their 55+ miserable years of existence. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.

Jimmi - By claiming more than 1 loser point in every freakin' OT, by winning more games in regulation than any other team in the Pacific. Simple. Why didn't they think of this before?

Westy - Vegas implodes and McDavid/Draisatl both get hurt....and Petey gets 100+ points, with Demko getting 10 shutouts. So there's a chance.

Thursday - Slowly. Lots of one- and two-goal wins, no drop-off from Demko to Lankinen, and two defencemen sitting top-six in team scoring.

SIGNING BONUS ROUND:

Besides Kane, which player would be the one traded in March if the Canucks suck.... besides Demko

Kent - I think Chytl and Sherwood would be definite trade bait. I'm not thinking about any other scenarios.

Jimmi - Willander? Myers? (so Westy can nap better) Not Quinn?! They wouldn't dare... would they?

Westy - Demko...wait....I can't say Brock anymore, especially with that contract. So, the dependable 2nd round pick will be traded in March.

Thursday - It's hard to see the team blowing it so badly that they decide to sell pieces, BUT Höglander's the obvious choice that can bring some kind of return. Forbort is a classic "guy team heading into the playoffs wants" for a contender. There's a lot of trade protection to dodge otherwise.

How much will Luke regret signing a cheap long-term deal in Jersey?

Kent - Yes. He could have played it out and come to Vancouver. He'll be sorry.

Jimmi - Like t----h----i----s much. Maybe more.

Westy - I wish I had a cheap contract like Luke. Jimmi.....can I have a cheap contract like Luke.

No. Your current contract is cheap enough. Can't put a price on free.

jimmi

Thursday - At least he'll be close to his favourite hospital. Do they have Frequent Flyer miles?

How much will Huggie want to sign a cheap long-term deal in Jersey?

Kent - Not gonna be cheap. This is the season that convinces him to stay. So shut up about fuckin' New Jersey already.

Jimmi - Not too much. So, that's good. A short term pricey deal in [redacted] to align with Jack's contract. That's not so good.

Westy - I think a cheap Huggy is $15 million/yr.....The Devils would have to make a deal with themselves to be able to cover that.

Thursday - Let's see: on his off days, Hughes can walk around Stanley Park in the rain. Or he can walk around Newark in the sleet.