I look forward to seeing Pedan (LHD) and Subban (RHD) get some time in the NHL this year. This pre-season especially as the Canucks have to play in Beijing and Shanghai.

But management sees them more often than me, and unlike last year when they may have been avoiding waivers (by showcasing Pedan, or by Subban accumulating games played) they have gone out and added both MDZ and Wiercioch. That suggests they don't expect Pedan to succeed in the NHL in particular, as a guy who would be a big man physically controlling the opposition as opposed to the guys they separately evaluate as slick puck controllers.

Agreed that it would be nice to see some spot duty from Pedan and Subban in the NHL this year, just to see how they stack up at this level.

I think the Canucks probably have a really good shot at signing Kerfoot (as a local boy), but I'd be surprised if they got Butcher. He's the 'Vesey' of this year and probably most teams will be making an offer.

Friendships / teammates probably will count more than anything. That's why Vesey went to NYR. It's also why Schultz to EDM ended up a bit of disaster -- you still want to be able to feel good when things are going terrible.
U of Denver alums in the NHL for 2017, Wiercioch is the only Canuck recent U of Denver alum who played under a different coach in 08+09
Will's dad Garth was a Canucks 1st round pick who played most of his career in Vancouver
I don't know who he grew up playing or training with, but there's probably enough connections for him to feel comfortable taking a chance on Vancouver.

I won't disagree if you said the Canucks had no chance, they are 1 of 31 teams. But if I were an NCAA free agent I'd like knowing that "X made the jump 1 or 2 years ago, I believe I can do it too" despite not knowing exactly how that would happen given the fluid roster or new coaching staff. All you really want is not to have some dick coach freeze you out of any chance to prove yourself, enough challenge to grow but not be overwhelmed.