Training camp and preseason are breeding grounds for optimism, but there’s a sincere feeling of self-confidence and a yearn to prove people wrong that bleeds through during interactions with the current Vancouver Canucks players.



That much became obvious when I asked which team around the league will turn heads as part of The Athletic Vancouver’s player poll — every skater answered that their team is going to be the one to surprise the league. The Canucks are betting on themselves to shock the league and the nature of the responses proved it wasn’t just lip service, but a legitimate belief.



In the end, The Athletic got 11 players in the room including all the core players to predict who on the team is primed for a huge season, players around the league they think will break out, most underrated NHLers, teams other than Vancouver that will turn heads and more.



Some players passed on particular questions, but without further ado,...