Halford & Brough in the Morning - Can The Canucks Stop Getting Injured Please

Episode Date: October 29, 2025

In hour two, Mike & Jason ask Victory+ NHL insider Frank Seravalli (1:45) about what the Canucks might do trade-wise to help with their center depth, plus the boys hit up the text message inbox to answer listener questions about all the sprots (27:00). This podcast is produced by Andy Cole and Greg Balloch. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.

702 on a Wednesday. Happy Wednesday, everybody, Halford, Brough, Sportsnet 650. Looks like the stream's working okay. A couple technical difficulties here on the morning show, but we press on. Looks like our stream is working. I can see me. Look, it's me, Jason, on the TV.

Oh, I can see. Yeah, no, I just wasn't paying attention to it because I was dealing with other stuff. That was an A-dog difficulty, an A-difficulty, if we lost power. So we're not getting our usual bumper music. That's fine. Frank Sarah Valley is going to join us in just a moment here, as per usual, our NHL Insider from Victory Plus. Stream's still working.

Eventually, all the platforms will be back and fully operational, so. For now, just bear with us as we work through it. You are listening to the Halford & Brough Show on Sports Night 650. Halford in Brough of the morning is brought to by Sands and Associates. Score a debt freedom hat trick. One, no more interest. Two, much lower payments and three, financial peace of mind. Visit them online at sands dash trustee.com.

We are in our two of the program. Our two is brought to by Jason hominock at Jason. Dot mortgage. If you love giving the banks more of your money, then don't let Jason shop around to find the perfect mortgage for you. Visit them online at jason. Mortgage. Come to a live from the Kintech studio, Kintech footwear and orthotics. Working together with you in Step.

Our next guest is our NHL insider from Victory Plus. He is also a presentation of Angry Otter Licker. Frank Sarvalley joins us now on the Halford & Brough Show on SportsNet 650. Morning, Frank. How are you? How are you guys doing? We're good. Thanks for taking the time to do this. We're excited to ask the same question we ask you every single week that you come on this program.

What's the latest with the Kodak's search for Center Help? as we move on and on and on during this regular season. What's the latest? There is no latest. October 29th. We are in week four of the season, and teams generally, by and large, don't make trades. And so not only that, but there's a third of the league,

half the league, that is chasing the same exact thing that the Vancouver Canucks are, so they can get in line. They've got a willingness, an aggression, a hunger to make something happen, but you can't make anything materialize on a market that doesn't exist. So that's the holdup an issue. Yeah, we've asked a few of our guests this week

about a team like the Boston Bruins because there's Pevel Zaka talk in Vancouver. And I understand the need from Vancouver's side. It's obvious. But what I don't understand quite at all, really, is like, where are the Bruins right now? why would they even be considering trading Pavel Zaka

and you would have to assume that if the Canucks are in this that it's going to be futures coming the other way so like how does that make sense it doesn't is what you're telling me well it could make sense later it doesn't make sense right at this exact moment in time I mean the Bruins are still trying to figure out

what they are they a team that can rebound there's been some ugly returns They've also had a few decent nights. They're five and seven. They've got 10 points. And the truth is they're two points out of a playoff spot. You think they're going to, you know, in a year where they had higher expectations to bounce back with Jeremy Swayman and Ned a healthier decor and, you know,

maybe David Pasternak driving the bus with some increased bottom six help, you don't think that they're hoping they can squeeze back into the race and make something out of this season, of course that's what their goal is. They're not trying to trade Pavlzaka. In fact, they're open to extending him. They haven't gotten to that point in time yet. So there's no like impetus to move him if the, you know, if the Bruins fall out of the race and it's January or February

and they say, okay, we're open to considering doing things a little bit differently. We're 20 points back of a playoff spot and we've got no hope. and we need to begin to turn over our roster and take a look at what the future is retooling this group, sure. Could they move him then? Yes, but right now, it's not on their agenda. It just isn't.

What are you hearing on Nazim Qadry? Not necessarily related to the Canucks, but I know the flames had a good win over the Rangers the other day, but they got to be thinking about cashing in some of their assets. Well, they are thinking of, about it. But again, to a lesser degree, I would say with less hope than the Bruins because they're a team that really will struggle to score. And at five points gained through 11 games

played, it's, it's not anywhere close to enough in a jam-packed Western Conference that they might be one of those teams that's packing it in early. The difference between the Bruins and Flames is that in Calgary, they're concerned about opening up or feeding their young players to the wolves. If you don't have a couple veteran support pieces around you, then you're in for a tough night every night. And they want to avoid overloading or overwhelming their younger players. And that's part of the reason why this, you know, this Calgary team features a handful of

in their lineup from Cadre to Coleman to Euberdo to Uyger, Anderson. Like, those guys are not just, you know, pieces to try and help this team inch closer to the playoffs. They're trying to provide proper support. I'm going to list four teams that are currently in a playoff position that a lot of people didn't expect to be in a playoff position. You tell me which one is for real, if any of them are for real. Pittsburgh, Philly, Seattle.

and Chicago. None. Is that blunt enough for you? It's fair. You know, I'm looking at, I mean, I'm happy for Connor Bedard that he looks like he's taking his game up a step, but I don't know if those guys

have the staying power. Which one do you think is like the most surprising just over the first 10 or 11 games, though? Definitely Pittsburgh. Look, obviously, at the top of their lineup with Crosby and Malkin, and even if you want to include Carlson on the back end, although he was dreadful last night, you know, there's obvious talent and skill,

and you're talking about two of, you know, for the better part of two decades, the best players in the world. So to think that this seven, two, and two shot out of the gate was expected, I think is so far off the map or mark, even the penguins themselves as 31 other teams were trying to improve this summer the penguins were sitting back saying

this probably isn't our year we've missed the playoffs a few years in a row we haven't won around since 2018 we've got a new rookie head coach guys that are entering the final years of their deal like Malkin this is the changing of the guard or at least the beginning of the changing of the guard

ahead of what's a really special draft class and now you know what's that old saying you know you make plans god laughs or whatever it is yeah um that's kind of what it feels like right now is like this team that was not planning on being in the mix is now squarely in the mix to start and you know i think the worst case scenario and this is just my black and white view on on how the you know the nchl world works the very worst thing that could happened to the Pittsburgh Penguins is to be an 85 or 90-point team and draw themselves closer to the middle of the pack, still miss the playoffs, and not get their hands on

what is a very special franchise-changing player in the top five of this draft. I do want to ask you about the Flyers because they played a pretty spirited game against those penguins yesterday. Tuckett is doing what he does, and the games are very low event. They don't give up a lot of scoring chances, and they're getting some deep. decent offensive performances. Oh, by the way, Halford, I've got a new Snuggaroo and his name is Bobby Brink. Yeah.

He's a good player, man. He's a fun player to watch. Pretty sick shoot-o goal last night. You think you have a new Snuggaroo? Yeah, it's so... You have to explain these things. I have to explain this to you. So, Halfer and I had like a fight

over Jimmy Snuggrood because I was like, he's a good player, and Halfer was like, he's fine. So we kind of had a fight. Tensions have been quite high with the Canucks start. So we're fighting over Jimmy Snuggerud. You don't say. Yeah, so I've been watching a little Flyers hockey and Bobby Brink is a good little player.

Just because you missed Rick Tocke, that's why. It's true. Here's the thing, though, like the Flyers have an identity now, right? Like, I still don't know what the Canucks identity is under Adam Foot. I don't know. I mean, I think the Flyers are holding this together with, like, duct tape and glue. And I think we're looking at 20 games from now where, you know, the flyers are going to be overmatched.

Their defense core, particularly, on a night-to-night basis, it's amazing what they've been able. The fact that they're 5-1 at home is bananas. Look, I'm, and this isn't, again, to knock any of these teams that have had great starts, it's just any team can look good for three weeks. But when you get to 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 18 weeks, the story is different because, you know, over 82 games,

the best teams win out. You can have surprising results. And I hate to keep going back to this same and beat this same drum over and over again. But it's an organizational philosophy and checking the boxes required to build a good team. The Flyers do not have a number one goalie. They do not have a number one defenseman

and they do not have a number one center. You guys know how difficult, I don't need to tell any other. their market if you don't have you can have the number one goalie you guys might have the best tandem in the league top to bottom you've got a really solid defense score with a number one defenseman in Quinn Hughes if you don't have all three parts it's hard and the flyers don't have any of the three so how how on earth and i don't mean make the playoffs this year I'm thinking over a five-year span that Rick Tock is coaching this team,

you better get those players in a hurry. Are they going through this in Philly with the idea of like it's actually not such a bad thing if we miss the playoffs this year and maybe even next year and get those draft pieces or are they going to go like old school flyers and try and pull off a big trade or a free agent signing? It doesn't work. I don't get the sense. that they are disillusioned by that, like that they can go out and find these players,

like to get one on the free agent market, to trade for one. It's incredibly difficult to do almost 75 to 80% of free agent signings end up being a mistake. A trade is a different conversation and the flyers have some really interesting assets, but think about the mission and mandate that we just talked about,

find one of those foundational pillars to build the rest of your team around, who's giving one of those guys up? I don't see it on the trade market. Maybe you get lucky and you find someone that's undervalued and they grow into it. But it's a difficult conversation and I just, I don't, I guess maybe one of the other confusing parts is I don't really understand a lot of their messaging. What do they think this team is? Do they think this team is competitive, Scrappy, hungry, fun to watch. Like, what is it that they're shooting for this season? Because I'm not sure that they know.

We're speaking of Frank Sarah Valley from Victory Plus here on the Halford and Brough Show on SportsNet 650. Frank, I want to turn our attention to Utah, phrase that I don't often utter on this program. But a lot of good things going on in Utah, despite the loss, snapping their win streak to Edmonton last night. Their tops in the Western Conference. And this morning made a pretty big splash. eight years, $80 million extension with Logan Cooley,

the 21-year-old forward, taken third overall in the 2022 NHL entry draft. So it's eight years, $10 million per $80 million. It's a big contract for an exciting young player. And it's exciting times for a mammoth team that looks like they're going to be contenders, at least not just to be in the playoffs, but maybe it makes some noise if they do get there this season.

And to add this extension on top of it, I mean, it's a massive. coup. I reported a few weeks back and we've obviously talked about it a couple times, but Logan Cooley turned down eight years times 9.6. To get him to blink at 10, I mean, it's not really that much more money. I mean, I know for us mere mortals, if someone hands you an additional $4 million by waiting, sure. I mean, that's awesome. But it's the overall swing in the deal is very small. This deal is interesting. It doesn't have any signing bonus. It is front-loaded. I'm surprised that three weeks into the season, four weeks into the season, that this is what got him to jump.

And the only thing that I can come to before, obviously this just broke in the five minutes before I joined the show, the only thing I can come to having not made the calls yet is that he has seen the product on the ice for this team that is, tops in the Western Conference, or at least tied with the Colorado Avalanche, and are sitting here saying, I want to be part of this. This is the place where I know I want to hang my hat, and if it means taking slightly less than what I could get if we wait, that I want to just get it done and get it over with. The team Utah played yesterday, the Edmonton Oilers. We saw them in Vancouver over the weekend, and we've had a few conversations about them. How do you think they're feeling about the guys on the wing right now in emminton i mean they're happy they got

mcdavid and dry sidel but to me this team doesn't look as strong as the ones in the last couple of years i get where you're feeling that um i would say that through 10% or 12% of the season uh there's still a lot to be sorted out when it comes to the oilers uh they have not looked very did. Obviously, McDavid getting his second goal last night. This was the slowest stretch to start his career at any point, one goal in the first 10 games. I do think this team is going to look a lot different when Zach Hyman returns in a few days' time. And beyond that, I think one thing it's fair to point out the wingers and what does this construction look or feel like. This defense core in Edmonton is better than they've ever had. This is the best that it's been through

the McDavid and Dry Settle era, obviously fits and starts with Jake Wallman, but when he's been in, this team looks like a different team and their ability to move the puck. And so I would say give that some time to work itself out. Before we let you go, Montreal, we've talked about him a bit this morning. David Amber brought them up thanks to that Cole Coffield winner in Seattle last night. We saw them come through here a couple nights ago. young, talented, fun team to watch and obviously they're on the rise. What does General Manager Kent Hughes

have on the horizon? Because with this line egg injury and him being out long term, if I'm not mistaken, they had a bunch of cap space to play with prior to that. So what are you foreseeing for Montreal moving forward? Well, they're also one of those teams that's in the market

for beefing up their team down the middle. I mean, they would be one of the teams that's in on Nazim Cadre if he becomes available. they're looking for increased center support and can move out because of their embarrassment of riches on the blue like they've got a number of defensemen

that would probably be in other teams NHL lineups so they can deal from that position of strength you're right they've been an incredibly fun team to watch and I think this team is for real I don't think the Montreal Canadians are a team that made the playoffs last year ahead of schedule

and are satisfied to sit back and say, hey, we're going to, you know, pull a Buffalo Sabres, get close to the playoffs, and then next year fall 15 points back. That's not in their designs. And beyond that, I think the way this Atlantic Division particularly is open, wide open,

I'm telling you right now, and you can write it down in Sharpie, the Montreal Canadiens are knocking off one of the big boys in the Atlantic Division that we've expected or has, been in the conversation for years, whether it's Tampa, Florida, Toronto, one of those teams, they're finishing in the top three. Frank, this was awesome, buddy. Thanks for taking the time to do this today. As always. We appreciate it. Enjoy the rest of the week and all the

games this weekend. We'll do this again next week. You too. See you guys. Thanks, buddy. Appreciate it. That's Frank Sarah Valley on Sportsnet 650. A presentation of Angry Otter Liquor. Plus program members save for game days at Angry Outer Licker. Stock up on Canadian-made favorites ready to enjoy. before a puck drop, visit angry otterlicker.cr.s for more. Peter and Cloverdale texts in to the Dunbar Lumber text message in basket. Hey, what's

the Philadelphia Flyers slogan for this year? I don't know if this is it, but Rick Tocket tried to work his way through something last night that might be considered the workings of a slogan? I don't know. Well, why don't you tell the listeners what happened in the Flyers Penguins

game? Because I know you're watching and it was pretty chaotic. Flyers' Penguins game was madness. So it went to overtime. I'll start in overtime. It went to overtime. And if Jenny Malkin scored an overtime for the Penguins, and everyone's like,

huzzah, the Penguins have won. Hold on. Penguins did not win because in one of the most illegal line changes of all time, there was a delayed penalty on the play. So R.D. C. Loves made his way to the Penguins bench. Malkin jumped on the ice. I don't know. Seelovs was at his own blue line.

Like he wasn't even close. Yeah, he was going on for Seelofs. However, however, the penguins weren't called for too many men on the ice penalty. They just disallowed the goal. They went back. They played the rest of overtime. Nothing got sorted out. Because there was also a penalty that was being called on the flyers at that point.

It was a delayed penalty. That's why Seelves was coming to the match. So they managed to survive the power play and whatever. They go to the shootout. Before the shootout, There's a full-blown scrap between the two teams. Now, Zegaris was yapping, and then I can't remember who slashed one of the penguins, but there was a bunch of, there was a lot of, like, fisticuffs going on.

And then there was a bunch of mess about who got penalties going into the shootout. It took like 20 minutes to get to the shootout. The game took like five hours to play, as far as I could tell. Eventually, Philly gets this very emotional win in the shootout, and your boy, Bobby Brank, has a pretty sick angle on his shootout goal, so they win in the aftermath and Brough astutely pointed this out on Twitter there's nothing better than when Rick Talkett goes down the road

the analogy road and then just kind of it hits a dead end really quick yeah he just he's like he's on the right path and then suddenly he runs out of runway well we'll just play the audio for you and there's another classic Rick Tocket metaphor Rick obviously you've had a very long NHL career so you've been through this sort of team-building thing before.

When a situation happens like what happened at the end of overtime, where you have guys jumping in to defend other guys, how much stock do you put in the idea that that can build a team, bring a team together? Yeah, no, it's a good question because, you know, listen, the game's not, you know, what are they called the stage fighting and all that's gone. But I think, you know, that pack mentality, you know, you eat together as a pack.

You know, if you're the lone wolf, you're going to get, you're done. But Pack lives, you know, they have a chance to live, you know, I think it's philosophical or anything. But I just believe in that stuff, right? So, you know, whether it's Trevor Zegro's jump in or, you know, I was Deloree, or it seems like everybody's jumping in to help out, you know. And we're, you know, we're preaching discipline, too. We're not being stupid.

I just think we're just sticking together. And I think that's a good thing. Sticking together is what good waffles do. The best part of that clip, aside from the waffles, there's a good one, is what he's like, I don't want to get philosophical. and I was like, there was no risk of that. That's not philosophy. The pack mentality will eat the elephant

and hopefully find it along the way. And we'll stick together with the wolf pack and then we'll live everyone. Anyway, this is getting away from me. Rick, follow a question. What the hell are you on? All right, it's time now for one to watch. Brats you by Limitless AV, Vancouver's most trusted

audio visual integration experts. Tonight's one to watch. a two-time award winner. Spoiler, there's no award. Trey Yosavich. He's going to get the ball in another huge situation for the Toronto Blue Jays tonight. The rookie righty is going to start game five.

They made the announcement prior to game four the fifth start of the playoffs for Yosavage and the second of this World Series. This is a guy you will remember that made his MLB debut in September and prior to the postseason had a grand total of three major league starts. in the biggest game of his very short career,

he's going to the bump for the Jays. Two and one record in these playoffs. Not a great ERA, 426, although a lot of that had to do with the one bad start that he had against the Mariners. But here's the interesting one. All four of his previous postseason starts, Greg, have come at home, the Rogers Center.

First test on the road. Now in the unfriendly confines of Chavez Ravine. We'll see what Trayy Savage can do tonight. as the Jays look to take, and I can't believe I'm saying this, a three-two series lead and to go back to the Rogers Center with two chances to win the World Series at home.

Do you know why the Dodgers lost yesterday? They did not score as many runs as the Toronto Blue Jays. I noticed that. I noticed that. Megan Markle was there. Well, so was Harry. Well, of course, she had them on a leash. I thought they lived on the island.

What were they doing in L.A.? Just a quick skip down. They're wearing Dodgers hats. I know. What are you thinking? There were a lot of celebrities in attendance last night. Did you notice that? Jason Bateman was there.

Flea was there. Mary Hart is there. Mary Hart is there. She is dialed in. Does not live that seat. She is there steady the entire time. Your mom was there? Yep.

She's at all the events. All the events. She actually was. Yes, she was. She was going tonight as well. That's amazing. Yeah, that's pretty good. She sits next to Mary Hart.

Those are good seats. Yeah, those are good seats. Was the Marlins? guy there yesterday. Marlin's guy was there. Celebrities. Is he a lawyer? I don't want to know what he is. I think he might be a lawyer. I've seen him enough in my lifetime. I don't need to know any more information.

Does he have a large social media, like his own social media empire? Because he's recording everything on his phone. I think he just has his own personal accounts that he likes to push out there. Anyway, this is supposed to be the one to watch. Brought to by Limitless AV, Vancouver's most trusted audiovisual integration experts, specializing in seamless video conferencing

solutions and hybrid workspaces. your personalized tour of their experience center today. Visit them online at limitlessav.ca.com. We've also got a BC Lions announcement for you, although you knew this. This Saturday, November 1st, your BC Lions take on the Calgary Stampeders in the West semifinal. Secure your tickets today at BCLions.com.

I can't do any more. You got to stop yelling at me. We can't do any more things. It's just a joke. We can't do one more thing. This is a giveaway. Coming up in three minutes time, we're going to be doing our $250 gift card giveaway to Golf Town.

This is in conjunction with their demo event, Canada's largest demo club sale. It gets underway online tomorrow. And then the in-store event, November 1st and 2nd, at all 48 Golf Town locations. Be caller number 5. Lucky caller number 5, 604-280-650. That number again, 604-280-650. Call it 730 on the nose. be caller number five for a $250 gift card to Golf Town.

You're listening to The Halford & Brough Show on SportsNet 650. Hey, it's Jamie Dodd and Thomas Strance. Get your daily dose of Canucks Talk with us weekdays from 12 to 2 on Sportsnet 650. Or catch up on demand through your favorite podcast app. It's borderline miraculous. I'll tell you this. Sometimes the baseball gods, they pick a team. they choose a team and it's beginning to feel like the season is the blue jays we can't doubt them we just can't doubt them

they had every reason to quit they had every reason to just pack it up and go home they came out swinging and fighting 735 on a wednesday happy wednesday everybody halford gruff sports net 650 that voice you heard coming back from break sports net blue jays analyst caleb joseph talking about this team of destiny maybe there's still a lot to be here? Who's your favorite Jay who's not a star? Ernie Clement. I love Ernie. He's a star. Come on. Ernie Clement is not a star. He's a star. Star is doing a lot

of heavy lifting there. Bernie Clement's a star. Gold glove potential winner. Ernie Clement might have been a star hockey player. Did everyone see that making the round? 74 goals and 70 games in high school. Damn. I looked up his elite prospects page. Dude could fill it. He undersold how good he is. Yeah, I know. He'd always be like, I

dabbled in hockey a little bit. I always love those guys. He scored over goal per game. Awesome. at two sports. Super. Great. Congrats. Look at you.

So happy for you. Probably could have gone pro in a couple of sports. How nice for you. Okay. Who's yours? Do you have one? Is it Alejandro Kirk?

I think he's a star, man. He was literally an all star. Yeah, he's a star. How many stars? Once again, star appears to be doing a lot of heavy lifting here. Go through the line. Okay, like Vladdy's a star. Bo's a star.

Springer's a star. Yep. And then. Gossman? No, no, no, I'm talking about like Kevin Don't Comey Juan, Guzman, Gossmann, yeah, I guess we can include pictures. I was just mostly talking about the

the battery or whatever. Not the battery. I just love that. I love that going to Napalia. He was like, and now the battery. The battery is the picture. I know. I don't know what is Barger?

A star? Not yet, but he hasn't played long. On the verge. It's like you savage. Like, he's a potential blossoming star. but he also might just be a very average run-of-the-mill starting pitcher, which is not a bad

thing. Getting to the majors and having a good career as being a Chris Bassett type guy, right? A good, not great. Who knows what's going to happen? If this is your entrance to the league. Barger has star tools, though, does it not? I mean, that arm is ridiculous. Did you see that? I don't know how many

major leaguers can do this, but Barger was in the infield at Rogers Center and throwing balls to the fans in the outfield. He was just throwing it over the wall. How many can do that, though? Is that like common or is that unusual?

Not everyone. Did you see the numbers on his toss to home? 99 miles an hour? Insane. Didn't he say? I was like, is that Jesse Barfield back in right field? Do you have any references beyond 1989? No.

Okay. Did you see Barger? I don't know who liked in the quote was talking about after that 18-80s. inning game that if he went on the hill, he was ready to go pitch because he thinks he can throw a hundred? I don't know if he, because when he threw 99, he put his full body into it. He's throwing from the outfield. You get to take a running start at him. It's a weird wind. You might not be able to top 100 from the mound. But anyway, back to your original point with the stars. I think in this series and honestly in the Yankee series as well, that was the

great divide was that it was the, and not surprisingly, from a team from New York and a team from L.A., the big, glitzy, glamorous markets and their highly paid star, superstar players, the Jays kind of slot in below that outside of Vladia. And let's not forget, Vladie makes superstar, superstar money with the Aaron Judges and the show Hey Otanis of the world. He's in that class. And he's performed this year. But the rest of the lineup, like, again, calling Alejandro Kirk a star player is that's, I know

he made an all-star game. Good teams have lots of star players on him. But he's not a star player. He's a guy. The best thing I saw is that he's built like Waluigi. He's awesome. He looks like a rugby player.

There's a lot of corgi comparisons. Yes, a lot of corgi comparisons to his legs are really Come on, guys, let's not do this. He's low to the ground. It's not bad of the shame, all right? We're not. Corgis are awesome. Corgi's are amazing.

Waloichi is awesome. Yeah. The queen loved her corgis. I don't get that. I think you're thinking of Wario. Woloigi's the tall one. Wario. I was thinking of Wario.

I heard Josh Naylor had Wario energy. That would be the better. Yeah, that's true too, actually. I can see him curl in a mustache. Angry, yeah. Yeah. Evil Josh Naylor, staring into your soul. Has anyone been watching from the Dodgers side of thing?

Like, is Mookie Betts getting heat soon? Yeah. Because he's been bad all playoff, hitting right behind. Especially in this series. And, you know, the Dodgers were lucky that he won that 18 inning game because he went one for eight. It was awful every time that Otani got walked either intentionally or other

and then last night one for four not making an impact you know when you hit behind Otani there is a massive responsibility that you deliver and it's not like mooky bets is getting paid five bucks an hour as the kids say low key

low key the bats aren't great for the Dodgers right now they only mustered six hits yesterday I think only one was of the extra base variety and Betz has been a disappointment. The biggest story for me yesterday was just making Otani ordinary because so much, so much of the 18-inning game

was about the historic heroic performance that he put forth and then how scared the Jays were to pitch to him. And I thought that was a great message from Bieber, from Schneider. I know they walked him in his first step back, but they didn't intentionally walk him. They pitched to him. But being able to sit him down, I think mentally it's just one of those things

where the Jays are like, yeah, we're just going to go out and play. We're going to do the same things that we've done all year. We're not going to alter our approach, especially to this guy, in a game where he, I mean, he killed the Jays

in that 18- inning game. Like it was, it was almost unfair. And they responded in kind. They pitched around him and it certain times didn't pitch to him at all. Have they pushed him too far, though, you think? Like, he had to have the trainers come out last game. Not last game, but the game before,

the 18- inning game, he had the trainers come out. It's like when Drago gets cut. In the rocket fight. to pitch and also hit. That's a lot on his plate for that. I just feel like he's played a lot of games this season. It's a great point to bring up because I did wonder, after an 18 inning game,

most guys like are going to be exhausted. And most guys aren't asked to pitch and hit after that. And he played the entirety of that 18 inning game. D-Hed. Yeah, but he was on base nine times, right? Like I think maybe that was the reason they intentionally walked him so much was to tire him out. All those trots up to first base.

But do we need to be. reminded that it is baseball. Anything can happen. No, no, no. It's baseball. Like, is it hard to run the bases once or twice? I mean, it was more of a light jog? I mean, a slow pitch, I am pretty out of breath.

Did you see Vladia? There was a couple times where they started the runner, and I think the hitter fouled it off or something like that. And you can tell the second time, he was like laughing. He was like, I don't have a lot of this. Don't care for this. He's exhausted at second. Mark and White Rock with a great text.

You guys should definitely declare you Savage a star already after a few good starts signed Ricky Romero and Alec Manoa yeah that's not okay I get what you're saying I don't want to do I mean I know I got Cy Young votes and then he fell off the map yeah but that's the thing that's his point I think that's his point I know but I just say like you can be a star and then fall off the map it happens yeah but I think it's the danger star in that moment it's the danger of anointing someone too soon is that that's baseball you never know what's going to happen right okay let's get to some of these other NHL stories I felt like we lost over this a little too fast.

And I know David Amber kind of ran with it during our interview, but Connor Bedard yesterday. Shout out to North Vancouver's very own, Connor Bedard, three goals and an assist in his first career hat trick in the national hockey league. Goodos to you, Connor. 7-3 win for the Blackhawks over the senators

on Tuesday night. Here's what the hat trick sounded like. Face off of the offensive zone for the Hawks. There's a shot. They're all. He scores. A hat-trick goal for Connor Bernard. And here comes the hats. That's our good buddy Rick Ball on the call there

as Connor Bedard gets the hat trick for the Blackhawks So Bedard's now up to 12 points Through 10 games this season Six goals and 10 games Pretty good Having a very good year I am tied with Kiefer Sherwood Six goals

Yeah Not a big deal Kiefer Sherwood right there with Bedard Okay so we talked about Nick Suzuki potentially making the Canadian Olympic team Connor Bardard is definitely putting his best foot forward

to be in that mix I don't know if he'll ultimately get there. I don't think Macklin might, but I don't know if Connor will. Perfect segue. We didn't even plan this. This is how good our chemistry is. Watch the sharks last night. Because one, I love a chaotic late start.

That game started at 8.15 Pacific. So if you were a fan, somehow, a fan on the East Coast and you wanted to watch the sharks and kings last night, that game started at 1115, your time. The sharks absolutely dominated the Kings in every facet of that game, except the most important one which is goals in the back of the net because the Los Angeles Kings won four three

despite being the Kings got out shot 41 to 14 so I watched a game that's crazy for the sharks to outplay what are the kings this year they were tired they were at the end of the trip they looked like a thousand years old last night

they look so old and so tired and part of that was because the sharks have all these good young players obviously there's Will Smith there's Celebrini Michael Misa the second overall pick this year. And Willie McClend,

there's rolling these young guys line after line and they're just flying around. Brian Dumlin's like, God, they're all so fast. That's all he kept saying. Joel Edmondson, he's like, these guys are really fast.

Maclin Celebrini is such a talented player, but also, and I know this might sound cliche, it's all the tiny little things that he does, the body positioning, the anticipation, the awareness,

where it's not, just oh he's getting by because he's good and young and fast and super high energy like he's very savvy for a player of his age and his lack of experience I really wonder if hockey Canada is going to take a look and be like do we bring him along and I harken all the way back to the 2010 Olympics when they took it then 20 year old drew doubting who played last night by the way and they're like let's see let's see if and taves was the same way let's see if the moment's too big, because if it's not, and he rises to the occasion, suddenly you've got another layer of offensive ability as a center, a two-way guy. And there is something to be said

for bringing a young player into the mix. It gives you that shot in the arm. Yeah. And it kind of... Drew Dowdy in 2010, I think about it. It invigorates the old guys, is what it does. And it really makes... Didn't they famously not bring Sid to Italy? Yeah, which was a huge mistake. And Eric Stahl that year because Eric Stahl was a bona fide star and we're not using the term lately. He was a Stanley Cup winner and 100 point guy. I don't remember those games at all. The 06

Olympics in Italy? The 06 Olympics. They went old. They went like Jovinovsky Bertuzi. I'm not picking on the Kinnock guys with Knox ties. I think I was just less interested after they won the gold and Salt Lake and the time zone thing is a thing and that team they were great.

Yeah, they weren't very good. But I wonder back to the current iteration I really wonder if Celebrini is going to make it and I don't know how much of our listeners watch Sharks games right now they're hilarious to watch they have to try so hard to score goals because they are a wreck in net

and defensively I wonder if Celebrini got any I don't want to say marching orders but I wonder if the coaching staff went to him like Lizamann like I know you play for the Sharks but like if you play for Canada the stakes are a lot higher

so if we're going to put you on this team we have to be sure to trust you so maybe here are some things to work on because it's kind of a chaotic atmosphere that he's playing in in San Jose if that makes sense right? No I understand that like they do have to chase offense a lot

a lot and he gets a lot of things and opportunities that you wouldn't get on like this would be on us a good team right well yeah I mean it's the same with Badard right they've never been in a situation where the little things do really matter because the team is so good. I mean, if you go up against, like, you know,

Badard or Salabrini, if they make a mistake, I don't think it's like a big deal. Like, it's not like the media is just going to be, you know, in Chicago or San Jose or even the coaching staff is going to be like, you know, we were one game away for winning the Stanley Cup and you made that mistake.

You make a mistake in the Olympics. It's a big deal. It's a big deal, but I'm with you. I would bring, if I could, if I could find a spot for Celebrini, I'd bring them. I hate saying this because I like both players a lot, and I both want them to eventually play for the Vancouver Canucks, and I don't want to make either one mad. Don't be mad, Connor, don't be mad, but I'd take Celebrini over Bedard at this point.

Then even worse. Of course, most people would. His game is more mature right now, I think. He's by far the better player of the two. I don't think by far is, no, no. He's so much more dominant on the ice. By far is unfair. By far as on...

Badard's playing really well this year. Yeah, he's playing good. Really well. I mean, Celebrity... He's playing well. Yes. He's playing super good at the moment. Well, at the moment part of the case. Okay, what's next for the Canucks?

Because we should talk about their next opponent. And that is the St. Louis Blues. Those guys stink. Tomorrow. Yeah. The Blues, of course, in game three of the season for the Canucks, came into Rogers Arena and dominated the Canucks. And I would say the most concerning performance of the year.

Now, a lot of stuff has happened since October 13th and the Blues winning that game 5 to 2. Like a lot more injuries, Quinn Hughes out, Connor Garland. We don't know what the status is, but I imagine for Garland to leave a game he didn't play the third last night against New York Rangers in a game where they really could have used him in the third period. So I'm anticipating that that's, I'm not hopeful that he's going to play tomorrow. in St. Louis. It's a three-game road chip, Thursday in St. Louis, Saturday in Minnesota, Monday in Nashville. So there is a day off between all the games. But is there time to practice? Is there time to adequately rest? What is this team even going to look like if there's no Garland, there's no Heedle, there's no Queen Hughes? Like up front, you're looking at, man, I guess

Kiefer Sherwood probably gets bumped into the top six, which is, is not necessarily a problem, but it takes, for the top six, I mean, but it takes Sherwood out of the bottom six, and then all of a sudden you're looking at the bottom six and going, okay, well, are they going to play just two lines against the blues? Possibly.

Now, the blues have issues of their own. Blues are a mess. So, of concern, you mentioned that that loss that the Canucks suffered to the blues a couple weeks ago. I think the most distressing part is, with hindsight being 20-20, that's the best the blues have looked

all year. That's their Mona Lisa right now is that game against the Canucks because otherwise they have stunk. They are 3-6 and 1. They lost last night to the Red Wings 5-2. Now the five goals they allowed that's an important statistic because the Blues have lost their

last five and have allowed at least five goals in those five games and all six of their regulation losses this year. They can't keep the pocket out of their net. Joel Hofer is having a nightmare of a season. saw it like Bennington has tons better

either. And that's the issue that they've got is they kind of keep trying to push Hofer into the net so that he can get his game right and he can't. Hofer. Oh, Hofer. So then they got to go to... What are you watching? Gophers. Also... Am I seen that right? He has a 793

save percentage? Joel Hofer. Yeah, he's... 793. So... He's playing in 1983. Yeah, and he sucks by those standards. He... He went... They went back to Hofer last night, And Montgomery said prior to the game, like we're going to have to push him through this.

We acknowledge that he's struggling, but we need for him to get his game back. He's too talented. And then he promptly went out there and showed that he might not be. Also, the injuries for the Blues. Jake Neighbors, please won't you be my neighbors, now on injured reserve. With a right leg injury, he's going to be on five weeks.

Robert Thomas, so smooth. He's out with an upper body injury. It doesn't appear as though that is going to be as long as the neighbor's injury, but their first line That's their one C Their first line center is now Pew Souter I'm serious

He was the one C He's like I'm back Yeah And your boy Jimmy Snuggaroo And again you want to talk about guys that had An outstanding game Against the Canucks

And then haven't done anything since You can put him in that conversation He was great against the Canucks that game I'm more of a Bobby Brink guy now Yeah You love the Americans Which is weird Because I thought you were an elbows up guy

But you love your American You're two for two I just like... It's just a great name. Bobby Brink. Bobby Brink and Jimmy Snuggaroo. That's awesome. Granted, I will give you.

Those are awesome names. Bobby and Jimmy. What's Bobby Brinks' nickname? I don't know. The truck. Brinksie? The truck. Oh, I like that.

A truck. Back it up, Bobby. I don't know what to expect from the blues. And Jimmy Snuggarood's name is of nickname is, of course, Snuggles. Yeah, Snuggles. You know what his nickname is. They said it 9,000 times on the Amazon Broadcast. Jimmy Snipes.

Oh, Jimmy Snipes. Oh, Jimmy Snipes. Yeah. Right. That was pretty much all they did on the Amazon broadcast. I don't like that they've ignored the whole snug part of that. Yeah. You know, like that has to be in there.

You would think. Jimmy Snipes is lame. Yeah. Snuggly's way better. Although Jimmy Snipes and Bobby Brink sound like bank robbers. It's true. Jimmy Snipes would be a great nickname if he was a terrible shooter. Like if he never hit the net, Jimmy Snipes.

That would be a funny nickname. That is true. That is true. Okay, we're up against it for time. Like no, nice hands, no hands. Yeah. Wait a wide. Before we go to break, I need to tell you that this entire segment you just heard of the Halford & Brough Show on SportsNet 650 was brought to you by the chat room at Tyrant Studios.

Join Joe Leary and special guest this Sunday afternoon at 12 noon for Vancouver's coolest talk show. The chat room at Tyrant Studios, you can hear it all right here on SportsNet 650. Before we go to break, a couple things I need to tell you about. One, we're giving away our final pair of Foo Fighters. tickets. Food fighters. Coming up at 8 o'clock. B caller number 5 at 8 a.m. The number 604, 280, 0650.

That number again, 604, 280, 0, 650. That's coming up right at 8 a.m. And then after that, we are going to speak with Randipe Janda. The Canucks color analyst on Sportsnet 650 is going to join us here after the Canucks 2-0-0 loss to the New York Rangers last night at Rogers Arena. There's a big final hour coming up. Don't go anywhere. You're listening to the health.

Alfred Inbrough Show on Sportsnet, 650.