Halford & Brough in the Morning - Every Remaining Canucks Game Is The Biggest Game Of The Year

Episode Date: March 20, 2025

In hour two, Jason Brough and guest host Jamie Dodd chat with The Athletic St. Louis' Jeremy Rutherford (1:04), as they get set to host the Canucks this evening, plus they preview tonight's Concacaf Nations League semi-finals matchup between Canada and Mexico, as Sportsnet & Footy Prime soccer analyst James Sharman (24:10) joins the show. 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.

Welcome back to Alfred and Bruff Sportsnet 650. Jamie Dodd filling in for Mike Halford on the show. Thrash Thursday here on the show. Halford and Bruff is brought to you by the DeLari family of Honda dealers. Experience the DeLari difference today. Visit your nearest DeLari Honda dealer today. This hour is brought to you by Jason.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. That's Jason dot mortgage. We're coming to you live from the Kintec studio, Kintec footwear and orthotics, working together with you in step.

It's the Canucks versus the Blues in a massive game in St. Louis this afternoon. Joining us now to chat about that and the Canucks opponent tonight, he covers the Blues for the athletic. He is Jeremy Rutherford. Jeremy, thanks for doing this today. How are you? Hey, real good. Thanks. Anytime, guys. Yeah, so the the Blues playing some pretty impressive hockey right now. They've got on a hot streak. Has it started to catch on with the fan base in St. Louis? What are the vibes from fans that you get this sense of right now watching this team making a push to try to make the playoffs in the Western Conference? Yeah, for sure. It's definitely caught on, but I think it's more surprise than anything.

A lot of times when you think about teams that didn't look like they'd be a playoff team, maybe December, January, and then they went on to have some success. You think about that Blues team in 2019 when they went on to win the Stanley Cup. So I think that some fans are reminiscing to those days. I think everybody is in agreement that this team is nowhere near the talent level that we had in 2019 here in St. Louis. But nonetheless, to make this late season push and have a chance to make the playoffs after what didn't look like it would be a playoff year, and this continues to be a retool in St. Louis is pretty exciting for these fans.

How are they scoring so many goals? It's been a different team. It really has. You know, the old cliche, defense to, creates a scoring chances and, and the goals. And I think that's what's happened here a little bit in St. Louis, but I'll give you something anecdotal is without the four nations break. I don't know that this blues team is in this position that they've put themselves in because what happened was not only did a couple of guys like a Pavel

Bucznewicz and a Robert Thomas get healthy And then they came back and they've really found their offense. But also they did some work in practice, which you guys know, you know, when you got some extended time, a few days, they had a lot of guys here in town for that second week and they had some practices and they worked on the four check and that's been a point of emphasis since they've come back from the break. And so I think what's happened here is they're getting in on the four check and they're creating some zone time. Other other teams changing.

And so they don't have to play a ton of defense, but when they do, they're getting the puck out quick and this isn't a defense that's going to wow you when you see, you know, the names like a Nick Letty, a Justin Falk, a Cam Fowler, who kind of people thought might be towards the end of, uh, you know, his run after that good time in Anaheim. And I think what's happened here is these guys are just killing plays when the puck is in their zone. This is 14 straight games now coming into tonight's game against Vancouver, 14 straight games where the blues have allowed 30 shots or fewer.

It's, it's been 22, 23, 24. So the puck isn't in their zone a lot. And to answer your question, scoring a lot of goals because they're playing in the offensive end. And I can imagine that week of practice around the four nations, probably especially important for the blues considering they made the coaching change earlier in the season. How would you say, how would you describe the identity that Jim Montgomery has established as the new coach of this team?

Yeah, that's a great point. And I think you're right there. It did give him some extra time to have some regular practices, which you can't have on the fly when you're playing every other day after you take over in November, like he did. As far as the identity, the one thing to keep in mind is this, he was an assistant coach in St. Louis for two years under Craig Brubbe before he took the Boston job. So there was already some familiarity. And in fact, Jordan Kairou, Robert Thomas, Pavel Buchnevich, they had some of their best offensive numbers when Jim Montgomery was here coaching the forwards as an assistant coach. So he comes in, he's got automatic equity. They've got a relationship with those types of players. But I think what changed when Jim Montgomery came in is that he really started to preach, preach,

preach the details and the habits. And it took a while, as you would expect. But, you know, week after week, there was a lot of inconsistency. And then suddenly, it came. And so I think some of the things that Jim Montgomery has wanted to see from this team. Yeah, they might not be a top five team in the Western Conference or a top 10 or 12 team in the league, but if you can play with the details and the habits that they continued to preach, you started to see some results. And then it really got emphasized during that break

and happened after that. So was Doug Armstrong just trying to put a scare into the team ahead of the trade deadline because the Blues, there's a lot of talk. The Braden Shen, I heard a lot of analysis about Braden Shen out of Toronto. There were other guys, Jordan Kairou, whose names came up and then the Blues ended up doing nothing.

Yeah, it was a really precarious spot in terms of, you got the old cliches, are you a buyer or a US seller? Well, the blues with them being in the retool and they've got some good young players coming up with Delevoe Dvorsky scored his 20th goal last night in the AHL, Jimmy Snuggerud. He was on that big 10 first team at the University of Minnesota. So you got to what they think is a bright future. But in the meantime, they've said, Hey, we're not tearing it down to the studs. We want to have people in the seats. We want to be competitive.

We want to have a chance to make the playoffs. They've missed the playoffs two years in a row. If they missed this year, it would be the third year in a row and it would match the longest in franchise history. They've never missed four years in a row. So this is going to tie if they missed the longest stretch in franchise history. So I think when you got to that trade deadline, it's like, okay, do we try to maximize what we could

with our assets here, like the Braden Shen, trade him and continue to build for the future, or do we have a chance here to make the playoffs? And honestly, I think that's kind of what fueled this team to go on the run that it's gone on, what nine, two and two since the break, 10, two and two overall the break ten two and two overall

and they played really good hockey so i think bring chen was a huge part of that i think that there was probably an opportunity for him to be if you wanted to get a no trade clause but the quote that he gave us uh... around trade deadline time is i didn't want to walk on my teammates so uh... they're really all invested right now and as you guys know when you have a team playing like that, that togetherness that really fuels you. A big part of the St. Louis Blues offseason of course going back to last summer was the double offer sheet success getting Broberg and Holloway out of Edmonton.

And both guys have performed but I want to focus on Dylan Holloway specifically. of course, goes to St. Louis, gets way more ice time, a significantly bigger opportunity than he had gotten in Edmonton, and he has rewarded that opportunity with 54 points in 69 games this year. What has allowed him to enjoy a breakout season in his first year with the Blues? Yeah, I think it's the opportunity. And just for some context here, when that was done, the offer sheets and those two came to St. Louis, all the talk here, like, when that was done, the offer sheets and those two came to St. Louis, all the talk here was about Philip Broberg. Dylan Holloway seemed to be a little bit of an afterthought because, you know, is he going to be a third line center, a third line forward? Is that his ceiling? But he has come here and because

you don't have the superstars that they have in Edmonton, he's gotten top six minutes and he's run with it. And he's a guy who, you know, I don't know, you know, the listeners are super familiar just with his work ethic, but he's on the ice at least 45 minutes or an hour after almost every single practice. And you know, one time we were, we were doing an interview with Jim Montgomery and he heard some pucks in the background at the Blues little shooter station at their practice facility and he said it's probably Dylan Holloway. And I had one of the PR guys go in the back and check and he came back out and he said,

yeah, it's Dylan. So, you know, this is a guy who wants to be as good as he can be in the national hockey league. And so he's no longer an afterthought here in St. Louis. He's definitely a guy who they have penciled into the top six. He's playing on a line right now with Braden Shen and Jordan Cairo. They had a two on one, Cairo and Holloway a couple nights ago in Nashville.

And it's just the speed between those two. So I think that people are excited about Dylan Holloway. And I think the reason he's having success is because he's been given that opportunity. And the most interesting part about all that is Broberg and his agent really wanted to do the offer sheet. Holloway was roped into it, was unsure of whether he should do it, interesting part about all that is, Broberg and his agent really wanted to do the offer sheet. Holloway was roped into it, was unsure of whether he should do it, but went along with

it because they felt if they did both of them, they could have a better chance at getting both of them and they did and now Holloway has really benefited from it. In talking to those guys when they signed their offer sheets, was it hard for them to do that? Because we often hear in the offer sheet debate, you know, whether teams should do it or GM should do it. But I always want to remind people like those players have to sign those contracts. So they essentially have to risk really angering the team that they're on currently

because that team could match and then things could get awkward with that team. Yeah, I think that's definitely something to consider. that they're on currently because that team could match and then things could get awkward with that team. Yeah, I think that's definitely something to consider and something to think about. Now that we're talking about it, I think David Backus signed one with Vancouver years ago and then St. Louis matched, or at least there was some interest there. And David came back and he was the captain of the Blues

for many years and loves. So I can see it going both ways with Roburg and Holloway. I think as you guys probably know, Roburg kind of felt like he was being toyed with a little bit in Edmonton, not getting as much times and games as he hoped to get. And so he was really looking for a fresh start. In fact, asked for a trade. So I think his was a different situation. He probably wasn't worried, concerned too much about angering the team, the fan base there, just because he was looking for more opportunity. And like I said, with Holloway, he was kind of roped into it.

His agent, I believe, only represents one other player in the NHL and he's in the AHL on an AHL contract. So he had a situation where I don't think that his agent was too familiar with, you know, what they were doing and what they were trying to do. But once Broberg's agent came to him and said, Hey, we have an opportunity here. They jumped on it. So I think that at that point he saw more opportunity as well. And then also look, he's going to get paid. I think he comes on a what 2.4 AAV, Dylan Holloway with the offer sheet.

And he's going to be able to sign an extension beginning this off season and with these numbers that he's put up and his age just being 20, this could be an eight year deal for quite a bit of money. So he's really, really improved his situation with this thing that he did by jumping to the blues. So speaking of long-term deals, I want, I want to

talk a bit about Jordan Kairou because correct me if I'm wrong here, but Kairou is actually in a similar possession, position to Elias Pedersen on the Vancouver Canucks in that this summer he has no trade protection kicking in. He doesn't have it right now, but because of CBA rules, he was only eligible to have it starting this summer. Have the Blues made their final decision on Kyrie? Was the trade deadline

it or is there still a decision to be made this offseason on him? Yeah that's a good question. If you would ask this question a year ago there was so much talk in St. Louis about trade him now before the no trade clause kicks in like you said this coming off season. And I think a lot of fans would have been in favor of that. There was just too much inconsistency, too much lack of responsibility in the defensive end. This year he's really pulled it together. When you, whenever you hear Jordan Tyre's name in St. Louis now, it's all positive. It's about how he's matured on and off the ice. And it's about how people think that he can be a responsible player. So that's the way it shapes up heading into this off season when that no trade clause kicks in. And most people would

expect that they'll remain a blue through that and the clause will kick in. However, you have the hockey trades out there. And I heard the same thing you guys heard, whether it be the past couple of months with the trade deadline or the past year is, do the Blues want to move forward with Jordan Kairou as one of those core pieces as they try to get back and be a contender? And so I wouldn't completely rule it out that if Doug Armstrong came across a deal that he liked, where he could make a hockey trade, you know, he did say after the trade deadline that we were presented with some hockey trades and decided that we just weren't comfortable. You know,

was that Kairou? Was that Jake Neighbors? Who was it? I do know that they probably received some calls on Jake Neighbors as well. So I think it's just going to come down to whether the Blues feel like he can be a guy who you count on when you're building a contender. And the other thing to kind of throw into this is Doug Armstrong, it'll be his final year as the GM and then he's going to turn it over to Alexander Steen. So it's not just what Doug Armstrong thinks, it's what does Alexander Steen think as he takes over as the GM of this team after next season. What is that situation been like because sometimes it can be awkward to have that guy that's like kind of just waiting in the wings to take over. Didn't the Blues do this with their coaching staff at one point too?

Yeah, they've done it a couple times Doug Armstrong himself came in in 2010 as she was a GM and waiting behind Larry Plo. We didn't really see the awkwardness there just because it was behind the scenes. Where we saw the awkwardness was when Ken Hitchcock was here and they brought in Mike Yeoh as the coach in waiting. That was completely awkward and kind of backfired there. So to answer your question about what's that been like, again, with it being a GM, it's kind of behind the scenes. You know, I'm sure there's some people, maybe office types who, hey, are we reporting to Doug? Yeah. But we're

also looking ahead and Alex is going to be the guy. But keep in mind that Doug is going to stay on as president of hockey operations. And while he says that Alex will be in charge of the day to day moves, he'll still have a say in the hockey operations So we'll see so yeah, it's Nothing that's being talked about here in st. Louis just because you know, we don't see it every day But I know that they're having tons of conversations behind the scenes as they try to sculpt this into a team that Alexander stein Once moving forward and not just what Doug Armstrong has wanted. So I was reading the athletics ownership rankings and I noticed that Tom Stillman came in at number five and I was reading some of the comments and blues fans really like their

owner. Now I'm sure winning a Stanley Cup helps and blues fans still remember that fondly, but what is the key to Tom Stillman's popularity in St. Louis? Yeah, I think it's probably twofold. And it's a good observation. Good question. You know, when you think about NHL owners, you probably don't think of St. Louis or people probably outside of St.

Louis don't even know who the owner of the team is. And Tom Stillman's been here as a minority owner first and then took over as the full-time owner in 2012. He's a chairperson of a local investment group. There's about 15 local investors and I think where they really relate to the fan base and gain that popularity is just their openness, their willingness to spend to the cap. They've done that since day one, even though that this is not a major market, they've been willing to spend the money.

Doug Armstrong convinced Tom Stillman years ago that, hey, look, if we can spend this type of money, we can put a competitive team on the ice year in and year out and the blues have been, like I said, this is an organization that went to the playoffs 25 straight years and they've never missed more than three years. So I think that's what Blues fans want. That's what Tom Stillman's given them. And then also, I guess we're going to be totally honest here. They had an owner in staying cranky with the Rams who decided to pick up and move and, and go

to LA. So anytime that you're invested in the community like Tom Stillman's been, you're going to gain points with these St. Louis fans and that's what he's done. Jeremy, just before we let you go, I got to ask about Jordan Bennington. He converted a lot of skeptics up here with his performance in the Four Nations tournament for Canada. How has he performed for St. Louis following that victory for him? How is his game trending as the Blues look to push for the playoffs? Really good. Yeah. You know what? I was, you know, I try not to root for players as reporters. We know you have to stay objective, but I did a few interviews before the four nations.

I did some interviews with some Canadian stations in fact, and I said, listen, he's a game goalie, like he'll rise to the occasion if that's what it takes. And I know after the first couple of four nation games, there was some question marks and, you know, and I felt like, well, shoot, you know, I told these guys that he can play in these big games. And, and so in that gold medal game, when he did that, I was like, see, I thought I knew a little something

about this guy watching them all these years. So, so he played pretty well, obviously in that game since then, for the most part, great. He had a hiccup in Pittsburgh. I think they had to pull them. Uh, but the good thing is they've got Joel Hofer is the backup and they've split the games. Like I think in the 13 games since the four nations, it's seven starts for Bennington, six for whole four. Hofer has held his own and it's allowed Bennington to stay rested. So tonight against Vancouver, you're going to see a allowed Bennington to stay rested. So tonight against Vancouver

You're gonna see a Jordan Bennington that didn't play a couple nights ago in in Nashville I want to say he's a 4-0 with about a 944 save percentage at home in his last four games So played really well at Enterprise Center plays well on the big games as we know and he's a guy who's not playing every single night So should be ready to go tonight against the Canucks. Is Pareko still out? He is out yeah he had the knee scope I think a week and a half two weeks ago they're thinking six weeks total and that could take him out through the end of the regular season although Jim Montgomery yesterday said

he's hoping that he could be back sooner and that goes back to very first question is how are they doing this defensively, especially without their number one defenseman. If you got the answer, tell me. You know, with that group, like I said, they're just getting it done. But as soon as we saw the headline with the Colt Braco out for six weeks, it's like, okay, there goes the playoffs. But, you know, somehow they pulled it together.

Jeremy, really appreciate the time. Great insight. And hopefully it's a good game tonight between the Canucks and the blues. Thanks for doing this. All right. Yep. Hopefully a good game. Thanks guys. Thanks Jeremy. That is Jeremy Rutherford covering the blues for the athletic. And you know, it's funny, he mentioned coming on Canadian radio and not necessarily pumping Bittington's tires, but at least giving him a vote

of confidence. And I'm pretty sure my show was one of the ones that he did that where I was like, I have to ask you about Jordan Bittington going in. And he was like, no, don't worry. It'll be fine. I was like, I don't know. And then it was fine.

So credit to Jeremy for getting that one right. Do you know my theory on why Canadians don't fully appreciate Jordan Bennington. Why? Is because when the Blues won the cup, the Raptors were in the NBA finals, and a lot of Canadians weren't really paying attention that much to the Stanley Cup finals.

That's interesting. I haven't heard that theory before because I was locked in because I was cheering for the Bruins' downfall. Right, yeah, yeah. And he delivered that. Me too. So that was great. Yeah,. Yeah, I knew he was capable of it, but it was also like that's almost six years ago It was long. I thought he was a bigger problem. Yeah Just a loose theory But I think actors I think I think it's why I honestly do think well that was one of the actors like that was a terrific

Stanley Cup final and I don't feel like it got a ton of attention in Canada. Yeah, it really was. It was an awesome Stanley Cup final. It was a good final. He went to game seven, right? And he won it in Boston. And just, and just the turnaround in momentum because the Blues had game six at home to win it.

And they blew it and everyone was like, ah, they're done. They're going back to Boston. Boston for the Stanley Cup that they did win, lost a lot of huge painful games. Yep. You know, the game against Chicago in 2013, that was painful. Game seven at home of the Stanley Cup final against the St. Louis Blues, they lost that. Game seven against the Florida

Panthers, they lost that. You, game seven against the Florida Panthers. They lost that. You know, they, you know, they did have other big wins besides the Stanley Cup here, you know, that went against the Leafs, uh, in the first round, like that was, that was incredible. But, but, but if you look back on the Bruins, they, they should have won more. They should have won more.

They were kind of the inverse of the Capitals. Like the Capitals were good for a really long time, couldn't break through, and then finally won the cup in 2018. After all, the Bruins won the cup as soon as they got good, then were really good for a long time, but just could never break through. I almost feel like Bruins fans probably look back

at that era with a much more like disappointing lens than Cap's fans would. You know what I mean? There's something about like finishing on the high note that's like, oh, all the struggles were worth it. Whereas the Bruins fans probably look at it like, ah, ah, I'm so frustrated. We never won more.

How much of the fact that, that like Bergeron was young and Marshawn was young and maybe were those guys underappreciated when they won the Stanley Cup? And was that part of the disappointment in Vancouver? They were like, how do we lose to these guys? How do we lose to the guy? Yeah, they got Char and they got Tim Thomas,

but like, who else do they have? Well, ultimately. Should we take into the 2011 Stanley Cup finals a little bit here? No. Right. We'll take a break. Coming up next, we're going to switch gears a little bit here.

James Charman, of course, Sportsnet Soccer contributor, host of the Footie Pine podcast. It's the CONCACAF Nations League Semi-Final Canada versus Mexico today. So we'll get James, who knows so much more about soccer than us, to fill us in on everything, all the storylines going into that game. That's next here on Hal from the Bruff Sportsnet 650. Hey, it's big nazar have your say and join me on the people's show with big takes and even bigger bets weekdays three to four on Sportsnet 650.

Jamie Dodd in for Haliford for the week. Haliford & Brv is brought to you by the DeLari family of Honda dealers. Experience the DeLari difference today. Visit your nearest DeLari Honda dealer today. This hour is brought to you by Jason.mortgage. If you love paying too much for your mortgage, then don't let Jason shop around

to find the perfect mortgage for you. That's Jason.mortgage. Canucks and Blues, not the only big game on tap tonight in the world of sports. Canada versus Mexico at the Concacaf Nations League semi-final in Los Angeles. A chance here for Canada to take home a major trophy on the men's side for the first time in a long time

if they can get past Mexico and into the final. Joining us to chat about that Sportsnet Soccer contributor host of the Footy Prime podcast he is James Sharman. James thanks for taking some time for us today how are you? I'm doing great guys exciting day ahead of us. Yeah no doubt about it and it's Canada versus Mexico in a big match and it's kind of funny you you know, we were talking about earlier in the show, we're so used to dreading these types of games, right? Like, uh-oh, they're going up against big bad Mexico. This could get ugly, but we know how much things have changed in CONCACAF. What are you, are Canada, like, could they even be considered favorites in this? How do you like their chances to get a result tonight? Well, you know, last time I looked at had them as favorites, which is, you know last time I looked at the mass favorites which is you know we have never seen before against Mexico. This is a you know a

team that's at times dominated CONCACAF really forever but they've been in a slight a slight decline over recent years but Canada had this this inner belief about them under Jesse Marsh which has evolved since the John Herbin team which also you know had a had a real strong belief in itself we saw that through World Cup qualifying and we shouldn't dismiss that but there's this this ruthlessness in this team and I wouldn't call it arrogance but a genuine confidence in their abilities to not just play well and compete in this region and well for but be a contender you know at some pretty big tournaments

and certainly entering this one tonight they all been speaking to all these guys compete in this region and well for Wubba, but be a contender at some pretty big tournaments. And certainly entering this one tonight, they all been speaking to all these guys the last few days. They believe they will win this match. It's something very refreshing to hear and to see, and it comes very much from the top, from Jesse Marsh. What's the atmosphere going to be like at SoFi tonight?

Pro-Mexican. Let's put it that way. It's, uh, I imagine going to be a sea of green. I know there are some voyages down here. Um, not as many as we'd usually travel because of the political upheaval, shall we say, but they'll be there and they'll be in fine voice for sure, but it's going to be very much pro-Mexican

crowd, very volatile, um, uh, a cauldron, hopefully. I mean, I haven't been to SoFi for, for a game before, very volatile, a cauldron hopefully. I mean, I haven't been to SoFi for a game before, but it's a massive stadium. It's very impressive. And I think it should be a fantastic atmosphere. And that's something that this team enjoy and like and will feed from, I think, as well. These guys aren't like Canada used to be, you know, where we're only, you know, one or two guys knew what it was like to play in such environments. A lot of these players played at big clubs in big

leagues across the world. So they're used to that kind of pressure and that kind of atmosphere. And I think it drives them forward. Is this going to be another knife fight type of game against Mexico? It might be. I mean, remember though, in September, the

nil nil, it was just awful, wasn't it? Mexico set their stall out early. They sat deep. They just hacked and smashed away at Canada. I think there were 43 fouls called in that game. They just tried to stop Canada, which was refreshing to see as far as that was a team obviously concerned about Canada's pace and attacking might. That's a Mexican team being defensive against Canada.

Incredible, right? So, you know, a lot of the players are saying yesterday they expect the same tomorrow. It's the same coach, the same type of tactics and Canada's strength is through their pace. Maybe the quickest team in world football Canada is in the moment. So how do you stop that? Well, you get cynical, you're foul. So it could well be the same. What is the state of the Mexican team heading into this game? stop that, well, you get cynical, you're foul. So it could well be the same. What is the state of the Mexican team heading into this game? Yeah, you know, it's interesting. People want to write them off. Um, I think it's a little bit too early for that.

They have got some genuine class in there, especially in attack in Raul Jimenez, uh, Santi Jimenez as well. Uh, both players play in Europe at, uh, at Fulham and AC Milan, respectively. So they have guys that can put the ball in the net for sure. But it isn't like I said the Mexico of the vintage five, 10, 15 years ago where they were contenders for major tournaments every single year. But their team largely based in Liga MX which which is obviously a very strong league, but fewer players these days playing in Europe.

But they're a team that, quite honestly, it's a coin flip tonight. We shouldn't write off this team. People want to write them off, but we shouldn't. They are still a solid team with a good coach who's there for the third time now, Javier Aguirre. He arrived after Copa America last season where they failed and they crashed down the group phase. So he's going to rebuild that team and they're

playing this style of football that as ugly as it is, it can get you results. Is this tournament or these two games, whoever they're going to end up playing in the second game, is this the most important preparation for Canada's World Cup that they have on the schedule? I know they've got some friendlies and I know there's the gold cup, but is this the most important preparation for Canada's World Cup that they have on the schedule? I know they've got some friendlies and I know there's the Gold Cup, but is this the most important one?

I'd say so, yes. Simply because they're full strength and Mexico's full strength and the States and Panama are full strength. And if you look at the games coming between now and the World Cup, you have this four nation four nation, um, tournament at BMO field in Toronto in June, which is great. Ukraine, New Zealand, uh, and Ivory coast is fantastic, but it is, you know, essentially friendlies. And then you have the gold cup, which should be awarded down tournament this year because the club World Cup is played at the same time. So a lot of the star players won't be there.

And regardless, the gold cup in recent years has been more of a chance for the, the next generation, the younger players to get a chance. And aside from that, you got friendlies. Um, and there'll be some big families, some, some really good matches, but this is genuinely competitive football against teams that want to get a trophy. And like you alluded to in, you know, in the beginning, um, the care doesn't want a trophy in 25 years, it's been a long time. I don't care what it's called, they need to get

silverware back in that cabinet just to feel good about themselves and set them up for what will be a really massive year coming up before the World Cup. So I know we should never look past Mexico. This is going to be a tough, tough game tonight, but have you thought about the possibility of Canada versus the United States in a few days? No, haven't given it a thought.

Yeah. I mean, that's what everyone wants, right? Even down here. I mean, that's what everyone wants to see. We saw what the four nations face off became, you know, this kind of contrived tournament into this statement of massive national pride. That's what we want. A little bit of edge is good in sport, right? A little bit. You want to build your rivalries. I think it's so important and to kind of layer in a little bit of politics and sport. It's not perhaps

that palatable most of the time, but every now and again it feeds the beast so to speak. So yeah, that would be incredible. And again, it'll be a hostile environment. I'll tell you that we're in LA, right? So it's not exactly a MAGA central down here. Right. So the Americans I've spoken to have actually been very apologetic. That might change today when the outlaws, the outlaws of the US national team's fan group, right? Yeah. And they're pretty loud.

I'm sure they've got some maga amongst them. So maybe it'll be a little bit edgy in the stands if we get that far. But let's hope so because, hey, listen, the Four Nations was fun, wasn't it? It was. So James, which Canadian players are you going to be watching closest? Well, I mean, the starters know, he starts in any will it's Mois Bambito for me This is a young player. He's just emerged under Jesse Marsh. He's playing in Nice in France a team That's competing now for European football. He's absolutely fantastic

He's one of the quickest players in world football playing in central defense And he's gonna be there for a very long time. This kid has got you know, the world's one of the quickest players in world football playing in central defence and he's going to be there for a very long time. This kid has got the world ahead of him. He's going to get a massive move at some point and I love watching him play beside Derek Kenealius. So he's going to watch on the pitch but I want to see minutes. It's going to be Kyle Aaron and John David starting up front and so it should be. But the new boys, the dual nationals, Primus David and

Dan Jebbison, will they get minutes and how many minutes? These guys cut a certain profile six foot three and six foot five for attackers. One's really pacey, one's more of a target man but they could be the future and they're super, super confident. Dan Jebbison's saying you know I want to be the starter, I will be the starter for this team at some point. So I love that confidence, teaching on arrogance. I think we should need in a striker. So those two players, uh, when they come off the bench and get officially capped tied will be, I

think for us all to really enjoy. How is the year gone for Alfonso Davies? Great. He's had a really good year at Bayern Munich. He obviously some stress with the contract situation, there's a lot of speculation that he'd leave Bayern Munich this summer. Didn't happen.

He resigned a long-term deal and he's super happy about it. You can see him, he glows when you ask him about that contract, he goes, yeah, it was tough. But on the pitch he's played very, very well. As Bayern's really bounced back from a poor season last year, he's got engaged off the well. As Bynes really bounced back from a poor season last year, he's got engaged off the pitch.

So Everett is going a great four for Alfonso Davis right now. And he's playing his natural position for Canada as well, right? Left back. He's not being pushed out of position. That's where he should play. He's one of the best left backs in world football.

And he's going to be, again, it goes without saying, but you know, one of the game breakers for this side. Uh, do we know who the goalkeeper is going to be, again, it goes without saying, but you know, one of the game breakers for this side. Uh, do we know who the goalkeeper is going to be? I think it's going to be Dane Sinclair. That seems to be, um, what we're hearing at the moment. He started through the last four games of Canada and Max Capot, as amazing as he was at Copa America, he hasn't

had a great time since then at club level, lost his spot to James McTavis at Portland. Um at Portland and has actually been injured recently as well. Whereas Daines has been playing regularly for Minnesota and playing very well. And he strikes that modern goalkeeper profile. He's super big. He's long, using hockey parlance there. And Jesse Marsh loves the guy. He's got so much potential. He's a late bloomer, I think in many regards, but it seems that he will get the other gloves tonight. Well, speaking of Jesse Marsh, how is this team different under Jesse Marsh compared to John Herdman?

And I, and I realize, you know, John Herdman didn't leave on, on, on the best terms and with his reputation intact, but there are a lot of good things said about John Herdman as he got Canada to the World Cup in Qatar. But what is, what is Jesse Marsh's style compared to John Herdman? What, what about the style of play

compared to John Herdman? Mm hmm. Yeah. I'm glad you mentioned that because people kind of dismissed the Herban era, right? Because Jesse Marsh comes aboard and then everything goes great from the off and when John left Canada they had some tough results after the World Cup but John had built the foundation of this particular squad so giving credit for that but from a standpoint of style this team is far more

that they use their pace a lot more they they're happy to kind of sit back if they have to but they're generally on the front all the time going for it and they have that explosiveness within this side that in transition they can move the ball so quickly that it's obviously resulted in some really massive games and massive points over the last year or so. But you know it's just a bit more dynamic I think compared to the John Herbman side to be honest with you. If you remember that Uruguay game at Copa, the third place game, they lost the game but they went at Uruguay, one of the top teams in world football.

There was no fear whatsoever, a ruthless drive to attack. So I thought it was very impressive indeed. So I think overall it's a bit more dynamic, using pace a little bit more and just on the front foot. They're not scared of any team. They're going to go for it every single time. On the front foot, aggressive pace, Canada? I'm still, I'm still like, I remember the 2000

gold cup and that's not the way I remember Canada playing back then. No, that's a good point. I remember it as well. It was a very different beast back in those days. It was a very different, you know, beast back in those days. It was a very good team though, right? It really was some excellent players, but.

More counter-attack though. Top level. Yeah, very much so. And relying on the heroics of Craig Forrest, I have to say that, you know, in more than one game where he, he got the golden gloves in that tournament, he was absolutely almost unbeatable. Let's be honest.

And they did score goals in there, you know, the center backs Jason DeVos with the big one there. So yeah, a different beast entirely under Hogar Oshiec, but a different era of football, right? There's so much more depth now and the game's bigger. The global game is bigger now than it was even back then. So you have players playing in Belgium and in Croatia, which you just didn't have so much back in

those days. You had the sprinkling of talent in the top flight, but not nearly the same amount. And when you look at the top players now, the Fonzies, the John Davids, these are world superstars, world superstars. We've never had that before and we had more than one, but two and maybe with a moist Mbido, you know, lurking in the shadows, another one on the way up. So what a time to be a Canadian football fan. Let's not say that they're going to start

winning trophies every year. You know, the world's game is bigger, it's tough. It's a tough world to operate in, but as we saw in Copa, I think that was the tipping point in many ways. In Copa, we saw a top, top team in a top, top tournament go a long way and no one, I think, predicted that.

Have you actually set your expectations for the World Cup for Canada or are you still a little bit in wait and see mode and maybe this tournament is going to help with that? Yeah, it's a good question. I was talking to someone about that yesterday and I'm kind of still in wait and see. It's an expanded tournament and it's a host,

presumably they'll get the first seed, uh, you know, in the drawer. So it should be a pretty kind drawer. Uh, and then you get into the round of 32. I think it is the format. I remember correctly. So I can definitely see knockout football and then what stuff, listen, if they go into the round of 16, I mean, how great would that be? To me that would be success. And that game might be a busy place too. Yeah, exactly. how great would that be? Yeah. To me, that would be success. And that game might be a BC place too. Yeah, exactly.

How great would that be? I mean, what a moment for Canadian soccer, but let's not get too far ahead of ourselves. Oh, we're doing it. We're doing it. We're already there. Bucket, round of 16. Yeah.

Canada soccer has never let us down before. Never before. No, you're right. They're always there, you know to carry us in our expectations. I think if they got to a round of 16, that might be enough to convince Jesse Marsh also to stick around a little bit longer. He's loving this job right now. I spoke to him about it a couple of days ago.

He goes, he's actually thinking beyond the World Cup now. He's not contracted that far and he acknowledges that, well, listen, a bad World Cup and I'm gone, but he's enjoying it so much and he's enjoying the whole Canadian soccer zeitgeist so much that a long-term stay is really on the cards for him, I think. Well, James, it's great to hear your excitement for the game tonight. We've got, we're up here in Vancouver, we got a

big Canucks game against St. Louis, but we're also going to have to keep our eye on Canada, Mexico as well, so thanks for joining us today and we'll talk again soon. Thanks fellas, anytime. That is James Sharman, of course, Sportsnet Soccer contributor, Footy Prime podcast as well, on the ground in LA to cover Canada versus Mexico at the CONCACAF Nations League Semi-Final.

And we might actually just be able to get both games in because Canada, Mexico starts, I think it's 730. There you go. So. You have a little buffer even, cause I think some blues and Canucks is 430. So wrap up at seven and then you have a chance to listen to a post game show a little bit and then

get into Canada and Mexico. Okay. Plus we got March Madness today. I know. What a sports Canada and Mexico. Okay. Plus we got March Madness today. I know. What a sports day. I. Incredible. I have to admit and I apologize to the listeners

cause Halford is the college basketball guy here. I have not followed college basketball at all this year. Yeah. I'm normally pretty good about catching the odd game, but for whatever reason, I just haven't. Um, I didn't fill out a bracket, but I almost, we were talking about this before, I almost

enjoy the later rounds of college basketball more if I haven't filled out a bracket because chances are that once you get to the final four, your bracket is busted. Is done. Right? Like now it's great if your bracket is still alive and you got a chance to win your bracket,

that's awesome. But most of the time it's busted. And then I watch these games with like anger. I'm just like, oh, there's, you know, like Louisville or whatever. Like they screwed me. I don't want to watch. Dang, Louisville.

Right? Like I don't want to remember one of like one of the great endings or something that didn't go my way. Yeah. Like I, March Madness is hilarious and it just shows you what gambling and filling out a bracket can do.

Like I, I'm like, I just like, I can't stand Xavier, you know, like I, I don't even know where Xavier is, but you know, if they screw me, I hate them. Uh, I want to say Indiana. Anyways, um, I've always found it hard to get invested in March Madness bracket because Like at least with so much sports betting you can trick yourself into thinking it's not mostly random

You know what I mean? Yeah, yeah, yeah, like, okay If you're if you're if you're settling in to bet on, you know, the Seahawks game and you're studying Okay, I think they have the edge in this category and oh, I like that line and yada, yada, yada. Now it's still basically a coin flip, but you can at least like, you have the illusion that there is more than randomness of play. There's no illusion. Like it's purely random. When you said that you could be the biggest college basketball guy in the world.

And guess what? It's when you're picking that volume of games, it's random. And so even I would put the work in not, not, not actually watching the games or anything. There's too many games, but I will go around to different rankings and that sort of thing. Yeah. But yeah.

Really that, but it's like, okay, you spend 30 seconds on each matchup. This guy's power rankings. Yeah. I was like, well, this team's higher, so I guess we'll choose them. But that never was enough to establish like an emotional connection or a real rooting interest for me. So it was like, this team's higher, so I guess I'll choose them. But that never was enough to establish like an emotional connection or a real rooting

interest for me. So it was like, yeah, okay. Basically you fill it out randomly and then midway through the first day, you're like, yeah, it's randomly completely busted now. So whatever. The bracket that I went in for years and I haven't been in it for a couple of years now,

but was great because we were awarded triple points for upsets. So any upset. So you had to pick a lot of upsets. So yeah, and the points would get higher as you went in. Sure, okay. So like the first round, one point if you pick a favorite, three points if you pick an upset.

So everyone would pick nine versus eight, right? Like it would just make sense. But the real progress you could make, the real points you could pile up is if you picked, if you picked a two seed to make it to the final four, that would be triple points on that. So essentially you don't really want to pick one seeds to make it to the final four, but you're still tempted to do it.

Right? Just to have a team Right. You know what I mean? Just to have a team there. So like a lot of it, a lot of it was math, but so you don't know whether or not to use your upsets early or late, but it kind of added a good wrinkle into it. I also find when I do do a bracket is that like I'm old enough now that so much of how I choose

the teams is just based on like, I remember in like 2003, they had a good run. They're probably good, right? Yeah. That's 20 years ago. That's over 20 years ago. It's like, yeah, that seems always good. It's like, cause they went to the elite eight once when I was in high school.

Well, I also had this rule of like, you never bet on football schools. Like it's the basketball school. So bet on Duke and North Carolina and Kentucky because they always get the best recruits. Sorry, Alabama. But now they're like Auburn is up there, right?

So, and I remember when Florida won back to back and was like, oh, they're more of a football school too. So I don't know. You have all these, they have all these dumb rules that you think have some sort of validity to them, but they probably don't. They absolutely do not. They absolutely do not. 650 650 is the Dumbar Lumber text line. Send your What We Learn submissions in now. We will read them at 8 30. But up next as mentioned, massive Canucks game on the schedule tonight in St. Louis. They're taking on the Blues. Randeeb Janda,

color analyst here on the Canucks broadcast on Sportsnet 650. He joins us next. We'll get his thoughts as the Canucks start not just a big game but a big road trip with game one in St. Louis tonight. That's next here on Halford & Bruff Sportsnet 650.