Halford & Brough in the Morning - Farewell, Conor Garland!

Episode Date: March 6, 2026

In hour one, Mike & Jason look back at the previous day in sports, they discuss the Conor Garland trade (3:00), plus they chat what to expect from today's NHL trade deadline day with Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman (26:18).  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.

You're listening to Halford and Brough. Ready to announce. The 2-1 now. The weekend. Good morning, Vancouver, 601 on a Friday. Happy Friday, everybody. Sweet, sweet Friday. It is Halford and is Brough.

It is Sportsnet 650. We are coming you live from the Kintech Studios in beautiful Fairview Slopes in Vancouver. Jason, good morning. Good morning. Adon, good morning to you. Good morning. Laddie, good morning to you as well. Hello, hello.

Halford and Brough of the morning is brought to you by Sands and Associates. Do you have payday loan debt? If you do, Sands and Associates could cut your debt by up to 80% with no upfront fees. Visit them today at Sands-Trustee.com. We are in hour one of the program. Hour one is brought to you by North Star Metal Recycling. Vancouver's premier metal recycler pays the highest prices on scrap metal. North Star Metal Recycling, they recycle.

You get paid. Visit them at 1170 Powell Street in Vancouver. We're coming you live from the Kintech Studio. new year, new opportunity for comfort with orthotics from Kintech. Guests on SportsNet 650. Call in on the ABLE Auctions hotline email sales at ABLOctions.ca to get your business assets sold and your building cleared. Okay, we got a lot to get to you on the program today. But at first, it is the Doick Morning Drive.

Our morning guest list brought to you by the Duick Auto Group. 630. Elliot Friedman's going to join the program this morning. SportsNet NHL Insider, 32 Thoughts Pod. Busy, busy Thursday night heading into today's tread deadline. In case you missed it, the Vancouver Canucks did swing a deal yesterday evening. Connor Garland got traded at Columbus. We'll talk to Fridge about that and a whole lot more.

At 6.30. 7 o'clock, it's AJ from AJ's pizza. A reminder, a $100 gift card. Two AJ's is up for grabs for the best ask us anything. Hashtag at AUA. Put a pizza emoji into your text. The Dunbar Lover text line is 650. 6.50. At 7.30 this morning, Dan Murphy.

Merv's going to join the program. Sportsnet Canucks reporter. Murph is boots on the ground in Chicago today where the Canucks have set up their trade deadline HQ in advance of tonight's game against the Blackhawks. What more do Rutherford and Alvin have in store for us? We'll ask Murph at 7.30. 8 o'clock Rick Dollywall is going to join the program.

Get ready, Jason. Intrepid Canucks reporter, of course, from Donny and Dolly on Czech TV. For more on what Rick is bringing to the show today, we turn things over to our resident Dollywall handler, Jason Brough. You know what? It's pretty open because he just, said we're going to start with Garland and go from there.

Let's go. 8.30 this morning. IMAQ. Ian McIntyre is going to join the program. You're not going to do Let's Go that much today, are you? I know it's trade deadline. But that was an early let's go. I was just excited to talk to IMAC at 830. And I didn't know how better to explain it than my signature catchphrase, which nobody uses. I always look over to you when you say let's go and I expect to see Bryson de Shambo there.

Or Tom Brady. Does he do that? He has a show called Let's Go. Oh, okay. It's about letting go. Oh, okay. It's not. It's about football.

IMac is going to join us at 830. Connects reporter sportsnet.cica. IMAC's not going to join us for two and a half hours. Who knows what's going to happen between now and then. So I'm not sure exactly where we'll be at 830 when we talk to IMAC. This is also a good time to remind you that IMAC isn't going to be closing out the Halford & Brough show at 830. We're doing a special fourth hour of Halbro from 9 to 10, this morning. That's right. Halford and Brough, right until 10 a.m.

We're going to lead you into Canucks Talk with Dodd and Drance. That begins at 10 and that goes to 1 p.m. That's followed by the People's show with Josh and Lena. That's followed by Canucks Central. That's followed by the Canucks pregame show. And then of course, finally, at 5.30 tonight, that's when you get the Canucks. And whatever is left of the team at that point, taking on the Chicago Blackhawks in Chicago. It is wall-to-wall Canucks coverage on trade deadline day. We got a lot to get into on the program.

So without further ado, Laddie, let's tell everybody what happened. Hey, did you guys see the game last night? No. No. What happened? I missed all the action because I was... We know how busy your life can be. What happened?

Missed it? You missed that? What happened is brought to you by the BC Construction Safety Alliance. Making safety simpler by giving construction companies best in tools, resources, and safety training. Visit them online at PCCS.ca.com. In a move and a move of significance that was done late last night. the Vancouver Canucks traded winger Connor Garland to the Columbus Blue Jacket

in exchange for a second round pick in 2008 and a third round pick in 26. It is Columbus's pick this year and in 28. So the Canucks are able to get the third round pick back this year that they did not have. They move off of the Garland contract

and they move out yet another veteran with term, Jason, ahead of Friday's deadline. Of course, today's deadline at noon, our time. So what was your immediate reaction when you saw the return. Little light, but overall, I was not going to be that guy on social media who was complaining about the lack of moves. And then when the move started to happen, complaining about the way the Canucks did their

business. I believe I put it succinctly on Twitter. Yeah. Got this thing like a G.D. Fish. Right. That was quite aggressive. A little graphic. Right.

Poor fish. Yeah. And for the people that thought that, well, if you didn't have that contract attached to them, they'd get a first. for sure, really. Garland is a rental. Have you seen his production this year? Like a lot, I know we know in Vancouver that Garland is a pretty good player.

But look at his production this year. How many? Not the best. Not the best. And I don't think it would have made a difference if he had. I look at that contract and I'm like, it's not a terrible contract. It's not horrendous. I mean, I look at Brock Bessor's contract and go, I'm not sure if I'd want to be part of that.

It's closer to horrendous, but not quite. I think Garland's just a good, he's a good play driver. And by the way, the Canucks this season have, you could argue, have traded away their two best, frankly, two only playdrivers. Because Quinn Hughes was obviously a play driver tilted the ice when he was on it, or at least in four. I don't know if anyone could tilt the ice for the Canucks, but he influenced it. And how many times over the last, what, couple of seasons, we say that Connor Garland was the Canucks best forward or most effective forward in terms of getting the puck from one end of the ice to the other.

Which was a statement about how bad the, and this has meant as no disrespect. It's going to sound like it, but how poor the forward group was, about how Gray Garland was. No, no, absolutely. But I'm just saying, like, and they were two undersized guys. that, you know, had, when they were at their best, they had some fight in them. And they, again, they won puck battles. They got the puck where it was supposed to go. And Garland was often the one that would get moved on to a problematic line.

And he was the guy that would often get paired with Pedersen, and he would end up doing a lot of the work. Like Pedersen had a pretty good game the other day. Who was he playing with? Hoaglander and DeBrusk. Wasn't he with Garland? Was Garland out there for a bit too? I know Hoaglander for sure.

I thought he was with Hoaglander and Garland. Anyway, at any rate, Garland and Hughes are now gone. And I'm like you, I'm not going to sit there and freak out over the return because, you know, I think both you and I have said there is also value in doing this quickly. Uh-huh. You know, a lot of people are like, wait until the, like, wait until the, like, wait until the, think about asset management. And like, yeah, that's somewhat important, but also expedience.

This thing is going to take a long time. And, you know, it's, I realized it. And my eyes, you know, they have that saying, we're going into this with our eyes wide open. I wonder if everyone's eyes are completely wide open on this because the Canucks have not exactly piled up first round draft picks the way a lot of rebuilding teams have. Look at what some teams have done to kickstart their rebuilds. Like look at Chicago and how many first round picks they had.

And they got lucky and they got the right year to get the first overall pick and they got a guy like Connor Boudard. And the Blackhawks still stink. They're still not very good. They've got a long way to go before they're a good team. The San Jose Sharks got a guy like McLean-Colabrini who's incredible.

But they've still got a long way to go. They've got to completely rebuild their defense and their blue line. Now, at least it's been interesting for those teams. At least it's been fun. but they got Badard and Celebrini like that's and we'll see if the Canucks end up

with a guy like that if it's Gavin McKenna or Stenberg or maybe they get a really good player they're going to get a good player with the third overall pick would be disappointing but I don't think they're going to get a guy that's going to make an immediate you know impact like Badard and Celebrini did certainly on the market

and the excitement for the market but like but are we realizing are we understanding are we understanding how long this is going to take simply because the Canucks and the way they did business has led them to this point where they are the most asset poor team in the league by a mile. I know some of you like some of the young players on the Canucks and so do I. I like some of them.

I don't know if any of them are going to become superstars or even star. They're definitely starting from scratch. Like there's not a ton that they're building on right now. Yeah. There are the very... It's going to take... It's going to take a long time. And hopefully it's going to be interesting and fun along the way as they build this team up.

And hopefully they have the patience to stick with it. But you know what? When I say that, I also... Like, I'm like, they don't have any choice. They've been dragged kicking and screaming. to this point where they are left with no choice but to go through this. Because what are you going to do?

What are you going to do? Are you going to make a massive trade? You don't have any assets. You know? Like the only thing they could do is like trade this year's first or next year's first, which would be, you know, so insane that, God, maybe they're going to do it. But free agency isn't an option anymore.

Like there's talk that Nick Schmaltz might get re-signed in Utah. There's going to be no one in free agency. Free agency is dead. Free agency is, I don't know if we'll ever come back, but it ain't what it used to be. And as the cap goes up, it's going to be easier for teams to keep players so they don't even get to free agency.

And if there's expansion coming, that's fewer players then. It's just fewer players. So I hope all our eyes are wide open, Right now going into this because it is going to take a long time and there's no guarantee. And none of us said who pushed for this rebuild, none of us said this is a guaranteed way to turn the team into a Stanley Cup contender. What we did say was what they were doing was guaranteed to not work and not turn into a Stanley Cup contender. So I'm glad at least they've given themselves a chance.

Well, I think the only when you ask the question, like are we prepared? do we fully understand? Do we know how long this is going to take? I think it's contingent on everybody, fans and media alike, to prove that there is knowledgeable and is savvy a hockey market as they proclaimed to be

when the Canucks weren't rebuilding. This is the time to understand that what's going on right now is a fundamentally important part of the rebuild. Phase one, tearing it back, and moving off guys with a sense of urgency and, as you put it earlier,

expedience where you don't keep waiting and you don't keep kicking the can down the road. And you don't say maybe we'll try this later. Maybe we'll do this later. You do it now. And you move and maybe you don't get the maximum extracted value. You don't squeeze every last bit of juice out of the orange. But you move and you get your assets and you continue to stockpile draft picks. And then you set yourself up for what's going to be a lot of losing next year and you do the same thing.

And then you go into the season after that. And there's probably a lot of losing that year too. And you continue to do the same thing. It's the only way. And if you're going to complain along the way, which is why I consciously made no complaints about Garland. Garland yesterday, that trade was a stepping stone to something larger, which is why I said, like, get it like a fish, keep going, right?

Use this as motivation and energy to continue to move guys out and stockpile assets. make the 2026 and 2027 entry drafts the draft of the Canucks get as many picks as you can in the door and just keep going don't take shortcuts don't be dismayed by the fact

that you're going to be a lousy hockey team on the ice for the next few years and it's like embrace it somehow embrace it well for shows like ours for shows like ours it's contingent on at a certain point you have to stop complaining I know it's kind of baked into the recipe of what we do

but at a certain point you got to stop complaining when the team delivers on what you want, right? And if they're, you're gonna, what you said earlier is 100% spot on. Their asset poor,

they don't have a bunch of first round, or first round picks right now, high end picks. There are some flaws in the plan, but they're going about it the only way that they can right now. Yeah. They're limited by what they can

and can't do to a circuit. They've been forced into this. There's, there's no question about it. And they're still in cleanup mode for a lot of the mistakes that they made. Garland was cleaning. up the mistake that they made.

They had to get off that extension. They signed him to nine months ago. Well, I think they had to get off any extension that had. Yeah. Except for maybe Philip Peronick. Colton in an Imo, do you guys trust this management to do a rebuild? Because I don't. Not particularly.

I mean, Jim Rutherford's not going to be around for the entire rebuild. I think there's a, I mean, this is clearly the path they're going down. I think the succession plan needs to start, you know, after this deadline, if it hasn't started already. They have to get an architect for the rebuild. And I don't think the right man is Jim Rutherford. I mean, if only because of his age. This is going to take a long time. And I don't think Jim Rutherford intends or wants to spend the next,

five or six years working in hockey. I'm like, why? Go enjoy your retirement, you know? And also, there's going to be not much winning. Like,

you're going to have to bring in someone who's, has a lot of skills that have to do with drafting, player development, and team building. I mean, I was reading Drance's piece this morning,

and I noted that he said in the Canucks plans that initially the Canucks were kind of hesitant to trade some of their veterans, and then he wrote like something happened, something changed, where all of a sudden they were not desperate to get off these contracts, but they were a little more proactive in saying, like, we're actually going to move some of these veterans with term.

And then he made a note later in his piece, He's like, there's been an acknowledgement that the culture of the room needs to change. Well, yeah. I mean, that was obvious to everyone I thought a couple of months ago. Like, this thing needs to change. Everything, everything needs to change. And I think that does include management, especially at the top. Like, I'm sure there are some good people working for the Canucks.

and you're going to need to keep some people with some knowledge of the franchise and what's happened and what's going on. But I think the architects of this team need to change because they are charting a new path. So find a new leader. Yeah. So when Colton asks about trust, trust is a funny thing, right? Because there was a time where I would have had a lot more faith in this management group. for the work that they've done in Vancouver,

then I do now. Here's what I'll say. I think at the first sign, and if there is a first sign, but the first sign where there's a deviation off the plan, where you see some idea thought nod to accelerate or jump start

or whatever other buzz phrase they use to cut corners, the first moment that you see it, collectively, again, as a savvy hockey market, Everyone should be jumping all over it, and the critiques and the knives should be out in full force. The moment that you see it, because that's an indication that they haven't really got it, and they're not going to do the heavy lifting

and the hard work that it takes to go all the way to the bottom and climb your way back up. That's where I'll say the trust factor will really come in, is that first sign. And maybe it won't come. Maybe they truly have learned their lesson. Maybe they truly understand what it takes. This is some naive optimism that I'm spitting right now,

but I'm going with it. But I think if, you know, Colton and IMO asks, I would say, reserve giving all of your trust or giving them your trust until you see that first moment if it comes when they decide to hit on the accelerator and they want to speed up the rebuild. Because that's what's going to kill them. If they somehow decide that they want to turn a couple of these second and third round picks into a failed prospect or a guy that hasn't worked out somewhere, for example, with the Garland trade yesterday, I'm glad that that trade did not include Kent Johnson. Yeah, I thought it was. I thought it was going to be for Kent Johnson. I'm glad it didn't. That's no disrespect to Kent Johnson,

who might turn into a fine player. But I'm done with the reclamation projects. I'm done with the recycling program. I don't need to see it anymore. They've tried it plenty of times. And more often than that, we've seen how it worked out. Actually make the draft picks. Even if he came back and maybe it worked out,

I'd still have a ton of trepidation about it. And I don't even think it'd be fair to Johnson, to be honest. And then you don't get full value on contract. either. You're like, all of a sudden, we've got to pay this guy because he succeeded right away? Here's an unsigned text. How would you go about fixing the culture and ensuring the dressing room has the right mix of character moving forward? Lay out your detailed plan. Who would you trade and sign on July 1st? I'm not the general manager of the Vancouver Canucks. I have a couple thoughts on it. But like there needs to be someone who, like, I don't know if you know what I do, but I talk about

the Canucks for three hours and then I like, in the summer I golf or, you know, in the winter, I take a nap. So, you know, I'm not the right man for the job. But, like, there are people that know how to do that. And I would get input from guys like the Siddines. And I would use my experience as a person that's worked in hockey before. And I would make sure that for the next few years, any free agent that I bring in or any trade acquisition is a high character person.

Yes. You, this is where you can value intangibles like, um, and you do have to make judgments on people. And some people seem to be very, they're like, who are you to judge the character of these people? Well, if I was the GM,

I'd be the GM. Yep. You know, like, I, the people I work with, I like to, like,

I've worked with, like, I think you're a high character, an idiot, but a high character person. I think the dogs are high character people. that means they're reliable. That means they're going to get the job done.

That means they're going to treat people the right way. That means they're not going to put themselves above the show or make themselves an issue, right? I don't know about that part. You do have some ideas. No, but like it's important. And like judging people is so important when it comes to even making draft picks. And it is really difficult when the kids are 18 years old.

But like, do your research. find out, are they hard workers? Yeah. You know, what motivates them? That sort of thing. It's so important. Talent, yes, of course it's important. And not everyone has to be the greatest person on earth and on their way to winning like citizenship awards.

But you do have to have the general characteristics that make you a successful teammate and a successful player. And a lot of that just starts with, are you hard working? So there's a couple things that you can do here. I always point to two acquisitions that I think were really interesting over the last few years where players were brought in and provided something to the room that far extended their abilities on the ice. One was Luke Shen, and you'll remember, Luke Shen, prior to joining the Canucks, was very close to being out of the NHL entirely. When he signed in Tampa Bay, he signed on a veterans minimum one year, $700,000 deal.

And in that same season was logging time in the American League. Luke Shen's career was on life support, and he kind of went in and to a couple different teams, including Vancouver, showed the attributes that went beyond, you know, traditional counting stats and box scores, and has now turned himself into a pretty useful defenseman. Yeah. Having gone through all this and showing some of the characteristics he were talking about, another guy I think about a lot is Ian Cole. And you could write books about the amount of anecdotes, or from the amount of anecdotes, about the impact that Ian Cole. made during his one year as a Vancouver Canuck. The amount of people that remember him, the amount of people that found his approach and his attitude, like overwhelming in terms of positivity.

And that was a guy that had a one year stop in town. Was his play on the ice the greatest? No, and at times it was a problem. But that's not going to matter over the next few years. You could mine this league for guys that are so grateful to be in it that are going to show the youngsters what hard work is like, what it's like to survive. what it's like to be a professional, all those attributes

that this organization has often paid top dollar for sometimes, especially in the case. I mean, the J. Beagle one's probably the most famous. Now's the time to go target those guys on one-year deals, let them come in, and maybe, just maybe, they provide enough on the ice, so at the end of the season,

you're flipping them at the deadline and making a little bit off of them in terms of, like, draft pick capital. And make sure your draft picks are high character, especially your top ones, because they're going to lead the way, and they are going to need to be leaders among the young players, and that is very important as well.

Elliot Friedman is going to join us next on the Halford-Inbrop Show on SportsNet 650. It's Canucks Central on SportsNet 650. From exclusive interviews to insider scoops and post-game breakdowns, we've got it all. Tune in weekdays 4 to 6 p.m. on radio and on demand through your favorite podcast app. 631 on a Friday.

Happy Friday, everybody. Happy trade. Deadline Day, everybody. You're listening to the Halford & Brough Show on SportsNet 650. Halford and Brough of the morning is brought to by Sands and Associates. Are you getting collection calls? If you are, Sands and Associates can cut your debt by up 80% and stop those calls. Visit them today at Sands-trustee.com.

Still an hour one of the program. Elliot Friedman's going to join us in just a moment here. The highlight of Hour 1. Hour 1 is brought to by North Star Metal Recycling. Vancouver's Premier Metal Recycler pays the highest prices on scrap metal. North Star Metal Recycling, they recycle you get. paid, visit them at 1170 Powell Street in Vancouver. Trade deadline coverage on SportsNet 650 is brought to you by Pastime Sports and Games, home of the largest collection of signed jerseys, trading card, and sports memorabilia.

I struggled with that one last time. In Western Canada. Not today. Visit them now at pastimesports.com. Let's go now to the Abel Auctions hotline, branding galore on this show. Elliot Friedman joins us now on the Alfred & Brough Show on SportsNet 650. What up, Fridge? I have to say there's something very fitting about me being sponsored by recycling.

I really think that fits. Not just recycling. Also, uh, Sands, which you'll deal with annoying collection calls. Uh, okay.

Yeah. Yeah, we've got the able auction. The bookies that are calling you all the time. The able auctions hotline of which you're speaking on right now. And then of course, sports member of Eulia. Okay.

I know we're up against our time. We got a lot to get into it. When I come, Don't gamble what you can't afford to lose. That's my only advice about gambling. Yeah, look at the Canucks. Okay, we're going to start right there. The Vancouver Canucks traded.

Connor Garland last night to Columbus for a 2028 second rounder and a 2026, a third rounder. What does this trade say about what the Canucks are thinking and doing or I guess hope to do, Friege? I mean, I'm not going to tell you anything that you guys as avid Canucks watchers don't know.

the group that they put together and committed to, it just didn't work. And so they're dismantling it and they're starting all over again. And, you know, the one thing I really understand about the Garland trade is that, you know, right now they have control. And there would be a point in July where they wouldn't have control. And it's better for a team to do it now. and you know what, I bet you Garland is probably relieved too.

You know, as much as he enjoyed his time in Vancouver when it was good and signed a long-term extension, we all see the way this is going. You can see, you know, losing socks, it makes people miserable. And, you know, I think you reach a point where the Canucks have reached a point where they realized this group has gone as far as it could.

It's time to start over. And I don't see anything wrong with, for player or teams saying, hey, this marriage isn't going to continue. It's time to go elsewhere. I think the Canucks really pushed over the last couple of days, and I think the agent involved here, who's Judd Moldaver really pushed for it too.

So I think everybody will be happy with the way that this one turned out. Is Teddy Blugher the most likely guy to be dealt today? Yeah, I'd say probably. I heard that there was, I mean, I heard the same thing that was kind of reported out there yesterday, say that interest was picking up in him a bit. You know, the challenge Jason is that there's still a lot

of centers available, right? Like a guy of one or whatever was a guy like Eric Hala. I got a check handedness of all these guys, but I've wondered about Eric Hala. Like I'm not talking about like the Trochecks and the Rob Thomases who are like a different zone.

Or even contrary, yeah. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, or coffee. But when you look at it's like it's Hala, it's Bluger, it's like there's a bunch of guys like this so I think it really comes down to what's the price what's your preference you have options what do you think's gonna happen there's definitely interest there's definitely that's my fault I stop there's definitely interest in bluger what about a van der kane I've heard it's just a tough market like that's uh that's you know I I've checked in like there's been times where it's been rumored that it's been like

go two or three days away um I I've heard from the Canucks, I've heard from other teams. It's just been a tough market. There's, again, there's a lot of forwards out there, and you have choice. I know this is tough for you because there's so many names you have to keep track of, but Drew O'Connor is one of the few Canucks in some semblance of form, and I could see him being a useful player in the postseason. He's big, he can skate, and he signed for one more season with a fairly reasonable cap hit of two and a half million.

Have you heard anything about him? Yes, I have heard his name. I do believe that he's, again, I think like there's a lot of guys get discussed, but they're probably looking, if you look at Sam Carrick, right? Look what he went for last night, a third and a sixth. If you're the Canucks, you want to do that or better. So again, it comes down to price and it comes down to fit. But like people like O'Connor, I think I first mentioned him about almost a month ago before the Olympics. that I think he was a guy that was getting some traction out there.

Yeah, he's been good for the Canucks. Well, honestly, he's a good, low-maintenance player. But, again, like, we went wild a little bit yesterday, and it was a little bit crazy. And I know that, like, those of us who said it was a buyer's market, got mercily stomped online yesterday and probably deserved it. But I still think on some level it is in the sense that if you've got a guy you want, you pay your price.

but there's still a lot of guys out there. Yeah, there's product on the shelves, for sure. There's product on the shelf. You can steal that. You can steal that if you can steal that. There's Whole Foods prices, and there's Walmart prices. And we've just got to figure out who's what. So, Fridge, I know you're focused on today,

but a lot of people are texting into the show. By the way, on the Dunbar Lumber text line, 650, 650. That's more branding for you. And they're like, okay, so Myers and Garland are gone. What about Jake DeBrusk, Brock Besser, and Elias Pedersen? Are those going to be off-season moves, and in the off-season, do you expect with the limited free agency pool? I mean, I think, was it you there reported that Nick Schmaltz might be resigned in Utah?

Yeah, I heard that one's gaining traction as well as was told. So, I mean, are those moves going to be, I don't know. I don't want to say easy, but are they going to be easier to do in the off season if the Canucks do explore them? Well, I think the thing is, like, first of all, I like lumber too, I should mention. You know, I think this. The Garland thing is a really good case study for how a lot of things go at this time of year. And it's like, I would say about coming out of the Olympic break, I didn't. think there was any guarantee of Garland getting traded. And then over the last three or four days,

like one of the things the Canucks have done is with Hughes, they worked with the agent. They said, you make your calls, we'll make our calls, we'll see what we do. And it got to a point where it got done. And I think a lot of that happened with Garland. I think the agent really pushed and it pushed the Canucks and the Canucks then pushed. So over the last two or three days, I think there was a real double-team effort to really try to get this done. And I think that shows you it can go from zero to 100 pretty fast. Now, Pedersen is the guy I followed the most. And when I was sending notes last night, I was getting told nothing really there.

But again, like, I always get scared of making absolute proclamations because I've seen how quickly things can turn. The biggest challenge with Petterson is, well, there's two. You know, like it's a big number. They're not willing to retain. I think there are teams willing to gamble that Pedersen can go somewhere else and maybe find a different level or get closer back to his previous level. But like if you're the Canucks, you're not trading him at a discount.

So I think it's a complicated deal to make. Besser, I haven't heard as much. much on and de brusk. I definitely know de brus' name has been out there. I just as of yesterday afternoon when I was checking into it, I just didn't hear there was a lot of traction. Again, it can always change. The retention thing on Pedersen is, like I completely understand why the Canucks would want, would not want to retain. And if I'm ownership, I'd be like, uh, what are you talking about? I gave out this massive contract a couple of years ago that you guys recommended and now you want me to retain for six years.

I also understand why teams would almost demand retention. Like, Halford, you and I were discussing Carolina the other day, which is one of the teams that, you know, has been rumored to be sniffing around Pedersen and, of course, was interested in Pedersen before. If he goes to Carolina and the Canucks don't retain, he becomes their highest paid player, if I'm not mistaken. And does that not create some potential bad optics for a,

team like Carolina? Well, I think a team like Carolina. They're a pretty mature group. I think you handle it, right? I think that one of the other reasons, and this is what another GM, I was talking to him about this whole thing, and he said, the other reason that Knoch's won't want to retain is that the last three years of his deal, the cap hit is 116, but the cash, I think, is 8-7 or 8-5. Right. So he's cash under cap.

And owners, like, he says, you wouldn't think about this because you don't answer to an owner, but we would. Owners would be like, wait a sacks. They're getting them for $3 million less than the cab hit over the per year, the last three years, and we're retaining. Like that's a big deal. Now, the other thing I would say is that

I do think the Kinnocks thought about caught Kanyami, not in a Patterson deal. Okay. They were talking about a deal for him that didn't involve Pedersen. And I think that's why he was in the lineup on Monday night. I just heard that

it was kind of the one word someone told me was lukewarm but we'll see if that goes anywhere I know they had interest and he was in the lineup because I think they knew the Canucks wanted to see him Is that the Canucks having legitimate interest in this guy or the Havs were like

we want to move off this guy to create some space? You mean Carolina? Carolina? Carolina yeah. Yeah well I think it's both I think I think the player is unhappy there I think Carolina knows it I think Carolina would like to move him but, you know, he's still a relatively young guy who signed at a workable number for a while. You know, I think the Canucks were like, you know, is there, is there a, like, this is your time to take gambles, right?

And I think the Canucks were like, is it worth doing that? And I don't, like I said, I heard the answer was lukewarm after the game, but I know they were interested. We're speaking to Sportsnet's Elliot Friedman here on the Halford & Brough show on Sportsnet 650. You mentioned the Patrick Alvin, Jim Rutherford double team on some of these trades that have been done already and are still being worked on. Do you have a sense in speaking around the league, what other GMs think about how much longer it'll be the two-headed monster of Rutherford and Alvin in Vancouver? Where at the early stages of the rebuild, I wonder how much longer they'll be around to see this thing through, because rebuilds take a long time. Yeah, they do. You know what?

like one of the things I've learned about rather, I've dealt with him for a lot over the years. And the, I understand all the rumors, and I, and I've heard all the rumors about, you know, how much,

like, what's going to happen with him. The one thing I know about him is he's, he can be pretty defiant. Like, when the walls close in, he tends to push back. And I've been on the receiving end of that once or twice.

And, but it's, but the thing is, I've always, I kind of like that about him. Like that's just kind of the way he is. Like he's, you know, like you don't last as long as he has as a manager in this game without having a lot of pride and a lot of like desire to be successful. And that hasn't changed in him.

I think that the more it kind of goes badly, the more he's determined to fix it. And so I don't know where this is going to go, but the one thing I can tell you is that from the limited amount of time I've had a chance to speak to him this year, like I always ask myself, does someone sound different? Do they seem different? He doesn't seem any different. And I just know, I've known him long enough to know that, like,

it's not like he would want to walk away from something like this. So we'll see what happens. I know we've got to let you go, but real quick before we let you go, I got to ask, how much did the John Carlson to Anaheim deal catch off guard? Like, you're supposed to be this great insider

for Mike? No clue. Yeah. No clue. Like, no, like I was about to go to bed. It was like,

what, 110 Eastern? And I got the phone call, someone saying, what are you doing? And I'm like, what do you think I'm doing at 1.10 a.m.? And he goes,

well, John Carlson's just betrayed it. Like, what? And it was, yeah, it was a shocker. Shocker to him,

too. You know, really tough situation. too because he was asleep and they had a trade earlier this week they traded Nick Dow to Vegas it was done the night before they said let's do the call the next day and then it got out because you know annoying reporters right so they were like what do we do here it's a tough one he's that's a hell of a move though by Anaheim I really like Carlson it's a big swing we'll see how it turns out Friege thanks for doing this today bud we appreciate it enjoy trade

deadline Friday all right All right, guys. Take good care. Yeah, you too, thanks. That's Elliot Friedman here on the Halford & Brough Show on Sportsnet 650. Yeah, so we kind of slid it in at the very end of the hit there. But in case you missed it, all due respect to the Connor Garland to Columbus move, the biggest move yesterday, which caught everybody off guard because it did come down at about 1030 our time, 1.30 Eastern.

The Anaheim Ducks made a massive swing at the deadline, acquiring veteran Washington Capitol's defenseman John Carlson in exchange for a first. than third round pick. Now there's a bunch of conditions on these picks, which I'm not going to go through, but I'll just lay it out as simply as I can. It's a first round pick and a third round pick for Carlson, who is 36, who is in the last and eighth year of an eight year, $64 million deal that carries an $8 million cap hit. Carlson is actually having an incredibly productive year for the caps. He's one of their leading scores. He's their leading defenseman score. I think everyone knows John Carlson. He's been a very good offensive defenseman for a very very good offensive defenseman for a very good. very long time. He's been a very good defenseman period for a very long time. From the capital's side of things, I think there was an understanding

that they're not going to make the playoffs, even though they're only four points out. They've kind of hit the skids. They haven't played well lately. OV's farewell season hasn't gone according to plan. And they decided to make a very bold move to stockpile the draft. What smart franchises do when they get a chance to

sell on an asset that doesn't have many years left, of contributing. Sell, take the first round pick. Now, from Anaheim's perspective, I'm not so sure. Yeah, me neither. John Carlson's a good hockey player.

For sure. But right now, unless they're able to extend him, and who knows, does he want to... He's been in Washington for close to 20 years. Are the ducks in that position? It's like, we got so many draft picks, we'll just give them away. I guess.

They're just like making it rain with draft picks, basically? It does make them better. the short term, right? And you're making a rain picks and you're like, we're going to get a good player in return. Now, I saw two very... Maybe they can resign him for a year or two, you know, and he's

still contributing. It's funny. Wysinski and Boren, both of whom we have on the show regularly and I respect both their opinions very much. Wichenski framed it as if you're in the Pacific Division this year, and it's a soft year, why not go for it? I'm like, okay. Well, the answer would be eventually you're going to find

a team outside the Pacific. Sure, but maybe a two rounds of playoff revenue? And a team that hasn't been to the playoffs in forever. Sure. Boren phrased it as you're having this kind of turnaround year in Anaheim in a year where the Pacific is horrible. You may not be nowhere as good as your record suggests in light of the fact that you've

kind of feasted on an awful division that includes the Vancouver Canucks, the worst team in hockey. Maybe now is not the time to step on the gas. And I was like, I got time for that theory as well. I don't know on this one. I'll say this. At the end of the day, I love it because I love the big, bold move.

I really do. Me too. Would the Canucks be out of their minds? Why are they still interested in Kokanyami? Have you seen what this guy? This guy's played 37 games in Carolina this year. He's barely playing. He's got two goals and seven assists.

I don't understand. He's been a disappointment. He's 25 years old. He's been a disappointment in Carolina. He's got a bunch of years left on his contract. Frege said that it's not related to a Pedersen trade. So it's not like, all right, well, we'll take the entire Pedersen contract, but you have to take some money back in Kokeney.

Like if it's not that, why? Maybe they're taking the contract off their hands. Maybe they'd get something in return for taking Kokanyami because you've got to pay him for four more years. He's got an eight-year deal. I mean, if they get something. Because to be honest, if they got a pick in exchange for bringing them aboard, I take it.

Oh, for sure. I mean, this would be weaponizing cap space, which they've got. I hope that's what it is. I mean, it better be. Yeah. I just hope it's not like, well, you know, he's young. He's only 25 years old. He's played 513 games in the NHL, and he's been getting worse.

Like he's not. Maybe they've agreed to take Kokoniemie so they could trade. Petey there without retaining. You are not listening to this show at all because three minutes ago, maybe not even that. 60 seconds ago, I said, Fridge mentioned that Kokanyami would not be part of the Pedersen deal. So it's not separate deal, as he's saying. Separate deal. I don't think that's it.

I don't think that's it. You know what you could, okay, I'm going to ignore that. He didn't rule it out. Yeah, he didn't rule it out. Two separate deals. It's a four-hour show today. What if they do this? What if they trade for them?

deploy him as a 1C next year where he's not going to be great, but neither is the team. Oh my God. And then maybe you Monahan him to a certain degree, like what Montreal did when they brought Monaghan. Sean Monaghan was a good player at one point in the NHL. Not when Montreal got him, though. I'm not saying, I'm saying, let's say, no, let's say, no.

What? He's not going to be a player. Cocanyami. He's played 500 games in the NHL. He is what he is. You're not listening to me. You acquire them and you get something in return for bringing on the content. contract and then you just use them.

You just use them. You're going to stink for the next four years. But the Monaghan argument is that he's going to turn into something that would be the best case scenario is that you were able to flip them. It would be what's called a miracle. Well, you could flip him at the deadline for a six round pick if someone needs a at which deadline in four years or two years.

Yeah. I mean, agreeing to take him. Why not? If you're going to stink, who cares. Yeah. I agree with Alford. Why would you bring on a guy that has had a very disappointing NHL? He was taking a first round pick.

He was, okay, that's. That's why you do it. That's what Halford's saying. I agree. The only reason. But the only reason. Don't sell me on anything. And I would also want to know, like, is this guy going to be a sourpuss if he comes to the Canucks?

Is he going to be the latest guy that like, hey, look, said. Like he wants out of Carolina and I don't, I guess I don't blame him because he's barely playing there because Rod Brindamore's like, nope. You know, we're a good team. We're a Stanley Cup contender. We don't have time for any passengers here. Look at it from the Canucks perspective. Like, say they know. yeah, we're going to be bad for the next five years.

So we'll take this guy. He probably won't work, but who cares? If we get a first round pick, that's all that matters. I understand that, and I have time for that. I have time for the Canucks actually weaponizing their cap space. I'm still at the stage where I have to be convinced that they're actually going to do things dramatically differently than they have in the past. You're still scared. I'm still at that stage.

He's still scared. No, I mean, that's fair. They have not earned my trust by making a couple of trades. You're still scared of the reclamation project. The tried and true recycling program that the Canucks have been in. Because we've been hearing about Coconami and the Canucks for a few years now, and it wasn't like as maybe we can get something out of it. It's like he's a young centerman who might be able to, you know, maybe with.

Yeah, salvageable from what though? He's never been good. Like, that's what I agree with you in that sense. It's like, you're not getting a good player. Like, this guy never worked out. He's a bust. Because, I mean, in that same token, I think that, and a lot of people are texting this in right now, too.

Like, if you can get LionA's contract on the books and you can get an asset in return for bringing it on a board, do it right now. Right? When we talk about how bad the next few years are going to be, like, it's going to be bad. And, you know, I know some people will push back and be like, you were the same guys that said you need a good culture and everything.

And I do understand that sometimes, bringing in these bloated owner's contracts with guys that are just kind of going through the motions. It's the antithesis of that. But there's so many things that you have to do. It's a balancing act. It is a balancing act. It is a balancing. It is got to get first round picks.

That should be their main goal right now. This whole process is the definition of a balancing act. And when you said, you know, we got to stop complaining. I understand what you're saying. But like, we're still going to judge the rebuild process as it goes along. That's what we do now. We don't judge results. Honestly, a lot of it is going to be like, you know,

you're going to look at the talent of the team and the young talent and what kind of things. But how many of us just want to cheer for a team that's trying real hard to be a team? Fun to watch. And there's camaraderie among the team and not everyone looks miserable. And I think that's, you know, Macklin Celebrini is a big reason why the sharks are considered one of the more fun teams. But even when they were getting trounced,

they just seemed to know that better things were ahead and that the young players were in it together. And they brought in some veterans like a guy like Tyler Tofoli. Everyone loves Tyler Tofoli. Like that's the type of guy you need to come in and just be like, yeah, he's a great guy. He's a great guy. He's a pretty good player and he can teach.

And they just need to. Like the culture, also shows itself to the fans. It's not just a team thing. We know what a good culture looks like even when we're not in the room. And it looks like, you know, people holding themselves accountable.

People joking around and having a good time. People out in the community because they like the community and they want to do right by the community. And that sort of stuff matters and that sort of stuff has been very much lost by the Vancouver Canucks. Okay, we got our one of the show complete.

podcast will be up shortly. Hour two is on the horizon. AJ from AJ's Pizza on his Broadway is going to join us in a few minutes. A reminder. It is Friday. I know it's trade deadline day, but we're still going to do Ask Us Anything's throughout the show. We've actually got some time after AJ to do some. So get yours in right now. Dunbar Lumber text line is 650, 650. Hashtag it, AUA. Put a pizza emoji into your text. And here's the thing. You could win a $100 gift card to AJ's pizza if you submit the best Ask Us Anything. And you can have it right on the air coming up next. We got an open. segment after AJ 730. Murph's going to join the program. Dan Murphy, Sportsnet Canucks reporter, is going to join us from Chicago where the Canucks have set up their trade deadline headquarters for the day. They, of course, play the Blackhawks tonight.

You can hear that right here on SportsNet 650. Hour one of the Halford and Brough show is in the books. You're listening to The Halford and Brough show on SportsNet 650.