Halford & Brough in the Morning - Rick & Sat With Canucks Trade Deadline Predictions

Episode Date: March 7, 2025

In hour three, Mike & Jason talk the latest NHL Trade Deadline news related to the Canucks with Donnie & Dhali's Rick Dhaliwal (2:25), as well as Canucks Central host Satiar Shah (29:16). 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.

RICK DOLLY WALL It's time for Dolly, Rick Dollywall. It's time for Rick Dollywall. Rick Dollywall. It's time for Dolly, Rick Dollywall. It's time for Rick Dollywall. Rick Dollywall. ["Rick Dollywall Theme"] 802 on a Friday. Happy Friday everybody. Halford Brough Sportsnet 650. Halford Brough of the morning is brought to you by Vancouver Honda, Vancouver's premier destination for Honda customers. They have a friendly, knowledgeable staff. They can help with anything you're

looking for, sales, financing, service or parts. We are in our three, no, our, what is it? I don't even know. Yeah, we are three. Yeah. Four hour show. I'm all over the map. We got trades coming in. Finally, we'll get here. Is it, we'll get to it in just a second. Hour three of this program is brought to you by Campbell and pound real estate appraisers. Trust the expertise of Campbell and pound. Visit them on the internet at Campbell-pound.com today. If you have the trade, I'll do the read.

What is the trade that we got going here? We're holding on a sec. We are coming to you live from the Kintec studio, Kintec footwear and orthotics working together with you and Steph. I don't have any conclusive evidence here but it really does sound like there's a trade between the senators and the sabers. We have a trade to announce. Possibly involving Josh Norris and Dylan Cousins. Okay. All trades today on Sportsnet 650 are coming courtesy Tiltown.

If you want to trade your old look for a new look, come see the latest and new styles at Tiltown, proudly Canadian owned and operated for over 50 years. Visit them today at mytiltown.ca. Aren't those two names that have been bandied about in Vancouver? Josh Norris.

Well, Josh Norris. Well, Josh Norris is best buds with Quinn Hughes. And Dylan Cousins. There had been talk earlier in the season and I think it might've been just Freage throwing out the idea. Do you remember that? I do remember that.

Who would say no to that? There was a big long, one-flong deep dive on Dylan Cousins and Bowen Byram. And Bowen Byram. Yeah. Right. Okay. Let's go to the phone lines.

Rick Dollywall joins us now on the Haliford and Brush show on Sportsnet 650. What up, Ricky D.? Gentlemen, big day, four hours, well, under four hours to go and boy, oh boy, let's see what the Canucks do. Boy, oh boy, which could be a big day, it could be a lot of noise or it could be silent. We don't know. We're going to find out. What is the goal for the Canucks today? Well, first of all, this week, Jason was all about moving out Suzie, Suter and Forbert. And by the way, I did tell you guys last week, if Forbert gets past the deadline today, that's

a guy they may extend. Great on the PK and the Canucks don't know yet if that Elias Pedersen, the defenseman is a full-time player yet. Pedersen is only 20 years old, right? So make sure you're protected on that left side because I don't see anything coming from Abbotsford on the left side for next year. So keep an eye on that one.

He's a great penalty killer. And if they can get them for cheap, forward would be worth keeping. Oh, absolutely. I think that's, if he gets passed today, I do believe, and I told you guys last week that I wouldn't be surprised if they extend forward. I think it would be a, and we're not talking two three four years

We're talking probably another year just a placeholder till you are sure that Ellie's Petterson the defenseman is a full-time player The Canucks obviously are talking trade about Besser But they have also had an open mind when it comes to listening on Petterson Demko Garland and Hoaglander this week teams. comes to listening on Pettersson, Demko, Garland and Hoglender this week. Teams, yes, have called on Pettersson, but unless you're getting a star center back, it doesn't make sense. This team's strength is not up the middle of the ice. The Canucks are already looking for a second line center. So then you also want to move your first line center, although he is struggling albeit, but the return would have to make sense

at the center ice position if you're going to move Pedersen. But I don't know, I think the feeling is let him run out the table for the rest of the year and then reevaluate him. So which way the Canucks are going to go today is fascinating, but management I've been told has to consider this week injuries to Demko and Hughes. This is probably not going to be their year, right guys? They know it. These two guys banged up doesn't help. Demko skated Tuesday this week. Some thought more than one person thought he'd be back this week, but who knows? We'll see today a practice. Demko's injuries, a big concern of the team. Hughes, we don't know when he's going to be back.

So I do believe that those injuries are being factored in to what the Canucks do this week. So let's get to Brock Besser. I said earlier this week only playoff teams wanted Besser and most of those teams are up against the cap. They don't want to part with a first rounder. Maybe they get the first rounder today. I don't know.

They had trouble getting it this week. Does that change with Nelson getting a first-rounder last night? Now, Besser has got four goals in his last 25 games. I think something like that. That's not helping his case or the Canucks case as well. But the more and more people you talked to last night and this morning, this certainly looks like it could be geared up for a trade today. Besser does have a no trade. So I am sure his camp will be busy this morning sorting through potential places to be traded.

His agents got control here, was told do not rule out a trade with Besser. I mean, like, but honestly guys, everything's on the table with Besser, right? But I know a lot of people, oh, you know, don't be surprised if he doesn't get moved. Well, I'm telling you, don't everything is on the table with Besser. I know a lot of people, don't be surprised if he doesn't get moved.

I'm telling you, don't be surprised if he does get moved. They are going to try. They are going to try in the next three plus hours. It's either keep them or remove them. I told you guys on Monday, I would be shocked if Besser is re-signed. Here we are less than three or less than four hours to go, no signing. If they couldn't get close in eight months, how are they going to get close this week?

The Canucks gave Miller seven years, they give Pettersson eight years, but they won't do the same for Besser. They do think he's a good player, but they don't think he's a star level player. The term could be an issue for Besser on July 1st. One team told me last night, if he's available this summer, they're going to go after him, but they're not going to overpay. The Canucks trying to move Pedersen three, four months into an eight year deal has scared a lot of teams. Teams are going to do their homework before committing

to a player for seven years on July 1st. The Canucks have always been willing to go past this deadline with Brock. They're in a playoff spot. You trade Besser for picks and prospects. And guess what? Those playoff chances take a hit. You probably want a good, good roster player back who can help score for Besser.

And obviously you want the high draft pick. Look, guys, I think if you talk to people that know Besser, it's been a tough week. He's been a model draft pick, the class human being off the ice, loved by his teammates. He does not, he does want to return, sorry, but the business side of hockey is rearing its ugly head. He won't be the first player to leave the city because of a contract issue.

If he leaves, he's gonna leave with a heavy heart and this city will miss him, but that's where we're at with Besser. It's either a trade or it's either he gets kept and people will be stunned and shocked if he's signed. I think we all know that's not going to happen. Could that change though, let's say they keep him and he plays well down the stretch and maybe into the

playoffs. Could things change then? Yeah, okay. Can you clear up cap space? I mean, you know, okay, so that gets you into suitor today and it gets into forebird. Can you save more money? You know, they did a good job with Susie, right? You know, they got that money off the books. So it did look, can they use his if they keep them, can they use his cap space on July 1st to go out and get a scoring winger. So there's a lot of things to play, but it's not been an easy decision. Like I people just say, you know, off the, you know, off the cuff remarks, I get rid of them, a slow get rid of them, this that look, get rid of them, this, that. Look, there's a relationship with this player in this city for nine plus years. Um,

have you guys ever heard of any bad news about Brock off the ice? Like, you know, he's been in, you know, the pitcher in nightclubs or this or that this guy, like when, when you go out and do draft, like I know what the Bantam level for the Western hockey league Bantam draft, like Western Hockey League Bantam draft, like Western Hockey League teams will call coaches, no teachers in grade one or seven or eight to get a character check on a player.

Grade one teacher. Oh sure, sure. I don't remember him, it was a while ago. It was, but I've heard of that and it's important to do character checks, Jason. Sure. And the Canucks hit a grand slam with Brock Besser in terms of character.

They did their homework. Uh, he's been a model draft pick, like I said, those guys are hard to find. Like they're hard to find. They look, this city. So why are they apparently willing to let him go? Like, is it, is it, is it his speed? Is it the term risk?

What, what, what is it? Well, I, I, I think I said in the opening, they think he's a good player, but they don't think he's a star level player. So why did they give Miller seven years? Why did they get Pederson eight and why are they giving him five? There's a gap there.

And the gap is they like this player and they think he's good, but they don't think he's seven, eight years good. they've given him five. There's a gap there and the gap is they like this player and they think he's good but they don't think he's seven, eight years good and that's why we're sitting here today and the possibility of him getting traded the next three plus hours is because they're not willing to go to seven and eight years and he's willing to bet he'll get six or seven on July 1st. It's the economics, it's the business side, you've got to take that emotion out. You know, his agent this week, think about what he's gone through, Brock Nelson he had. Brock Nelson was in tears doing a press conference with the Islanders on Wednesday or Thursday. This has been

a tough week for a lot of players in the National Hockey League and I'll get into Sushi in a bit. Like this has been a tough week. They got families, they got young kids that some of these guys are married. Some of them are not. It, it, it's like until you're in that position of these guys. And look, I, and I said this before, Bessar does not want to leave. Think about this for a second. Hughes might leave in two years and the Canucks might be in a decline for four or five years.

Yet this guy wants to sign for six, seven, eight years. he's committing to the city or in the team long term but the team's not doing it for him but why does he want to come back because there's an emotional attachment he likes the city doesn't want to leave but this is the business side of hockey and you know this city had Pavel Burey leave there isn't a bigger player the left in this market than Pavel Burey he's the best player of franchise history. Look, in five, 10 years, there might be another player of, well, there might be one in two years with Quinn Hughes.

We might be going through this with Quinn Hughes. It's the business side of hockey and it gets very emotional. And I think this is going to be a very tough day for Brock. Hey Rick, I want to go back to what you said earlier, um, about the injuries to Demko, the injuries to Hughes and maybe recognizing that this isn't their year.

So can you maybe extrapolate what that might mean at the deadline? Well, Rick Tuckett said the other day, we might have to shut Quinn down for seven days, right? And we just might have to shut him down and just let him get a hundred percent. Demko up and down, like one week here he's close, one week here he's, you know, he's not there, the team's concerned. Look, there's 20 plus games left.

Are they going to make the playoffs without Demko and Hughes? Like is there as good chance if these guys are out for a lengthy period of time so you got to take that into account you got to take it to account so everyone's saying don't we're gonna make the playoffs don't trade these guys well okay are you gonna make the playoffs if Quinn Hughes is not is gonna miss 30 to 40 percent of the remaining games you got to take that into factor you get you really got to understand the injuries for Hughes and Demko and how they're gonna play a role down the stretch because you know, you could say, okay, well, Demko, Demko, this, that, but here's the thing on Demko. The longer he's out, the more C-lobs is in. And the combination is Lanken and the C-lobs as opposed to Lanken and Demko. So you got to factor everything in this week. Jason, you just have to.

Carson Sousi. Is there a story to tell about that trade? There is. You know what? At first, when the news leaked that the Canucks were shopping Sousi, he had a tough time with it. That's why players get no trade clauses. You know why? For security.

His wife was late into a pregnancy when she signed a Vancouver. He's only in year two of a year, a three year deal. His agent Jerry Johansson worked with the Canucks. Suzie's got two small girls. He's from Alberta. Big reason why he picked Vancouver in the first place, close to home. I thought he might only wave to a West Coast team, but Johansson told me that if a team has interest, you have to evaluate that opportunity on its own merits and that's what they did when the Rangers called. The Canucks asked him to

wave yesterday morning. He took nearly four hours to decide. JT Miller probably took two seconds to do the wave. Susie took four hours to wave. What does that tell you? Tough decision. Talk to the family in between. He did get a call from JT Miller, making a pitch on behalf of the big Apple. Always helps when you know your new teams got some guys that you know, Maple East and the jets were two teams in on Susie. The jets were right there to the end. And thanks to that third rounder, the Canucks now have a pick in every

round of this year's draft. So from that angle, I like the fact because the Canucks don have a pick in every round of this year's draft. So from that angle, I like the fact because the Canucks don't have a third next year and a second in two, but they got ample time to get those picks back. But after the disastrous draft last year, where you only got picks four, five, six, seven, it's nice to know the Canucks will have every pick. But you know what? They might use that third rounder today. We don't know, but we talked about the emotion for Besser this week, the emotion for Susie, family, young family. Now, you know, instead of being in Vancouver, he's got to go all the way across the country, you know, all the way across North America to New York.

And of course that plays a role with a young family. But anyways, I just wanted to say that that was a tough one for him as well. There was a report out there yesterday that the Canucks are listening on Elias Pedersen. I don't know, you kind of mentioned that earlier in the hit. We had Elliott Friedman on earlier and he said, I don't expect for Elias Pedersen to get

traded. But what do you think is going on with him and the team right now? The team's called. Every team's allowed to call. I mean, like I mentioned yesterday that Connor Garland has had a great year and teams are on the NHL notice. The Canucks aren't the only team that makes calls this week. Teams are making calls to Vancouver and they're thinking, okay, you guys aren't going to make the playoffs. Are you willing to get rid of this guy, this guy, this guy, this guy? You know, it works both ways.

You know, it works both ways. And with Pedersen teams call, they listen. They have to listen. It's a part of their job. This is the week. Look, I was told that the only guys that they're not listening on obviously use is your franchise defensemen, but they're not going on obviously use is your franchise defensemen, but they're not going to listen on a Heronic or Marcus Patterson or Lankanen.

Those guys are all signed long-term. They're a big part of the core of the future. When a team calls on Patterson, you've got to listen. But again, Jason, look at the center-ice position for me and look at it going forward. Your top line center right now is on pace for 52 points. What NHL team is going far in the National Hockey League with the first line centre with just 50 points and that's if he gets to 50 because he has a score of 14 but the centre-ice position tells me like Elliott said this week on our show there's going to become a moment this year where they

sit down and talk to Pedersen and they said, look, you've got to go home this summer and you've got to have one hell of a summer. You can't have a summer like last year. And you've got to come to training camp just guns ablaze and ready to go. Like to me, to me, obviously they've talked to him and had numerous meetings and saying, look, you've got to be a difference maker. You're making 11.6 in the Canadian market. You know, you got fans, media, you got management,

ownership, everybody wants to see a difference maker. Jason, they're not seeing a difference maker right now. And that's a big concern. But look at the center-right's position. Even if you moved him, what happens? Are you getting picks and prospects or are you getting a top line center back? Right? I was struck, and I've are you getting a top line centre back? Right. I was struck and I've said this to a few people.

I was struck by Rick Tockett's comments a few days ago when, when he said, you know, we're, we're seeing some good stuff out of PD I think over the last 48 hours. And while I was, I guess encouraged by that, as my negative brain went, like what the hell has he been doing for the first part of the season? Hey, well, let me, did you not find it

interesting that Pederson had his press conference where he said, you know, I've been underachieving, I got to be better in the week of the trade deadline. Where were the Canucks last week in LA? Where is, where is Pedersen's agent live? Pat Brasson LA. I'm sure Pat talked to him and Quinn. Any guys that go to LA, Pat talks to them, right? You know, they're in LA, probably had a meeting with Brasson. He comes back and he starts doing all this extra stuff, talk it's happy and he has this press conference

where he says, hey, I got to be better. I I gotta be better. I mean I'm connecting the dots here and you know it's the trade deadline. I'm sure the connects have told Pat and Elias that look guys it's time to get going here, we got to see a difference maker and trade deadlines around the corner. Like I'm just trying to connect the dots on the timing of his comments. Hey you mentioned talking, I want to say this um King's coach, Jim Hiller, said yesterday he's been in regular conversations with management about the trade deadline. It got me wondering about Tocket. I am sure he's being kept abreast about any moves this week, but what input can he have when he doesn't have a contract for next year? I'm just trying to figure

out can the Canucks ask Tocket who we should go after next year and he might not be here. But I was told the Tocket is very much a part of the talks this week. The growing sense is that they need to keep them happy because they do want him back. But a coach who has not committed to this team at the trade deadline and beyond maybe tells you he

doesn't want to be back next year. So I had conversations about a contract extension? I, I, the way it was told to me is that Tauke wants to be patient about this. But I'm asking you guys like, how can you ask a coach of the deadline, what do you want for next year, who should we get rid of and who should we keep when he might not be here?

Yeah, it's, it's a tough one. And I, and I always wondered if it would be Taukeet that says goodbye to the Canucks as opposed to the Canucks saying goodbye to Taukeet. Yeah. And then you got to ask yourself why, why is he saying no to Vancouver? Like if he does walk, the million dollar

question is why didn't you resign? Like I'm looking at the NHL, yeah, and the great thing for Tau talk it is NHL teams change coaches, like we change clothes. Like, you know, it's every year there's five, six guys getting fired. So I'm sure he'll get a job somewhere, but, um, you got to ask yourself why that contract's not

been signed, what's holding them back. Um, because I've been told the team wants them back. Um, it's obviously they're not getting the commitment from him. You got to ask yourself why. Well, look at the lineup. I mean, is he looking at the lineup and going, I can't win with this.

I can't win with it. You traded away JT Miller. That's it. And Pedersen isn't performing. Yeah, we got Quinn Hughes, but it's the same thing as we have the conversation about, Brock Besser is looking at Hughes, but it's the same thing as we have the conversation about, Brock Besser is looking at this team and it's not trending in a great direction, yet he's still willing to stay.

And what does that say about his loyalty to the organization? Obviously says a lot, but Rick Taukett wants to win. This guy has won at every level as a coach, as a player. If I was looking at this and realizing how important the center position is, I'd be like, we're not even close to a cup here. No, and if he's going to resign here, knowing that the number one center is on pace for 50

points inside for seven more years, is that appealing? And can he get through to them? Can he get through to them? You have to have, you have, I mean, this is, uh, again, he's in the leadership group, Peterson, apparently. Um, and you know, like, can you, you need everyone on the same page in order to win,

which is why it struck me that he said, you know, in the last 48 hours, we've seen so good stuff out of Petey, which I'm like, what, were you, what, what was going on while the city was burning to the ground watching this guy play? Yes. And, and so those are all factors he's got to take in. And look at the way Taki played the game.

Power forward, he defended his teammates, he fought, he scored, uh, he played with emotion, he played with passion, he played with enthusiasm. I kind of, I kind of guess that's what he wants from his players too. Like, look, give the connection. Well, it is hockey. You have to play like that. Well, but not everybody does though, do they? Like we're always questioning some players,

oh, he's got to have more of this, he's got to have more of this. Look, the blue line's better. The blue line set up nicely. He's also got to guess, talk it, if Hughes is going to be here in two years. Like, if he signs for three or four or five years and Hughes has gone in two, how's he going to feel when a franchise defenceman has gone in two? He's got a lot of things on his plate he's got to think about and he's got to put one eye on the future of Vancouver. Is Pedersen going to get better? Is Hughes leaving in two years? These are questions he's gotta be asking himself right now. Rick, you're the best buddy. Thanks for taking the time to do this today. We appreciate it. Enjoy the rest of trade deadline day. It should be fun. Thanks guys. Take care.

Have a good one buddy. Rick Dollywall, Canucks reporter from Czech TV. Donnie Dolly here on the Haliford & Bruffshire on Sportsnet 650. While that hit was going down, we do have some news to pass along. Greg? We have a trade to announce. Former Vancouver Canucks forward Anthony Bovillier is on the move, in case you missed where he's at. He was with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He is now a member of the Washington Capitals. And the Washington Capitals paid a second round pick

in the upcoming 2025 NHL entry draft. For Bovillier? What? Second round pick in 2025. How could you say Besser has no value when Bovillier is getting getting a second rounder and plus the Canucks are apparently willing to retain on yeah That's all calm down. Let's go make it happen. Let's go through the details here Bavilia who has played for I believe five teams in the last two calendar years you go. Let's see if we can do it Islanders Canucks Blackhawks

But Islanders, Canucks, Blackhawks, Penguins, I think the Preds were in there. Preds were in there, yeah. And now the Caps. So he's well moved. He fetches a second round pick at the Deadline. He is having a decent year. He's got 13 goals in 63 games. That's a decent year, close to 20 goals.

It's not a second round pick. Is he a pending UFA? See, here's the thing, Jason. Does he have term? He is a second round, worth a second round pick, because that's what the Washington Capitol has just paid for him. He's on a one-year deal. It is expiring at the end of the year.

It is 1.25 million. It's a pretty big price to pay for a bottom six forward that is going to add whatever it is that Anthony Bovillier adds, whether you like his goal scoring prowess this year or not. It's a lot to pay, but that is the going rate. it is that Anthony Bovillier adds, whether you like his goal scoring prowess this year or not, it's a lot to pay, but that is the going right. While this was happening and we were talking to Dollywell, I almost wanted to ask him like, did a third rounder for Susie not feel a little light?

That was my first thought when I saw the trade. I don't think so. Susie really struggled this year and plus he's got another year left on the deal. I was happy to get. Susie really struggled this year and plus he's got another year left on the deal. Wouldn't that make it more appealing? And plus it's San Jose's third. So that might. Theoretically, trading a guy with terms, so

you're not even just giving a rental, like you get him, you get the honour and the prestige of having Carson, Susie and your employee for another year. Yeah, but he didn't play well. That's true. That is very true. He really, he was, if we're using the low key, he was low key

one of the most disappointing Canucks this season. Nice guy. Yeah. Did not play well at all. I'd even go as far as to say regular key. He was disappointing. Not even low key. He was regular key. Well, he wasn't like- Low key, he was regular key. He wasn't like PD key. Right? There's a whole brand of keys. He was regularly. He wasn't like PD key, right? There's a whole brand of keys. Okay, real quick, if you're wondering if this is the last half hour of the show like normal,

no, we're here until 10 a.m. this morning. So we will walk you through everything else. I did not announce anything on that rumored Ottawa Buffalo trade right now. It still seems as though all the insiders are trying to work out the pieces involved. Right now it sounds as though it's Josh Norris and Bernard Docker going from Ottawa to Buffalo.

And the return piece right now is Dylan Cousins and the rest is to be determined. It's Jacob Bernard Docker, by the way. His name isn't Bernard Docker. Go ahead. Bernie Docker. Bernie D. By the way, someone texted in, it's a good point.

Suzy also had a no trade clause, like a full no trade clause, so the Canucks didn't have a lot of. Uh. Once JT Miller picked up the phone and sold them on New York. Come here, you should see the lights and the buildings. Have you ever been to New York?

Man, at night it is amazing. Okay. So trade deadline coverage on Sportsnet 650 is brought to you by AJ's Pizza on East Broadway. It's for diehard pizza people. You can order online at AJ's.Pizza. Coming back after the break, we're going on a run now. A run of Canucks-related guests. We just had Dolly Wall on the program. Murph's gonna join us. Sat's gonna join us. And iMac, they're all gonna join us over the next hour and a half.

We are here until 10 a.m. taking you through trade deadline 2025. You're listening to the Haliford and Brough show on Sportsnet 650. Hey, it's Mick 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 or wherever you get your podcasts. anything Friday. It's trade deadline Friday. We're here until 10 a.m. this morning. That's right. An extra hour of Haliford and Brough. Really quick, that Bovillier to Washington trade has been officially finalized. Washington just announced it. It's a second round pick going to the Pittsburgh Penguins for former Vancouver Canucks forward Anthony Bovillier. All trade announcements on Sportsnet 6 week today are brought to you by Tiltown. If you want to trade your old look for a new look, come see the latest and new styles at Tiltown.

Proudly Canadian owned and operated for over 50 years. Visit them today at mytiltown.ca. We got a run of really great Canucks guests in the final two hours of this program. We just had Rick Dollywall, we got Satyarshah coming up in a moment, we got Dan Murphy, we got Ian McIntyre, what a final two hours of the Halford and Brough Show on Trade Deadline Day. Let's go to the phone lines now, Satyarshah joins us here.

Satyarshah was just about to join us here on the Halford and Brough Show on Sportsnet 650. One of the dogs, I'm blaming the dogs, they put their paw on the phone and dropped Sat. Yeah. They're animals basically. He's a big dumb animal folks. That I'm talking about the dogs of course, not Sat.

He's a beautiful human being. We got a lot to get into with the Vancouver Canucks with Sat. A lot of, I assume will be similar conversations to what we had with Rick just prior to the break, but no action yet in case you're just waking up and you're tuning into Sportsnet 650 on the trade front. It's been quiet overall. The Beauville trade is really the only one that's been cemented and finalized. Come on. The Jason Zucker extension is done in Buffalo two years, 4.75 per.

But not a trade. Not a trade. Ottawa and Buffalo are doing the dance on a fairly significant deal. The main piece is there is that Josh Norris is gonna be going from Ottawa to Buffalo. Dylan Cousins, who failed to stand up for his captain, Rasmus Dallin yesterday, when they were playing the Tampa Bay Lightning, is now quickly being traded away from Buffalo.

He apparently is on his way to Ottawa. We don't have that one finalized yet. We don't know all the pieces in play. So we will try and get that to you as soon as we find out when the deal is consummated. Let's go to the phone lines now, try this again. Satya Arshah here on the Halford and Brough Show on Sportsnet 650.

What up, Sat? What's going on, boys? You know, another trade deadline, a lot of moves happening, Conuck's quiet so far. Are you hearing anything? Uh, so just before you guys call that a quick combo, I doesn't seem like the Canucks are super close on anything. They are working very hard, but it didn't seem like they're imminently,

uh, going to make a trade, but they are listening on all their UFAs and they are trying to make deals and I think they're still trying to find somebody that can be an impact player for them. I know Bruce Garriot mentioned that the Canucks and Sens went pretty far down the road on a Norris trade. That wouldn't shock me that that is actually true. I do believe that they were trying to find a player like that and have been looking for it.

So they're trying to do the hybrid thing, listening on their rentals, but very much actively trying to find a player that can help them up top. Is that the goal? We had a big, long conversation about the lack of creativity in the Canucks top six. You know, when people ask about, well, what do you want them to add size, speed or whatever?

I'm like, how about a guy that can make some stuff happen? Is that a realistic ad for the day though? So today I think it's going to be tough. Because I think what the connoisseur is trying to find is a player that's going to help them from a team that's most likely competitive, like say Josh North, like he made sense

in so many different ways. That creativity wise is he more of a goal scored than a creative player, but he's certainly a player like a player in your top six and there's a whole quick use connection. I just think it's going to be tough to them to find that guy who's going to be a long term fit here at the deadline.

And you see what the prices are for the rentals to begin with. So the rental market doesn't make any sense for Vancouver considering where they find themselves. And there's three and a half hours to go here by the deadline. It just might be too tough of an ask, especially when a guy who was available and Josh Norris is already gone.

Well, here's another guy that's not available, Pierre Lebrun reporting that the islanders have told pending UFA, Kyle Palmieri, they're not trading him today and they're focused on working on a contract extension with him over the coming days. This seems to be in theory at least driving up the price for Brock Besser. What do you think they could get for this guy? So yesterday, their interest seems to be a bit soft on Besser, but a lot of that has

to do with their other dominoes that are bigger ahead of him. I mentioned Ransom specifically, and it's still not clear if it looks like if something is going to happen. It'll be with Dallas and we'll see if they can work at that contract extension or not. And the other one really was Brock Nelson. Now he's gone. So you had two big players really that were kind of in their own league.

They're somewhat at least off the market. It looks like a Rantunen too. So I think that is creating now more interest to see what prices are for guys like Vivillier was nowhere near what Besser is. I mean, he's got 13 goals this year, but you've got a second round draft. Like I'd imagine you can get a late first for Besser if you really want to move them or at least something along those lines. The biggest thing with Vancouver as of yesterday was they wanted to be able to flip those assets for somebody to help them. I'm not sure how interested they are in just taking the assets

in and of themselves. Now, if the pick or the prospect is good enough, maybe it can change their mind. Like they're, I'm sure there'll be flute enough to take a really good offer if they had to, even if it doesn't help them, you know, for the rest of the season. But the goal is to either flip Fester for something that could help them long-term or to keep Fester past the deadline. And I'm not sure if they're going to get the type of offer that allows them to hold on to let that go and not replace them by the deadline. And I think that would be the biggest signal, I think, for the organization as far as have they changed their

minds based on what the market's been for these players, what other teams are doing, what they might be unable to do to improve your team, do they just come to the realization you just have to take the pick or take the best asset possible? But it still seems like the goal is to flip Besser if they're getting him. So I think it's pretty complicated. We'll see what happens here over the next three hours. But it's not as simple as they just want the best asset for Besser. They are willing to retain. I'm sure they're willing to retain up to 50%, but it's more about what can you do with that asset

if you do get it in hand. Considering how aggressive they are in trying to get that higher end asset for better, it leads me to believe that they have something they're going to try to do. Um, they've spent all season accruing cap space to the point where I don't know how many times I've said accruing, but to the point where, I don't know how many times I've said accruing, but

I've said it a lot. They have, is it, correct me if I'm wrong here, around 13 million in deadline cap space. Is there any way they use that in creative ways to maybe help facilitate a trade and take a fee on the way? I think they're open to doing that. And I think they're willing to doing that. Um, and I think they're willing to do things

along those lines. And I think they're even willing to take on a player at the rental for the rest of the season. If they don't have to pay the player anything, but considering what the prices are, that might seem unlikely. I mean, the only guy I could look at that has a, a bit of an onerous contract that you can

maybe get off the books for free for the rest of the season would be a Robbie Fabry type who's making that eight gold to four million on the cap. But is that enticing to you? You know, so I think even the cheap rentals might not really work out, but I do believe they would like to facilitate trades and get some assets back if possible. They haven't shown an ability to pull that off yet. I know with Western Conference teams, sometimes they want to get an Eastern Conference team involved and that help a team out in the West, so that complicates things. But I do think they are more than willing to

use that cap space in creative ways. It's just, are they going to be able to pull that off? Making the playoffs, how much is that a driving factor in their decision making today? It's a big factor. It absolutely is. I think it's twofold one. I think the organization, as far as management is concerned, they're

always willing to compete. They always want to make the playoffs to see value and making the postseason. We've heard obviously that, you know, from an ownership perspective, they want to make the playoffs. Now, obviously making the playoffs and playing one or two games makes you a little bit of money, but the real money comes in going on a longer run, right? So how much are they truly pushing just to make the playoffs? I think organizationally they see real value in it. And I think a big part of it from what I've heard too is I don't know if they want to punt on the season and have Quinn Hughes

return from injury and be like, okay, so we're not playing for anything. I think they want to be competitive the rest of the season. So I think it is a big factor. How much of it is driven by ownership? How much is driven by Hughes? How much of it is driven by, you know, this management's overall posture and what they believe in. I think that's hard to ascertain, but I think the quaint use factor and the fact that management truly wants to be a playoff team year in and year

out is really driving this. Um, what do you think about Rick Taukett's situation right now with,, which is kind of the word of the year for the Canucks uncertainty on his status going forward? Yeah, I mean, I'm not surprised, right? I mean, I mentioned a couple of weeks back that I believe the Canucks are going to take a run here

and talk to, talk before the season ends and see if they can work something out. The biggest question was going to be how willing is Tauke it to get something done? I think management and ownership is very happy with Rick Tauke it. They want to keep Rick Tauke it here long-term, but what does Rick Tauke it want to do?

And, you know, I heard what Dolly Wall said today, maybe he has a bit more intel here on the situation. Maybe they did approach him and maybe he's like, hey, let's take some time. But I do think the biggest issue is going to be what does Rick Tauken want to do. And if Rick Tauken wants to stay here, I don't think it's going to be hard for them to get a deal done. Now, if he's going to be demanding, you know, five, six, seven million per season, the biggest contract ever for a coach, maybe that could, you know, change the conversation. I'm not sure, you know, he's in line for that anyways.

But I think they really want to keep them. The big question is, is this what Rick Tauken wants to do? And how much of that is also driven by what does the team go to look like in a year's time, in two years time? What's happening with Quinn Hughes? So I think there are a lot of things that have to be figured out here

before Rick Tauken feels comfortable at extending with the Canucks. We're speaking to Satyar Shah, host of Canucks Central right here on Sportsnet 650. You are listening to the Halford and Bruff show on Trade Deadline Day. Based on what you saw, granted, it was only one game, it was a relatively small sample size,

although it did come in a stretch of three good days in a row, according to head coach Rick Tocket. What are your thoughts right now on where Elias Pedersen's game is at? If he strings together five or six of those, maybe we can start talking about, um, him finding his way out of it. Right. Like, you know, like I, I love would talk, it said, I like how he played, but we've seen some good games. Like how we forget the selfie game in Toronto, right?

That was the best game of the season. I mean, he was going to get the selfie. And I was like, man, he's figured it out. So I'm really done with the one game. Um, you know, declarations and be like, okay, he's going to figure it out. Can you be stringed those together? Then I'll get excited about it. Like I've said this before, I'll say it again. I believe that Pederson is going to figure it out. I just don't know if it's going to be in Vancouver or not, but it would be best

for everyone for him to figure it out down the stretch here, because as much as we sit here and talk about trades, if the connects are trading in Leos Pedersen today, they're probably not getting a lead forward, back and return. So if you trade him just to get the cap space, you're not finding a lead forward in free agency anyway. So the best case is for him to figure it out here, but I know I need to see a few games in a row here

to feel confident about him turning his game around. What do you think happened this past off season? Because that seems to be the, the, it might be the hope for Canucks fans that he just had a bad off season. Maybe the tendonitis was something to do with that. But it also seems to be a message from the Canucks that he didn't take his off season more seriously. And that is, you know, if the Canucks keep

Pedersen, we all know what the narrative is going to be like. He's going to have a great off season. He's going to work out. He's going to get stronger. He's going to figure out why, you know, his, his skating fell off and, uh, figure out why he wasn't shooting as much.

And then he's going to come back into camp in terrific shape and we're all going to forget what happened over the last year. It's a big gamble to take, but it might be the only hope at this point. Yeah, I think, you know, what happened, probably not enough this off season from the team's perspective.

Like, I don't think they feel like he did enough to prepare himself. Now there are two things, two ways to look at the injury. One is, well, he, he had a bad knee injury and, or has a tendonitis in his knee. He needed rest that impacted his training, as he mentioned. And the best thing he thought was take it easy this summer and I'll get myself back. That's the, um, I think kindly of looking at it and saying, Hey,

he's just trying to get better. The right thing, the reason the organization has been frustrated with his lack of preparation, so to speak, is I think they believe he could have done more to get himself ready for the season and perhaps even help strengthen the knee. And when you look at the knee tendonitis stuff, now I'm certainly not a physician. I've been asking around to physicians to kind of get an idea of what's going on and how to deal with it. And there are, every person is different.

Every situation is different. Um, and everyone has different ways to handle these types of injuries and the recovery for it. However, there is a thought that there are ways to strengthen and work through that and make that issue better. It's not easy. It takes a lot of work. It's difficult.

You have to kind of retrain yourself to do some different things to really strengthen your knee up and to work around it. But there was a way to do it. I don't think the team felt like he did enough to ensure that he can be as strong as possible this year. They understand he has a bit of an ailment, but nothing that wasn't able to work on, right? And I think for next year,

if he's still going through the same issue, he's gonna have to have the toughest, hardest off season of his career. Like he's gonna have to put the work in and really take it to that extra level. And perhaps he was naive. I think the kindest way to look at it is to say he was naive perhaps. If you want to be cynical, you can say he didn't care enough. But I don't think that's the case. But I do think he didn't have the right approach. I don't think he had the right approach to train this offseason. And he

will have a different one this offseason for sure. The question is, can he find that speed and burst back? Don't you think that's a shocking breakdown in communication? Yeah, it is. I mean, here's where it gets, so a team can tell a player all they want. These are things that you want to do, but they have no control over their off season training.

And I think Pedersen is also the type of guy that, once he goes away, he likes to kind of be away. And, you know, he, we've heard that he does take guidance. We thought always the guy that's working most closely with team people in the office needs his own type of people that he's owned people he works with and all those, those sorts of things, whether it's a breakdown of communication or whether it's just the way he's gone about things, it has to change. You know, and I think it's clear that even though Pederson clearly has something and you know, they've mentioned that he's been dealing with something,

nobody wants to use it as an excuse because I believe there's an understanding that he could have done more to prepare himself for this season. There is a game tonight. I think we should remind everybody about this. Oh yeah. Bank of Reconyx are playing.

It's kind of a disadvantage for the teams that have to play tonight, eh? I always, I mean, I've heard it kicked around. I'm not like I'm the one bringing this to the table, but I've heard it enough that I've had support for it. The NHL should go dark in terms of games on trade deadline day. It does make it very difficult.

Like if you're going to try and make moves today. Like they're going to trade better and then like, oh, well, we'd be able to get the new guy in town? Well, and they wouldn't. And then they'd be going shorthanded into a game where they like desperately need the points. Right. So I have time for that. But anyway, they are playing the Minnesota Wilds tonight. You think there's a chance we see Quinn Hughes tonight? Ah, man. So my gut feel is no. But we'll see. Like does Quinn just force it away if they don't

make any trades or does he get dejected and say, you know what, I'll just take some time off here and we'll figure out what's going to happen. But like, I think it was interesting listening to the head coach based on what talk had said this week about Quinn and how, you know, maybe they have to consider giving him a week off. I don't think they want to play him. I think he would have to really force their hand to play him here. And I think they feel like he needs to get healthier for him to have a chance to remain healthy the rest of the season.

And I think getting him back in the lineup tonight might be risking that possibility for him to stay healthy the rest of the year. It feels like they're trying to do this very delicate balancing act of how long can we sit him out to get him healthy enough to get him back for enough games so that we don't lose any ground in the playoff chase and start winning some games so we can get in? Well, yeah, and I think that's the other part of it, about it too. You don't even know if Quinn can actually stay healthy.

Rick Chalkin mentioned that he's not going to get to 100% this year. Now he also said nobody is 100% at this time of the year, and that's a reality of the National Hockey League. But I think it's pretty sobering on Quinn. That's why I've been a bit more pessimistic about whether the trucks are going to make the playoffs or not and what their posture should be at the trade deadline because of Quinn Hughes' status. He's your guy. If he's healthy, you have a chance. If he's not, you don't have a chance. And if we're talking about maybe getting 10 to 15-ish healthy games of Quinn Hughes where he's maybe 90% or 80% of what he normally is like

It's really what is it is is the juice worth all that squeeze? That's what I kind of wonder about here But you know they're adamant about he or him wanted to come back he wants to come back and they haven't given up There's 21 games left in the regular season for the Vancouver Canucks including tonight's against, Minnesota Here's one for you sat if. If you had to guess, of those 21 games, how many do you think that Thatcher Demko will appear in? Oh, all right, 21, I'll say eight. Okay.

So you think, I'll say eight. Do you think that the possibility could be zero? Yes, of course. I mean, how can you not? I mean, considering what's happened with him this year and his uncertainty. Like, of course it can be like, what if he somewhat tweaks something and the Canucks lose a couple of games? He came to Lincoln and just got a contract. He's, you know, at this point, the best thing for him might be to shut it down and give himself a shot next season. The last thing he

would want to do is hurt himself even more. So I think that he wants to play. I think they want to get him back and I wouldn't be surprised if he's back practicing his team very soon here. But there's I think that he wants to play. I think they want to get him back. And I wouldn't be surprised if he's back practicing team very soon here, but there's a real chance he doesn't play. But I'll put the number at eight. I'll be somewhat optimistic. Sat, you're the best buddy. Thanks for taking the time to do this today.

We really appreciate it. Enjoy this afternoon. If everything holds firm, usually the 12 p.m. deadline doesn't even mean anything because all the real cool trades come in like an hour after that. They're backed up at NHL Central Registry. So enjoy the afternoon. It should be a fun day. Nonetheless, and again, thank you very much for joining us.

Yeah. Anytime. I just hope the facts do something because I don't want to be yelled at from like 3.30 to midnight. Yeah. Yeah. We're cool because we've got an hour left. So we're good. But yeah, it could be hell for you. Yeah. See you buddy. Have a good one. See you pal. Take care, boys. Satyar Shah here on the Halford and Bref show on Sportsnet 650.

It's Ask Us Anything Friday on the Halford and Bref show. Ask us anything unsigned here. If the Canucks don't trade Brock and lose him for nothing in the off season, but they make the playoffs, would you consider this season a success for management or a failure? Well, it totally depends what they do in the

playoffs. If they lose Brock for nothing and get swept in the playoffs. I mean, look, put it this way. They can actually are going to have to go on a bit of a run in the playoffs for me to make this season successful by any means. What if. This season has been a disaster. How much time do you have for when someone will push back and they're like, well, but you get the cap space gained

by letting Brock Besser walk. Is that just a sort of hollow? You're going to get the cap space anyway. Right. You cannot lose Brock Besser for nothing. Handy. Coming strong. Well, you can't.

It would be a complete failure by management if he just walks for nothing. Here's the thing I asked again You have to agree especially if you make the playoffs and get or miss the playoffs or make the playoffs and like you're not even Close if you don't get close to your asking price. Do you do the thing where you're like, okay, whatever will take whatever Yes offered. Yes. See I Do like a third round yeah, like I have a problem with that I have a problem with that. I don't know if I do like a third round pick.

Yeah, like I have a problem with that. As opposed to what? Not getting anything from him? Yeah, and then just play out the year, get in the playoffs, and then maybe things change. Who knows? In regards to what, him signing here? Yeah, or him taking less, or maybe he really loves it

in Vancouver because he had a great final two months. I said this yesterday, the only way I would stomach them not moving him is if they are 100% certain he's resigning and it's a team friendly deal. Well, if they were 100% certain that he's resigning to a team friendly deal, he'd be signed right now to that team friendly deal. Right? So that's the thing. Yeah.

Okay. Maybe they've got his turtle. Here's your turtle. Alive and well. Alive and well. Now we have to feed. It's not alive. Doive and well. Alive and well. Now we have feed. No wait, it's not alive. Do you have to feed these things? Okay, we got some things we gotta take care of before we go to break.

I need to tell you that all of the trade deadline coverage, including the extra hour of Halford and Brough, which is gonna be the nine to 10 a.m. hour, all of it is brought to you by AJ's Pizza on East Broadway. It's for diehard pizza people. Order online at ajs.pizza. I mentioned there's another extra bonus hour of Haliford and Bruff today, that's right.

And we've got two guests coming up, Dan Murphy, Sportsnet's very own, he's down at Rogers Arena today, he'll be joining us at nine, and then Ian McIntyre, who's right next to Murph, down at Rogers Arena right now, will be joining us at 9.30. So lots more Canucks coverage to come.

We've got the trade deadline today, we've got the Canucks and Wild tonight. There's a lot to get into and we will keep you up to speed with everything that's going on on NHL Trade Deadline Day. You're listening to the Halford and Brough Show on Sportsnet 650.