Halford & Brough in the Morning - The Best Of Halford And Brough 3/7/25

Episode Date: March 7, 2025

It's the Halford & Brough Trade Deadline Spectacular! Mike & Jason chat with Sportsnet NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, as well as Donnie & Dhali's Rick Dhaliwal about what to expect from the Canucks today, plus the boys discuss what the Canucks' Trade Deadline goals should be. 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 the best of Halford and Brough. Da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da We have a trade to announce. Shoot, save, hey, Luke it in. Score! On the rebound! Oliver Bjorkstrand! Welcome to the lightning! I'll trade you this delicious doorstop for your crummy old Danish. Done and done. Go!

Blue's Captain Braden's Shed, possibly available. You can trade it all in for what's in this box. The box, the box! Ladies and gentlemen, the weekend. Woo! Good morning, Banker. It's 6.01 on a Friday. Sweet, sweet Friday. It is Halford and it is Bruff.

It is Sportsnet 650. And we are coming to you live from the Kintec studios of beautiful Fairview Slopes in Vancouver. Jason, good morning. Good morning. Adog, good morning to you. Good morning. Laddie, good morning to you as well.

Hello, hello. Halford and Bruff in the morning is brought to you by Vancouver Honda, Vancouver's premier destination for Honda customers. They have a friendly, knowledgeable staff that can help with anything you're looking for. Sales, financing, service, or parts. We are in hour one of a four hour program today

for trade deadline day. Hour one of this program 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 Pal Street in Vancouver We are coming to you live from the Kintec studio Kintec footwear and orthotics working together with you in step It is here. It is trade deadline day, trade deadline day on Sportsnet 650. The entire shebang is brought to you by AJ's Pizza on East Broadway.

Our favorite, the AJ's sauce pie, an upside down version of the bar pie with fresh matz and basil, only at AJ's Pizza. AJ is going to be joining us on the show today, one of eight guests we have for your listening pleasure today. Four hours, eight guests. We are going over the top with hockey coverage as we get closer to the actual NHL trade deadline, which is noon today. Our guest list begins in about three minutes time.

Elliot Friedman from Sportsnet is going to join us right off the hop. He will be followed by Dan Rosen of nhl.com at 6 30. Seven o'clock, we're going to talk to AJ's. We are going to do Ask Us Anythings. He will be followed by Dan Rosen of NHL.com at 6.30. Seven o'clock, we're gonna talk to AJ's. We are gonna do Ask Us Anythings. And a reminder, the best Ask Us Anything today gets a $100 gift card to AJ's Pizza on East Broadway. 7.30, we're gonna do our usual hit

with Bob the Mojmar Janovich. Eight o'clock, Rick Dollywall is gonna be the first of a run of Canucks guests that we're gonna get beginning with Dolly Wall, Satyar Shah, Dan Murphy, and Ian McIntyre. So we're going Canucks heavy. The big four. Yeah, in the latter half of the show as we get closer and closer to noon.

There's about a million things we need to get into. I'll remind you, the $100 gift card to AJ's is up for grabs starting right now. Get your text in. The Dunbar number text message in basket is 650-650 hashtag it WWL or AUA and put a pizza emoji into your text. The winner will get a $100 gift card

to AJ's Pizza on East Broadway. It is a four hour show. Halford and Brough here with you until 10 a.m. this morning as we take you through the early stages of Trade Deadline Day. Now I will say, one, this show is going to look and sound kind of different than our normal shows. Things won't be in their usual places at their usual times.

That's fine. Also we will be reacting to a lot of trades in real time, talking to guests about what's kind of percolating. History has shown that the first couple of hours of these shows that begin at 6 a.m. on Trade Deadline Day can be slow. You don't get a ton of trades really this early in the morning. There is some news percolating out there. So I would say for the first couple hours we'll be talking to a lot of guests, looking ahead to what might be happening and looking back on some of the trades and some of the scores from last night in the

National Hockey League. But hopefully we'll be checking in with the trade desk brought to you by Tiltown. 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. Good work, Jason. I do reads. for over 50 years, visit them today at mytiltown.ca.

Good work, Jason. I do reads. So you know what we will do is we'll play our usual What Happened music just to keep some familiarity on the show. Laddie, without further ado, let's tell everybody what happened. Hey, did you guys see the game last night?

No. What happened? I missed all the action because I'm moving. We know how busy your life can be. What happened? I missed all the action because I was. We know how busy your life can be. What happened? You missed that? What happened? What happened is brought to you by the BC Construction Safety Alliance, making safety simpler by giving construction companies the best in tools, resources, and safety training. Visit them online at bccsa.ca. We are waiting on Fried still, Adog, is that correct?'re just still waiting on Elliot Friedman who is incredibly busy this morning

He's gonna be joining the program hopefully shortly, but we do have some things to run down yesterday We'll talk to Freage about everything that Knax might do today yesterday The Knax did make a move of notes sending defenseman Carson Susie to the New York Rangers for a 2025 third round pick which actually belongs to the San Jose Sharks I can go through the lineage of how that pick got to New York, but it doesn't matter. No thanks. It's now belonging to the Vancouver Canucks. So fare thee well, Carson Sousi. We'll always remember you for cross-checking Connor McDavid in the face.

A good job by the Canucks moving out a struggling player. I think that's fair to say with a contract that didn't work for them anymore. And a good job by, and this was reported by Rick Dollywell, by JT Miller of convincing Susie to waive his no trade clause and join the Rangers. Susie, he simply became the odd man out after, well, he struggled earlier in the season and then the Canucks added the two Pettersons to the back end, Marcus Petterson especially, but also Elias Petterson.

I think Fourboard has also been more reliable than Susie this season. And I wouldn't, I wouldn't actually be surprised if they eventually gave Fourboard an extension if the price was right. Don't forget that Willander is expected to sign this season, so that would be another guy that Susie would have had to battle for a spot with. We're going to pivot expected to sign this season. So that would be another guy that Susie

would have had to battle for a spot with. We're going to pivot now to the phone lines. Very happy to be joined by our next guest. Sportsnet's Elliot Friedman joins us now on the Haliford and Breast show on Sportsnet 650. Morning, Freage. How are you? Mike, there's no way you're really that happy. No chance. I love being at work early in the morning. Just I'm really excited to be here. How am I? I'm going to ask you, I did not sleep much last night, but I imagine it's more than you. Did you get any sleep last night? Three hours. Nice.

It was actually more than I thought. Okay. Yeah. So in those- Yeah, more than I thought. In those three hours, apparently, the winds of change have shifted on the Meko Rand in front yet again. This is one of the more complex and more diverse- I don't know about that.

Okay, just go ahead. Tell me what's going on. I don't know about that. Okay, just go ahead. Tell me what's going on. I don't care what anybody says. They have a trade. There's a trade done. And now it's just contingent on getting the extension done. We'll see, there's time. I mean, I've been through enough contract negotiations

to know that these things are a grind and especially when it's tight and there's a deadline on them, we'll see. But for anyone to say there isn't a trade that's done pending this, it's a joke really. Okay, so just for everyone out there in ListenerLines so that they know, overnight in case you were sleeping and maybe you're just waking up,

it does appear as though that Caroline is on its way to sending Miko Rand into the Dallas Stars. We're still waiting on a return and what the contract extension in Dallas will look like but before we get into all the Canucks up I do want to ask one what exactly happened at the end for Carolina ultimately to decide that they didn't want to risk it and they were gonna flip Brandon? I just think they were concerned that he wasn't gonna sign there at all. He was definitely not gonna sign by today and I think they were concerned that he wasn't going to sign there at all. He was definitely not going to sign by today.

And I think they were beginning to worry that he wasn't going to sign at all. I think that they canvassed around the league. There's definitely a feeling that Randon would be willing to go to Dallas. And I think too, like one team that talked to Carolina indicated to me that they wanted some, like, they really wanted like, when you look at what they gave up, they wanted, I don't know if the fifth comparable is the right word, but they wanted something that really, they really liked back.

Like they really wanted a good player back and the stars and the Hurricanes are being very careful about talking about what's in this potential deal because just in case it doesn't happen. But from what I understand there's a player there that the Hurricanes are really happy to get. I think there were a lot of other teams that weren't willing to do this kind of deal because they couldn't guarantee that they could get Rantanen signed. I don't know how many places he's really interested in signing, but I think that's kind of where it stands. So this won't come with an extension for Rantanen, but maybe it'll come with, hey, he's at least maybe interested. No, I don't think so. I think they have to get the extension done.

Oh, okay. Okay. Yeah, or at least to a point where Dallas is like, this is gonna get done. Like after what we've just been through and what Carolina's just been through, I don't think you can do any less than that. Would it be an eight-year extension?

Is it a sign and trade or is it trade and sign? Well, you can trade. It doesn't, is it a sign and trade or is it trade and sign? Well, you can trade. It doesn't have to be a sign and trade. Like if, as long as Dallas has them on the roster by three o'clock today, they can sign them to an eight year deal. Okay. Three Eastern, I should say.

Okay. Any, anything more to add on, on the ranted in front? Not really. I like it like these things. Uh, I mean, we've all done contract negotiations before they're, they're rollercoasters. Yeah.

Uh, okay. Vancouver Canucks. What is the goal for the Canucks today? Well, that's a good question. Um, I think they'd like to move their, uh, UFAs if they could. Um, you know, I, I, I know they feel that they They'd like to move their UFAs if they could. I know they feel that they would love to get, and it seems like everybody's always talking about this,

I know they'd love to get their hands on a center with team control if they could. I don't know what the chances of that are. Look, I think they feel they took care of a big thing in goal by getting Lankton and signed. They feel much better about the overall state of their defense, uh, moving ahead. Um, they've got obviously Hughes, they've got Roenick, they've got Pedersen signed now. I heard you guys talking a couple of minutes ago, hoping to get V lander this season. Um, you know, Susie, um, I You know, Susie, I think Susie,

I think Susie handled himself extremely well, but his time there in terms of being a regular was coming to an end and his money is off the cap for next year. So I think they feel they've done a lot of work that they like on the blue line. I think they would love to add a center if they could, but that's a hard thing to do. Everybody's look at what, uh, the look at what Colorado had to pay for right now,

a player who's a rental center. That's a big price. So those are hard to find. Um, what is the market for Brock Besser right now? You know, I think that, uh, I think right know, I think that, I think right now, I think the, I mean, we'll see. I think there's a lot of players and I think Besser is in that category where, you know, teams

kind of know what the price is and they were kind of waiting to see how everything fell and then made their decisions today. Besser, I think Vancouver is willing to retain. I think they're looking for the best possible asset they can get and we'll see how things fall. I think the thing too is that if you look at what's going on out there, these are really high prices.

So I'm very curious to see if teams don't get what they want. Do they simply say, you know what, we're not, we're not doing that. So I think that's, I think Vancouver's probably at the mercy of some other teams right now that have to make some decisions. Elliot, I don't want to get you radioed here,

but do any obvious names come to mind when you're thinking about centres with term that could be on the move today? I actually have to say, I really haven't thought a lot about it. I mean, the obvious name is Cousins, but I don't know what to expect there. I mean, we've been, you know, Jason, we've been talking about him all year.

Yeah. And, you know, what was wild. I mean, we've been, you know, uh, and Jason, we've been talking about him all year. Yeah. And, uh, you know, it was wild is, uh, I didn't really get a chance to watch a lot of their game last night, but I saw clips like, uh, it was, he was scouring them, you know, like, like he told no lies. Is the kid say, right? Um, uh, so it was, it was just really interesting. I mean, cousins is the name we've talked about all season long. Um, the one thing I absolutely know with a hundred percent certainty is that the

Sabres have told everybody all year that that's a hockey trade. Like they're not doing that for futures. They're doing that for players who can help them now. So, um, he's one of the names that absolutely jumps out at me. They're not doing that for futures. They're doing that for players who can help them now. He's one of the names that absolutely jumps out at me. I was laughing the other night watching the end of the game, watching Zegras fight Connor Garland. That probably didn't hurt Zegras' market value at all.

Since you brought up Cousins and at times that's been connected to a possible trade with the Canucks surrounding Ilias Pettersson. Do you think Ilias Pettersson is possibly moved today or has that gone pretty quiet? Because we kind of heard some mixed reports. I've always heard that it was unlikely. And I know Jason, you'd like a better answer than that, but I go with the best source I have and the best source I had told me unlikely. Now I know that there was some reports yesterday about New Jersey.

I think the thing that makes sense about that, just from a purely informational point, is I think New Jersey with huge injuries looking at every center option they can. Like there's also a report yesterday I talked to O'Reilly, like I just think that's the devil's doing their due diligence. So you know for someone to suggest that maybe New Jersey was looking at Pedersen, I bet you they probably called the Canucks and asked, but I've been told that like the best source I have has said unlikely.

So that's what I'm sticking with. So there is some consternation in the market as there usually is in Vancouver. Yeah. With the idea. Why is that not the case? It's yeah, it's kind of a 365 days a year type of thing, but with the idea that the Canucks

might keep Brock Besser and Pugh suitor because making the playoffs is important and maybe there isn't the right deal out there. Um, first of all, the chance of that happening, what do you think the chances of that happening without an extension for Brock Besser, thus risking him walking away for nothing in the off season?

I think it's possible. I don't know that I would, I don't want to put a percentage on it. I think it's possible. There's a couple of things you have to realize here. Number one, cap space matters. And so if they can, if they lose players and they create the cap space, I don't think that's the worst thing in the, in the league.

The other thing too is, and I've really learned this over the years, is that if you're someone and sometimes you get forced into a corner, I don't think the canucks are as far as I can tell. When you say, here's my price, here's my price, here's my price, and then you panic or at the deadline, you drop that price and you just basically give someone away for much less, especially in a year like this one, you get that label. You get that label as someone who, um, you know, you can outweigh them and they'll bend to your will.

And, you know, unless you have someone who steps up like a, and I'm not saying that's happening here, but I've seen it happen before, unless you get someone like an owner or someone who says, look, you have to get rid of this person. I have learned enough from dealing with these GMs over the years that you do not want to be known as the person who caves under pressure at the last possible second. So I do think that's a possibility.

I'm having Dan Hamhus at the deadline flashbacks here because I remember that. I don't remember what that was to be perfectly. That was Jim Benning being unable to move Dan Hamhus at the deadline and not being willing to essentially accept a third round draft pick in return. I think just because you didn't want that reputation as a guy.

And I think Burke, Brian Burke used that line a few years. I'm not saying it's a line, like I understand it. Yeah. But I think Canucks fans would be really disappointed if they tr tried that out today. You know what? Okay, look, I think the one thing is I respect fans.

Fans are entitled to feel how they feel. I have no issue with that, but I do think that's a thing. Like as I've done this longer and longer, I have blown to believe that that is a very real feeling and a very real thing. And when you are dealing with these general managers, you're dealing with sharks in the water. And you have to, you can't be, you don't want to be the piece of bloody meat that they're all circling, Jason, put it that way. Yeah, no, I get it.

Rutherford's been doing this for a long time, a long time. He's one of those old sharks that swims around and that guy's been through the wars. Yeah, that guy, he is a shark. Um, Elliot, um, making the playoffs is obviously important for the Canucks. They went into this season very much expecting to make the playoffs and right now they're on the bubble.

Do you think the economic, let's call them economic headwinds against the Canadian teams, especially right now, makes it doubly important that there's some playoff revenue? I think it always matters. Like I do. I mean, look, like, you know, I think people want to make the playoffs. You know, I do. I mean, I think players want to play in the playoffs. I don't think you should ever discount this. It's another thing I've learned over the years is that we may look and say,

Oh, a team's number eight, no chance. But a player looks at it as a player looks at it as we've got a shot at this. Like, why wouldn't we want to do that? So, you know, I think it's a lot of things. So I think revenue matters. Yes, absolutely. Like I'm sure season ticket renewals and things like that are always better when you make the playoffs.

It just makes sense. But I think at the end of the day, your players want a shot to compete in the postseason. And I do think it reflects badly on teams when they consistently don't make the playoffs or they don't make the playoffs or they don't make the playoffs to players in the room. They don't like it. We're speaking to Elliot Friedman, sports net NHL insider here on the Alfred and Bruff show on Sportsnet 650.

Okay, I wanna touch on a couple of these other non-Connex big stories that are percolating across the league. What's the likelihood or possibility of Brad Marshawn actually being moved by Boston at 3 p.m. Eastern today? As of last night, it was 50-50. Okay. 50-50, I would say. How much pressure is there in Toronto to make something happen in light of what Florida

and Tampa Bay have done? And does that end with Braden Shen becoming a Toronto Maple Leaf? Well, I would say that the pressure wasn't forcing me, gravity wasn't forcing me to the sidewalk this morning as I walked over to the studio but you can feel it and I think they do too. The Shen price is big, I've heard it's, I've heard they're not, like I've heard they're really wrestling with it. I think Lawton might be more likely, but I think they're also looking at Dee.

Edmonton made the move last night, I believe it's been finalized now that Jake Wallman is- Yeah, they announced it at about 10 year time, maybe 11 year time. Are they done and what happens with Evander Kane? I think the Kane thing, the move they made last night seems to indicate to me that they've got some clarity that Kane may not be back until the playoffs. It's a tough move for them to make

otherwise. So I'd have to see there. I have to see what that is. That indicated, doing Wallman last night indicates to me that they think they've got some freedom because I think they took his full salary. Um, I, I'm sure they're looking around, but I know that Frederick and wallman were like those kinds of players were taught to on their list to get done. Was that Kane situation a little bit unusual? Uh, it was like, I think it's honestly, Mike, I

think it's this, it's that, you know, Kane missed the last five games of the Stanley cup final last year. And I think he wanted to prove to them that he could be a factor in the playoffs. I think that's one of the reasons he wanted to play on the regular season is just to show that. Like I think one of the things he was most

concerned about, and I heard this second hand was, you know, what if their team goes on a run at the end of the regular season, he shows up in the playoffs and they're like, we don't need you right now, like we're good. So I think he wanted to prove that he was ready. And I understand that. Fridge, you had a big day ahead with that. We will let you go. Thank you very much for taking the time to do this this morning. We really do appreciate it. Uh, enjoy the next few hours.

It should be a lot of fun. All right, boys. Have a good day. You too. Thanks for each. That's Elliott Friedman sports at NHL insider here on the Haliford and brush on sports net six 50. What are your expectations for the Canucks today?

Um, my optimistically, I hope that they are very, very busy and very, very active and there's a lot of different moves, a lot of pieces being moved on the chessboard. Yeah. I just want. That's kind of where I'm at too. I want to see some wheeling and dealing. Even if they just play facilitators and some

trades, use your cap space when you have it. Um, I, you know, this is a very vague description. I just want to feel better about the Canucks after today and if they don't do very much, I don't think I'm want to feel better about the Canucks after today and if they don't do very much, I don't think I'm going to feel better about them. Get aggressive out there. Don't be afraid to make some moves and don't be afraid to make some changes because I don't think

this team right now is, it might be a playoff team, but I don't think it's a Stanley Cup contender. It's got a lot of work to do. Yeah. I think there's the possibility, if you just look at the raw numbers, that you could be active today and you could be busy. I hope that flipping Carson Seuss yesterday, although it's an entirely different scenario than other pending UFAs, I hope that that mentality where it's like, we don't want to let this asset walk for nothing rules the day. Also-

They got so much cap space. They got so much deadline cap space. Use it. They've been accruing all year. We've been, yeah, exactly. You haven't sent- You can't just accrue and then not use, right? You haven't sent Nils Oman down to Abbotsford 13 times this year for nothing.

You got to use it. You got to use it. You're listening to the best of Halford and Brough. You're listening to the best of Halford and Brough. You're listening to the best of Halford and Brough. Okay. Um, here's an ask us anything that I'm going to not only throw out to you, the dogs and listeners,

I'm going to ask it, I'm going to answer it very quickly. Well, not that quickly. What is the one characteristic you want the Canucks to add today. So when that. Hockey player. Yeah.

But the, the characteristic of the hockey player. Goal scorer. So everyone's like. Good hockey player? Everyone's like, I like some more size and some more speed and you saying like the goal scoring ability, but here's a word that I'm going to settle on. How about some creativity? speed and you saying like the goal scoring ability. But here's a word that I'm going to settle on.

How about some creativity? Yeah. Creativity in the forward group. Right now, I just don't see enough of it upfront. The ability to make something happen out there. So that's kind of a vague description, but everyone knows what I mean. A guy that makes things happen out there. So that's kind of a vague description, but everyone knows what I mean. A guy that makes things happen out there. I feel like Connor Garland has been the only

one that's done that reasonably consistently this season. He's been creative. Obviously JT Miller was a very creative player. He was a gunslinger and he threw the odd pick six for sure. But he made some great passes too. And of course, Pedersen is a very creative player

when he's on his game, but he's not on his game. But among the Canucks forwards, who right now would you describe as that guy is really creative? Pew suitor is useful. He's cerebral. I wouldn't call him a playmaker. That guy is really creative. Pew suitor is useful. I wouldn't call him. He's cerebral. I wouldn't call him a playmaker and his stats over the years don't suggest he's a big time

assist guy. And I actually don't think Phillip Heetle even considers himself a playmaker. There's an article up on Canucks.com that Chris Faber wrote and he told Faber that he sees himself as more of a one-on-one guy. And I'm going to read this quote. He goes, I love to go one-on-one.

That's my game. Since I started playing the game, that was good. I always love to go one-on-one up the ice or even from the corners and go to the net. I don't want to be the guy who is standing on the wall and just creating the play. So there's nothing wrong with that by the way. I'm not criticizing that.

The Canucks need more of the, the, the ability to take the puck and just take it to the net. But you know, if you look at the, let's just use a, you know, assist stats as a proxy for creativity. Okay. Over the last three seasons, Quinn Hughes has 190 assists in 210 games. We all know Quinn Hughes epitomizes making things happen out there. Very creative.

Right? Like that is a very creative player. Second is JT Miller with 142 assists. Third is Elias Pedersen with also 142 assists. One of them is gone and the other one is struggling a little bit and Brock Besser is fourth with 89 assists and he might be gone today. And then there's Connor Garland at number

five with 77 assists. And we've always, we've already kind of shouted him out as the guy that has consistently done it. So who are the guys that you can rely on to make things happen out there? They don't have it right now. They don't. So a lot of people texting in that

Philip Heidel is creative. But he himself. He himself said he's more of like a one-on-one type player and he doesn't want to be the guy along the wall. By that. Creating plays like, like there, and there's nothing wrong with it, but, and I know he was

kind of blocked out from the top six with the Rangers, but he's played 388 games in the NHL. He has 93 assists. Those numbers don't. I will say. They don't stand out to me, I will say though, um, you know, creativity, creativity in this sense can be kind of a, kind of a nebulous term because in essence, if you're driving one-on-one and making things

happen, you are therefore creating chances. Absolutely. I think the idea is you want someone that maybe isn't necessarily taking the puck and looking to get it back to Quinn Hughes at the point every time as they're sort of de facto number one, this is what we're going to do. And I mean, I'm being mean to a lot of the forwards,

but that has been the sort of de facto offensive option this year. It's like, get it on your stick, look up and get it back to the point. Do you know what got me onto this? I was at my hockey shop yesterday, the sports de facto offensive option this year. It's like, get it on your stick, look up and get it back to the point. Do you know what got me onto this? I was at my hockey shop yesterday, uh, the sports exchange on, on Berard. Yep.

Um, and, and so, um, the, there's parking in the back and you go up the staircase and they've got all these old hockey posters. Like it's the one they've got Wayne Gretzky and rollerblades. Oh yeah. Do you remember that one? Yep.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. So there's this. Cool California. There was this poster of Pavel Datsuk and it was for Reebok hockey. For the O-stick. So it was. Wow.

It had little holes in it. Yeah. Okay. So the, the, the advertising, what they call the copy said was, uh, do you look for an opening or do you create the opportunity? And I was like, first of all, that's good advertising. And then there's just a picture

of Pavel Datsuk and it says like, your move. And I'm like, man, the Canucks could use someone like that. The ultimate creator. Like create the opportunity. Don't just be like, well, there's, I mean, half the time, I mean, the Canucks haven't even been looking for the opening. It's true.

Right? They're just like, yeah, back to the point, right? Canucks are one Pavel dad took away from winning a Stanley Cup. Well, no opening here. Better dump it into the corner. All you need is a Hall of Fame forward and maybe one of the best two way forwards

to ever play hockey. That's all you need. I'm not saying that. I know, I know. I'm not saying that, but it just got me thinking. I'm like, who's the guy that just makes something out of nothing? And people are- Just point you. That's it. And so like Rick Tauke, you can understand his frustration. Man, that clip said so much that we played when he was like, everyone wants this fancy

offensive system, right? I can't even get my guy to shoot the puck, right? I can't even get my guy to shoot the puck. Yeah. Right. I can't even get my guy to move his feet. And so much of creativity is moving your feet, opening up shooting lanes and opening up passing lanes, misdirection, that sort of thing. Again, the things that Elias Pedersen does so well when he's on his game and there's still hope that he can return to that game, but they still need more creativity upfront.

Rick Dollywall joins us now on the Haliford and Brough 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, uh, Jason was all about moving out Susie, 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 defenceman is a full-time player yet. Pedersen is only 20 years old, right? So make sure you're protected on that left side. Cause I don't see anything coming from Abbotsburg 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 him 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 until you are sure that Ellie's Pettersen, the defenceman, is a full-time player. The Canucks obviously are talking trade about better but they have also had an open mind when it comes to listening on Pettersen, Demko, Garland

and Hoeglander this week. Teams, yes, have called on Pedersen, 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 centre 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 re-evaluate 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 Demco and Hughes. This is probably not going to be their year, right, guys? They know it. These two guys banged up, doesn't help.

Demco skated Tuesday this week. Some thought more than one person thought he'd be back this week. But who knows? We'll see today of practice. Demco's injuries, a big concern

to 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's 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 be surprised if he does get moved there. They are going to try. They're going to try here in the next, whatever, three plus hours. It's either keep them or remove them. I told you guys on Monday, I'd be shocked if Besser is resigned and here we are less than three or less than

four hours to go. No signing. If they couldn't get close in eight months, We have a lot of people who are not going to get the vaccine. We have a lot of people who are not going to get the vaccine. We have a lot of people who are not going to get the vaccine. We have a lot of people who are not going to get the vaccine. We have a lot of people who are not going to get the vaccine. We have a 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 want a 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 going to 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 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, could things change then? Yeah. It's 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, it, look, can they use his, if they keep them, uh, can they use his, if they keep them, uh, can they use his cap space on July 1st to,

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, uh, you know, off the, you know, off the cuff remarks, ah, get rid of them. He's slow, 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 and 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 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. I 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. He's been a model draft pick, like I said. Those guys are hard to find.

Like they're hard to find. Look, this city- So why are they apparently willing to let him go? Like is it his speed? Is it the term 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 Pedersen 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 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 gotta take that emotion out. It, 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 Sucie in a bit. Like this has been a tough week. They got families, they got young kids. Said some of these guys are married some of them are not 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. He doesn't want to leave, but this is the business side of hockey. And you know, this city had Pavel Bure leave. There isn't a bigger player the left in this market than Pavel Burey. He's the best player in 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 about the injuries to Demco, 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 Crockett said the other day, we might have to shut Quinn down for seven days, right? And we just 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 into 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 going to 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 Sealob's is in and the combination is Lanken and the Sealob's as opposed to Lanken and Demko so you got to factor everything in this week. Jason you just have to. Carson Soussi.

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 Soussi, 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 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 Leafs 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'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 a 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. Um, 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. Yeah. Um, we had Elliott Friedman on earlier and he said, I don't expect to, for Elias Pedersen to

get traded, but what do you think is going on with him and the team right now? Teams call, teams call, every team is allowed to call. I mean, like I mentioned yesterday that Connor Garland has had a great year and teams are on the NHL notice. You know, 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 Pettersson 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 Hughes is your franchise defenseman that they're not listening on obviously use is your franchise defensemen but they're not going to listen on a heronic or Marcus

Patterson or Lankanen you know those guys are all signed long-term they're a big part of the core of the future but when when someone when a team calls on Patterson you 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 a first line center with just 50 points and that's if he gets to 50 because he hasn't scored in 14 but the center ice position tells me like like Elliott said this week on our show there's going to become a moment

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

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 or 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 he said, you know, 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? Well, 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's Patterson's agent live? Pat Bresson LA.

I'm sure Pat talked to him and Quinn, do you, any guys that go to LA, Pat talks to them, right? You know, they're in LA probably had a meeting with Bresson. 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 gotta be better. I gotta be better. I mean, I'm, I'm, I'm connecting the dots here and extra stuff talk it's happy and he has this press conference where he says hey I got to be better I got to be better I mean I'm connecting the dots here and you know it's the trade deadline I'm sure the Connucks 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 pocket I want to say this. King's coach at 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 him 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 find that.

Have they 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 Tauket that says goodbye to the Canucks as opposed to the Canucks saying goodbye to Tauket. Yeah. And then you got to ask yourself why, why is he saying no to Vancouver?

Like if he does walk, that the big, the million dollar question is why didn't you resign? Like I'm looking at the NHL, um, yeah, and the great thing for Tau 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 gotta 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. Look at the lineup. I mean, is he looking at the lineup and going, I can't win with this. You traded away JT Miller 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 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, it says a lot, but Rick Tauke had 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 him? Can he get through to him? You have to have, you have, I mean, this is, uh, again, he's in the leadership group, Pedersen 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 some good stuff out of Petey. We're sort of like, what, what of like, what was going on while the city was burning to the ground watching this guy play? Yes. 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, he played with emotion, he played with passion, he played with enthusiasm. I kind of guess that's what he wants from his players too. Like, look, give the correct. 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's 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 defenseman 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 got to be asking himself right now. Rick, you're the best buddy. Thanks for taking the time to do this today. We appreciate it. is he was 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 Dollywell, Connects reporter from Check TV. Donnie and Dolly here on the Halford and Brough show on Sportsnet 650. You're listening to the best of Halford and Brough.