Halford & Brough in the Morning - The Canucks Need More From Their Vets

Episode Date: December 30, 2025

In hour two, Brough and guest host Josh Elliott-Wolfe chat about yesterday's 'Nucks win over the Kraken and also look ahead to tonight's matchup versus the Flyers with radio commentator Brendan Batchelor (1:09), a game which sees former head coach Rick Tocchet returning to town for the first time since his exit from the Canucks, plus the boys go around the NFL with Sports Illustrated's Matt Verderame (26:04). 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.

It's his friend and Bachelor, Bachelor, Bachelor, Life from Rogers Arena, Collin' Canucks Games. It's his friend and Bachelor, Bachelor, Bachelor. Welcome back to Halpernebrough, No Mike Halper, Josh Elliott-Wolf. Filling in, and Halperf is brought to you by Sands and Associates, score, Depp Freedom, Hattrick. interest, much lower payments, and financial peace of mind, visit sands dash trustee.com. This hour of Halford & Brough is for Jason. Mortgage, if you love giving the banks more of

your money, then don't let Jason shop around to find the perfect mortgage for you. That's jason.mortgage. We are coming to live from the Kintech studio. Happy holidays from all the team at Kintech, footwear, and orthotics. And you can text in on the 650, 650, Dunbar Lumber Textline. Get your what we learns in. We'll hit those to end the show, but right now we go to the phone lines. We welcome in Brendan Batchelor, play-by-play voice of the Vancouver Canucks right here on SportsNet 650.

Appreciate you taking the time, Batchel. What did you think of a thriller last night in Seattle as Kevin Lankinen stayed perfect in the shootout on the season? Yeah, obviously, it's pretty impressive for Lankan now. He continues to deliver for this team in the shootout and allow them to, you know, get the extra point whenever he's in there, it seems like. And, you know, I was looking at his career numbers, and I believe it's now 48 saves on 54 shots faced in his entire career in the shootout. And somehow he lost four of 14 shootout games while only giving up six goals.

So I'm not sure how he managed to do that, but nonetheless, you know, pretty impressive for him. And I thought he was good even before the shootout in the game to allow the Canucks to pick up the two points in a game where they were probably outplayed for most of it, to be perfectly honest. What did you think of the overtime? Pretty exciting, huh?

Yeah, well, there's something wrong with three on three overtime, I think. I don't know what you need to do to change it. Maybe you can't take it out of the zone once you gain the zone rule or something like that just to force teams to try and create more offense because, you know, we were joking about it on the air going into the overtime

that because Lanceted is so good in the shootout, the Canucks might as well just try and play keepaway for five minutes because, you know, of how consistent he's been when they've got to the shootout and they were pretty conservative in the way they managed the puck and ran out the clock ultimately. So, you know, I'll be interested to see if that's something the Board of Governors are interested in addressing or not because it has changed from something that was really exciting to something that is much less so now. And when you got Kevin Lankton and goal, you don't blame the Canucks for trying to get it to a shootout because he's been so, he's feeling it in the shootout. I mean, 17 for 17 is a remarkable stat. He said 17 just breakaways against him and he stopped all of them. And, you know, I don't think the Canucks are perfectly built to, to excel in overtime at three on three. They don't have a ton of burners on the team.

They don't have a ton of guys with, like, awesome shots that are, you know, they're not, they're not, they don't have Quinn Hughes anymore, and he was pretty creative. So you kind of don't blame Adam Foote for going with that style if he can get it to the shootout. But, but you're right. It's like, it's so disappointing because I'm still, you know, I still look forward to overtime because there's been so much hilarious and fun hockey played in three on three overtime since the league brought it in. But now I'm like, oh, right. right, they just reset and reset and reset and we're probably going to a shootout. And that's not good for the game, I don't think. No, I agree. And, you know, talking about it more from a bigger picture perspective rather than just the Canucks, you know, this is often what happens in sports is, you know, a league or a sport will change a rule, and initially it will be good, and it will bring excitement, and then coaches get a hold of it. And once coaches get a hold of it and understand the strategy and understand how to

game the system for lack of a better term, then it can change. And I think, you know, this isn't Adam Foot or Canucks specific. We've seen league wide that teams are more conservative in overtime. They're going to hold onto the puck as long as they can. They're not going to take chances unless it's a perfect opportunity. And they're going to manage the puck and wait for their moment rather than some of the run-and-gun stuff that we saw early on when three-on-three overtime was instituted. So, again, you know, everybody has different opinions on how you fix it. I think, you know, not being allowed to intentionally take it out of the offensive zone once you bring it in would, you know, force teams to, you know, at least play within a smaller

area, which is going to lead to more chances and more turnovers. You know, ultimately they could go away from three-on-three overtime and, you know, You know, you could go back to being okay with having ties, although I don't think the NHL is willing to do that, even though I personally wouldn't really care if there were ties. I wouldn't care if there were ties if there's still three-on-three over time. Yeah, yeah, I just think the NHL and North American sports in general are want a winner, right? Like if you pay, however much you have to pay to go to the rink, right?

It's, you know, ticket prices are crazy in sports all over the place. You know, you go to the rink and you come away at the end of the day, and it's a tie and no-on-one. I think, you know, the NHL doesn't want that for their fan base. So I wouldn't expect them to do that. I just wonder if there's another way to make overtime more exciting again, you know, beyond trying an over-and-back rule like basketball or something like that. Hey, Batch, in a season where not everything has gone right for the Vancouver Canucks,

I'm sure you agree with me that it's encouraging to see Linus Carlson excel now, really, at the NHL level after putting in years and years of work down in the HL. Yeah, absolutely it is. And these are the kind of things that can be good stories in a season where lots has gone wrong for the hockey club and they sit where they sit in the standings. And, you know, Carlson continues to impress

and, you know, it continues to justify his position in the lineup and potentially moving up the lineup. And that'll be the exciting thing when some more trades happen here and they move some of these veterans out, whether it, you know, ends up just be key for Sherwood or whether they can move off of Ander Kane as well and maybe some other pieces we'll see. But when those players go, what is left is the young guys. And for the young guys who are taking a step in their game and who we, you've seen improve and find consistency and find confidence at the NHL level, that'll be a really good thing. And so, you know, Linus Carlson, I imagine, will stand to have more opportunity

and play up the lineup more consistently and play in more situations. He was on the top power play unit last night with Jake DeBrusk out of the lineup and, you know, has played pretty well on the power play this year at times too. So it's great to see for Carlson. It's great to see for the Knox that, you know, this is a player that they've been able to develop through Abbotsford and who had success in the NHL and now is

parlaying that into success in the NHL because not everybody from that Abbotsford-Kinnock's roster last year has done that yet. I think Max Sussone has played some good hockey but I wouldn't compare his season to Linus Carlson's. Obviously we know Archdead Baines, you know, has

struggled to really solidify himself at the NHL level and he's back in the American hockey league. So to see Carlson doing that is pretty cool and pretty impressive and hopefully he can continue to to play at the level he has and get more opportunities and grow his game because if he turns into a player for this team,

then that would be really good for them as an organization that is going to have high-end prospects potentially coming out of this summer's entry draft. If you have some other young players that you've been able to develop and bring along yourself, then that's always going to be a good thing. Brock Besser played 22 minutes and 36 seconds last night. the game did go to overtime, but that's a lot of ice time for him. Against San Jose, it was only 15 minutes and 42 seconds. I know Brock's on the PK now, so that adds some ice time.

But one shot on goal, and again, no goals. What are you seeing from Brock right now? Because he was reunited with Pedersen last night, and he was, I guess, on the ice for Pedersen's goal, but he wasn't really part of that. I think it went VLander to Cain to Pedersen and Brock was there for the hugs after the goal. But, you know, he's not,

doesn't seem to me to be feeling it right now. Yeah, I think he's really going through it, to be perfectly honest, and struggling to find ways to impact the game. And so maybe his role on the penalty kill is one way that he can because the P.K. was pretty good last night. But ultimately, they didn't sign him to that seven-year extension to be a penalty killer.

and pay him north of $7 million. He's meant to be a goal scorer. He's shown in the past that he can be a goal scorer. And for whatever reason right now, he's not feeling it because, you know, to your point, not only is he not scoring, but to me the chances don't feel like they're there either. You know, we always hear guys going through scoring slumps going,

well, if I wasn't getting the chances, then I'd be worried, but I'm getting the luck. So eventually they're going to go in. I don't see Brock Bessor getting the looks right now. And that's tough for him, obviously, and it's been a tough season for everyone around that team. So, you know, for it to, you know, not affect Brock Besser wouldn't be realistic. But that said, you know, he's got to get going here a little bit for this team and find a way to produce a little bit, although, you know, ultimately the results are going to be what they're going to be down the stretch run.

So I'm sure many fans are saying, you know, it's fine that Besser is not producing right now. in terms of where the caducs want to finish in the standings. But for a guy that they just signed to a seven-year extension, he needs to show that, you know, he's going to be worth that money going forward and be a part of this group going forward and be someone that can help. And, you know, lately it's been way too quiet around him.

You know, he's only got one power play goal this year, which to me was amazing when I saw that stat. And, you know, for a guy that, you know, can, you know, have the power play be his bread and butter, it just hasn't been there for him. So whether it's confidence, whether he's playing through something, whether he's just a step behind at times. He looks to me like, you know,

his skating isn't at the level of some other players and for a team that wants to play fast and has guys like Max Sussone and Liam Ogren in the lineup to try and generate speed. Desser isn't a burner. He never has been. And so he's got to find a way to impact the game. But right now it's been difficult for him. And, you know, I don't think there's any way

for him to hide from that because it just hasn't been good and you know there are players that have received a lot of flack in this market this season you know evander kane is probably the most criticized player in my twitter mentions every time i put the lines out and he's on the top line again um but one name that i saw percolating in the last few days was brock besser especially when it was announced that jake de brusk wasn't going to play last night there were some people saying well what what about brock bess or why isn't he being scratched uh with the way that he's he's been playing. So it's unfortunate for him that in the first year of a new deal, that's where the conversations are around him. And it's up to him to improve his game and get to a higher

level. Well, Batch, correct me if I'm wrong, because you have a better memory on these things than I do. The chances were there for Besser late last month. I seem to remember him getting quite a few chances on that trip down to California. And he finally got a goal against the San Jose Sharks. I think the game in Anaheim before he might have had a bunch of chances and none of them went in. And then it's really been since Hughes was traded that his game has looked to me at least really aimless. And I realize that there isn't an ideal center right now for Brock. He had a lot of success with J.T. Miller.

And he hasn't really, I mean, David Kemp, that's hard to produce. with David Kamp as your center. But I don't think, like, I don't particularly think that Rossi has stood out in a great way since being traded to Vancouver. And of course, I'm going to give them more time. But, you know, I don't think that has helped Brock. And maybe they thought that that might be a bit of an addition. Maybe if Heidel returns, they can find something together.

But I just wonder, I really do wonder. And I'm not trying to put words in Brock's mouth here, but I'm just trying to use my, I'm so empathetic. that's everyone says like we know that about you Jason's empathy is off the charts and I'm really wondering like if he's like man is this what I signed up for like is a like I signed on to continue with the Canucks they'd already you know traded JT Miller away but now Quinn Hughes has been traded away and look at the centers that I got to play with this is not very fun for me yeah I mean you wouldn't blame him at least to have that initial reaction and you know Besser is a player

that has admitted that some of this stuff has got to him in the past. Like when, you know, there was all the speculation last year down the stretch about his future and whether he was going to stay here or not, he admitted that that noise was hard to ignore. So in a situation where, you know, you've been a part of a core group that had some success a couple of years ago and you've gradually seen that core group chipped away at to where you're one of the few guys left in Vancouver, you know, emotionally I'm sure that would be tough to go through especially as someone that's a competitor and wants to win

and you know to the point of Jake DeBrusk being scratched last night I don't think we would be fair in saying that this is the only player that may have been affected by this right like Adam Foote directly said of Jake DeBrusk that there was a stretch where the chances were there for him and now they've sort of dried up at five on five and that was part of the reason they wanted him to have a recent set. You could say the same thing about Brock Besser, to your point, right? Like there was a stretch

earlier in the year where the chances were there. They just weren't going in or he wasn't finishing. And, you know, there were moments where the puck would land on his stick in a good scoring spot and either it would deflect away or someone would block it or he'd miss his shot and you're going, man, he's just not getting the bounces right now. But at the same time, you have to work for your bounces and you have to create those looks. And for Besser and DeBraska, I haven't seen enough looks there. And I haven't seen enough. you know, to say that they're, you know, working really hard to try and create them and, oh, it's just a matter of time before they start going in. For both of those guys, it's been too quiet. And, you know, to sort of the greater, bigger picture conversation around this team, if they do want to do a hybrid build or whatever we're calling it, where they don't trade away all their veterans, that they do want to incorporate these guys as part of whatever the next edition of the Vancouver Canucks that want to be competitive looks like, then these guys have.

to be able to pull on the rope and have to be able to contribute and have to deliver what you expected of them when you sign them to the contracts that you sign them to and right now it doesn't look like that's happening now you know it's a long season and there are ups and downs and de brusky in particular has always been a streaky player so um just because he's not scoring right now doesn't mean that he can't you know come back into the lineup and you know score five goals in six games or something like that that's the kind of thing that he's capable of doing But for Besser, he's got to find a way to be a greater offensive threat than he has been because it's been, as I said, too quiet around him now.

And regardless of the reasons for that, regardless of whether he's upset that all his buddies got traded or that the Canucks are in the situation that they're in, you're being paid a lot of money to be a professional and go out there and play on a nightly basis. And for Besser, produced on a nightly basis, and unfortunately, that hasn't been happening for him lately. Rick, talking back in town tonight. What are your memories of Rick Talkin? Because you would have done a few interviews with him. Yes, yeah, quite a lot.

You know, he was great to deal with from the media side of things, you know, was always willing to stand in there and answer the questions. And we know the Vancouver media market can not always be easy. And, you know, I know he's had some things to say about what it was like dealing with the Vancouver media since leaving. But, you know, my impressions of him were that he was always pretty accountable, pretty open to explaining things and answering things and talking about his team and what he wanted to see and what he was trying to accomplish.

And ultimately, you know, he had a pretty good run here. The one year in Vancouver won the Jack Adams trophy. And, you know, that's something that I think Kenuck fans will remember him for. But his legacy is also going to be tied to his decision to leave. And, you know, ultimately, I think with some more hindsight on the situation, we will reflect on it differently further down the line in terms of whether Rick Tocke it was justified in that decision or not and you know ultimately where the Caducs go from here is going to dictate how people

view Rick Tocke's tenure and and how you know the context that it is placed within going forward but you know I for me he's one of the the best coaches I've dealt with in terms of professionalism in terms of you know answering the questions and being accountable and so I enjoyed working with him. And, you know, I hope for the person, Rick Tocket, that he has success in Philadelphia, because I think he's got a chance there to build something pretty cool. Outside of the Talket storyline, there is the Canucks home record, which has been very not good this season, as opposed to on the road, they're over 500 on the road. What do you see,

do you see a difference between what they're doing at Rogers Arena versus outside of Rogers Arena? Yeah, it's kind of hard to piece. pinpoint. But there's something there, obviously, because the home record is dreadful, and the road record has been pretty good. And, you know, if you think back to all of the good stretches that this team has had this year, they've been on the road. Like, they went into New York before the Christmas break and won all their games there. I'm pretty sure they had a pretty good California road trip earlier in the season as well, right? They've had good

stretches on the road. And, you know, you do wonder, especially being a West Coast base, team how they have these long road trips and then they come home and when they get back home they're sometimes at home for long stretches now we haven't necessarily seen that yet this year but we're going to see it in the new year because they've got two different eight game homestands it's not like when you're out east and you're a team like rick talkets philadelphia flyers where you might be at home one night you're on the road the next night but then you're back in your own bed and then you know it's less less of a big thing when you come back home or you head out on the road and just you know thinking about managing your life as a person let alone as an

NHL player if you go away for work if you're someone that travels for work you go away for a week or two you come back home there's things in your life that you got to catch up with you haven't seen your kids for a while or you know your wife has a list of things that you need to help her get accomplished and you know you've got to do your laundry like all these things i do wonder if if some of that life stuff always making lists these guys yeah well exactly but i do wonder if some of that life stuff affect these guys where they come back to vancouver and they've been away for so long so they've got to you know take care of their personal things and then they've got to try and focus on playing the game as well and oh yeah there's the big bad media they're asking the

questions about it all the time too like there's more for these guys to deal with in vancouver now that's no excuse for having the home record that you have. That's where culture comes in, though, isn't it? Culture and standards. Yeah, I tend to think so. And, you know, you should still be able to compartmentalize, regardless of whatever's happening in your personal life, to, you know, park that for the 60 minutes that you've got to play

and show up and, you know, get the job done. But, you know, this is a team that hasn't been able to do that. And, you know, whether there's maybe some extra pressure on home ice to try and be cute or try and make nice plays rather than just playing sort of a normal straight-ahead, simple kind of game like they do on the road. I don't know, maybe there's an element of that too, but ultimately it's not good enough for the ticket

buying public here in Vancouver, and they need to find a way to, you know, at the very least, be an entertaining team to watch on home ice. Because, you know, with where things are going, they've traded Quinn Hughes, they're, you know, not expecting to, you know, try and push up the standings or get results the rest of the way. We're expecting more guys to be traded. You know, is it realistic for us to expect them to completely turn their home ice record on its head

and, you know, battle back above 500? Probably not with where the team is at and where the season is going. But you have to give people a reason to show up at the rink and cheer for you and come away at the end of the night, regardless of whether you want or you lost and say, you know, I'm glad I went to the game that was an entertaining product. So hopefully they can do that more consistently, especially with the number of home games that are left on the schedule. Hey, Batch, really appreciate you taking the time,

and we will hear you on the call tonight at 7 o'clock. Thank you. Sounds good, boys. Happy New Year. Happy New Year. There is Brendan Batchelor, voice of the Vancouver Canucks. Once again, you can hear him on the call with Randiap Janda at 7 o'clock tonight when the Canucks take on the Flyers at Rogers Arena. And he mentioned it, a couple eight-game homestands,

both in January and then another one in March. that are going to be interesting from like, hey, you've got to fix your home record perspective and also who's going to be on the ice, especially in March, for the Connecticut. What's the fan reaction going to be win or lose? Yeah. Matt Verde Ram is going to join us next. We'll talk a little NFL. The Rams nearly made quite the comeback in Atlanta last night because the Falcons, I don't know,

they seem to have a bit of a reputation for struggling in the second half when they've got a lead. but the Rams did not win so there are some so the Seahawks are let me see if I've got this straight the Seahawks will definitely finish with more wins than the Rams and that's important because the fifth seed in the conference gets to play at Carolina or Tampa Bay instead of Philly or Chicago in other words the Seahawks will either get a buy through the wildcard round if they beat the Niners on Saturday or go to Tampa or Carolina. So, yeah, last night's result was huge for them.

Right. So we'll talk to Matt Verde-Ram about the NFL coming up. I think we'll also mention the juniors because Braden Coots scored last night and just talk a little bit about what's coming up for him. Thomas Drance is going to join us in the 8 o'clock hour and then we've got what we learned. So get those into the Dunbar-Lumber text line

at 650-6-50. you're listening to the Alfred & Brough show on SportsNet 650. And Alford & Brough is brought to you by the Duick Auto Group. Find out why nobody beats a Duick deal since 1926. Visit Duick GM on Marine Drive, downtown in Richmond, and at Duick Auto Group.com. It's Canucks Central on SportsNet 650. From exclusive interviews to insider scoops and post-game breakdowns, we've got it all. Tune in weekdays 4 to 6 p.m. on radio and on demand through your favorite podcast app.

Welcome back to Halford and Brough, no Halford, it's Josh Elliott Wolf filling in, but Jason Brough is here and we are coming to you live from the Kintech studio. Halford and Brough is brought to you by Sands and Associates. Only a licensed insolvency trustee can cut your debt by up to 80% with no upfront. fees to learn how visit sands dash trustee.com and this hour of halpernbrup is for jason.morgage. If you love paying too much for your mortgage, then don't let Jason shop around to find the perfect mortgage for you. That's jason.orgage. You can text in 650, 650 is the Dunbar lumber text line. It's Metro Vancouver's trusted choice for contractors and rental warriors for over 50 years. Visit them at one of their three locations to serve you or online

at Dumbar Lumber.com. Right now we go to the phone lines. We welcome in Matt Burtaram, NFL staff writer for Sports Illustrated. Appreciate you taking the time, Matt. How are you? Good. How are you guys now? We are doing very well, and we saw what was a,

didn't seem like it was going to be an exciting game, and then got exciting between the Rams and the Falcons last night. They almost come back, but they don't. The Falcons win. What do you kind of make of where the Rams are heading into the Rams. postseason right now. You know, look, on one hand, I really do think they're the team

at the highest team, and I think they're the best team when they play to their capacity. On the other hand, but these losses are incredibly damaging. I don't think there's any other way to say it. I mean, if they don't blow a tire against Seattle, give the Seahawks credit. They kept fighting. They found a way to win. They deserve a lot

of credit for that. But let's also be honest. You're up 16 points with eight minutes plus. You better win that game. they don't for a variety of reasons. And so all of a sudden now you're in this trail position and you're probably forcing a wildcard spot but you want to at least get the five

because the five is like at the fact they'll buy in the NFC. And you lose. You lose. All you have to do is beat the Falcons and the Cardinals. It's it. Two teams that have been going on for months. And you play you like crap in that game. You'll lose the game. Now you're looking at it.

You've got to beat the Cardinals. You've out of hope that the Niners can, you know, falter here at home to show, which they might get lucky could happen. But if it doesn't, and you're to succeed, you're probably going to Philly. Now, they've played the Eagles three times in a calendar year, and they've lost all three times gone. Like, that is not great. If you're the Rams, that is not the path you're all looking to take. And so, listen, could they still get the Super Bowl?

Yes. but there was a lot harder than it was a couple weeks ago. Is Kyle Shanahan one of the – do you think he's the coach of the year this year? It's a great year for coaches, right? I mean, some years you look and go, God, who are they going to give the award to? And this year, you'll look and go, man, how could they not give it to this guy or that guy? I mean, Rable and Cohen and Ben Johnson, on down the line, right? I can name seven or eight guys.

I think he is if they win on Sunday. look, the team is no Fred Warner, no Bosa, they lost the funger this all season, they lost Ford, they lost Greenlaw, they lost Aaron Banks to the Packers, they've got nothing, literally nothing out of Brandon Iuke. Kittle's been in that of the lineup, purty missed half the season with a toe injury. There went away from me in a one seat. I mean, it's unbelievable. That team, well, part of it, yes, their schedule here has been a joke outside of playing Seattle in the ramp. I mean, their schedule has been about as easy as you could ever possibly ask a schedule be that being said

they're where they are they're 12 and 4 it's incredible and if you're the Niners listen I wrote this column after the Sunday night game this is not the best team Kyle Shanahan's ever coached okay the two teams who went to the Super Bowl were both significantly better

in terms of player by player talent on the roster this is his best shot to win the Super Bowl if you win this game on Sunday you are the number one seed you have a buy you have two home games to win to get to the Super Bowl, which is in your building, and you'd be playing it against a team,

whoever is coming out of the ASC, who you're better then. You should beat. I don't care who it is. I don't care who it is Buffalo, Houston, Denver, it doesn't matter. You should win the game. So, look, it's an incredible opportunity, and I think, Shan, yeah, if you went on Sunday,

yeah, I'd give me my vote for coaching me. Is there any fan base in the NFL, that is feeling 100% great about their team right now. I mean, I'm a Seahawks fan. I should be, I am very excited. I should be confident, but I'm not because I've been watching the offense under Sam Darnold for the last little while, and it hasn't looked great.

I know they have a good defense, but I'm not feeling super confident, but what actually helps me a little bit is realizing that I don't know if there is a thing, fan base out there that feels great about its team right now. It's a great point because I think the answer is no.

By the way, if I was going to say anybody, I would have said your team. But you're right, though. Darnold, the last month or so, I won't say he's been bad, but it's been uneven. It's been a struggle. Look, I love that they got Shaheed.

I think he's a real player. Smith and the Jigba has been amazing. Obviously, you've got the tandem in the backfield, and defensively, they're always going to be there. They're a very good defensively. If Seattle's at home, if they can win this game on Sunday, they get home-filled advantage. I know, ironically, this year, they've actually been better away

for a lot of the year than they have been at home. I think if they're at home, I would pick them to go to the Super Bowl. I would. I think at that point you'd have to and just kind of hope Darnold doesn't blow a tire, which he's had a pension of doing in big games in his career, and I've been a ton of them. But no, I mean, if you look around the league, you know, who's the team?

You know, the Niners, look defensively, the Niners, they've got a lot of questions there. In fact, not even just quite. You know, like a lot of issues. The Bears made it look pretty easy to score points against them. The Bears went up and down the field like they were even on it for 60 minutes, you know, and the Bears' offensively are a good team, but by Caleb, you should not be hanging 38 on you in your belt. That shouldn't happen. You know, the Bears' defense is terrible.

The Eagles, their offense looks like they're in mud most of the game. game. You know, the AFC is everybody's got questions to the AFC. Massive questions. You know, yeah, I don't there's any, the Rams are probably personnel-wise, the team that you look at and go, okay, they have to say the

if you have questions, but now there might be a six-seat. And I don't care who you are. Like, it's kind of like Buffalo on the ASC, yeah. You got the quarterback, you know what to go on the road and with three games in a row. It's, that's kind of who you are. In the regular season, that's hard, let alone, I get three really good things

the play. It's going to be very difficult. I'm glad you brought up Buffalo because I kind of look at this and we were talking about it yesterday, but it feels like with Noma Holmes, potentially no Lamar Jackson, is it fair to say there's a decent amount of pressure on Josh Allen to get it done this season? Yeah. I mean, we're on Canadian air. I mean, it's like if the Maple Leafs from the foot and it's like a final, would there be a little bit of pressure on the leaf to win?

A little bit, yeah, a little bit, although the way this year, going on. I don't know if they're going to be that. Look, I mean, if you're the bills, you've got to win. And I know it's weird. They could be a seven seat. They could be a 70th at best are probably a six seat. You're in a conference. Let's just, let's just be really honest. It's not good. Conference stinks. Mahomes isn't there. He's knocked down out for the last five years. The Chiefs have been this big brother to them.

You know, you're, you're not going to be at home. But you're going to play teams. Trevor Lawrence has been a lot better lately, but he's had an uneven season. You might have to see the Broncos. Great defense. It's Bo necks. If you're Buffalo, you've got to feel like

with Josh Allen against Boeux got to win that game. And look, the bills are not a great team. They're not. They are rancid at times defensively. They give up all kinds of yardage. They can't tackle. Their receivers aren't good. Kincade may or may not play again this year with his

Nate, like, they've got major problems, but so does everyone else in the conference. And you, by a mile, have the best quarterback alongside of New England with Drake May. I mean, other than that, like, and New England's roster is not dominant. They've been better this year in Buffalo, but they're not dominant. Like, this is, if there's no team even close to the level of pressure that the bills are facing right now. The bills, if the, you know what, the conversation is going to make in Western New York, if they lose to Jacksonville in the first round of playoffs? you know what that's going to be

I mean they have to at minimum get to the Super Bowl if they don't I think the conversation is going to change around Allen if they don't get to the Super Bowl I think now it's going to start to become that conversation we all had about Marino and L.A you know like you ever going to win is it ever going to happen I think we're going to start

to get to that point what if Josh Allen gets outplayed by Drake May in the postseason look May might be the MVP probably will be it'd be brutal let's just be honest I mean let's look it's if you're a bill shit

first of all by the way there is no fate worse for a bill stand then if the Patriots knock them out yeah okay for years on end New England just beat them down a lot of everybody else for two decades you finally came out of that and then Mahalms and the Chief turned into the Patriots and just beat you every year

and now they are having a down year which I think everybody feels like it's probably a weird one-off thing like that team's going to be back this is your shining moment to hey roads clear we've got nothing by the highway ahead of it

if they lose to New England who by the way it's a good team like no shame but if they lose to that team with their histories it'd be devastating but I think you are at a point here

if you're Buffalo where look I don't care that you have deficiencies everybody in the league has deficiencies as you're like we talked about you have to go there you really probably win you have to do it.

And if you don't, I think much like we're going to have a Baltimore here, you're going to look at this thing and go, what is ever going to happen that you're going to win a Super Bowl? What's going to change? Something's got to change. And if it doesn't, like, why believe in you? Obviously, a huge game for Baltimore against the Steelers.

I have to admit, because I'm a Seahawks fan. I've been following the D.K. McCaff story pretty closely because, you know, that was always the worry in Seattle that he would do something. dumb and, you know, get himself suspended, which he did. And I wonder about Mike Tomlin's future. I wonder what they're going to do at quarterback.

Just what are your thoughts on the Steelers? And I guess, and the Ravens as they head into this game on Sunday. This is a rare game where I really think a lot of major people in the NFL, this is going to shape some legacies moving forward here, this game. because, look, Tomlin and Harbaugh are both two bowling coaches, and that'll always be the first line of their football resume. I think there's a real chance

of whoever loses this game is out. I think, and I flat out that Harbow will be fired if they lose this game. And I think Tomlin, the Steelers are so conservative with stuff like that. I mean, they've had three coaches since 1969. But I do, I do. wonder if they lose this game if it's a mutual parting or something like that. And then on the Baltimore side of things, you've got Lamar, who may or may not play.

And listen, I have a hard and fast role and I've always had it in my career. I'm not going to sit there and tell a guy he's got to get out on the field and he's hurt because I'm not that player. And I don't have that physical pain. They know what they're dealing with better than I. I will say this. If he can physically get out there Sunday night, he has to play in this game. Because if he does not play and he lose this game,

I think there's going to be a lot of people in Baltimore waking up, lighten up airways on the radio Monday morning. Where is he? Why is he not playing? This is now another year where our Super Bowl holds are gone because he's not on the field. Fair or unfair. like if he can physically get on the field, he gets medically cleared,

he's got to play in this game. They cannot watch this season go down to tubes with Snoop Huntley out there against Pittsburgh. And so I think Lamar's legacy in some ways is on the line both coaches. You know, who knows that this is it for Aaron Rogers. I mean, there's more at stake than just the four-season in this game. Hey, Matt, really appreciate you taking the time.

Happy New Year and enjoy everything that comes in Week 18. Hey, thanks a lot, guys. Happy New Year. Take care. Thanks, Matt. There is Matt Verde-Ram, NFL staff writer for Sports Illustrated, and it's going to be a very, very fun week 18 in the NFL, including if you didn't see it, the Seahawks are playing Saturday night, so adjust accordingly against the 49ers for the top seed in the NFC. The NFL postseason is going to be awesome, too, because whoever gets to,

the Super Bowl, it's going to be like, that's crazy. We've made it to the Super Bowl, right? Wow. No, seriously. Yeah. There's no, like, any competition you put together. Yeah. Like, if you look at some of the division leaders right now, you know, New England.

New England. I don't think they expected to win the division. Jacksonville. I mean, maybe because they're in that division. Denver, almost definitely. not, considering the chiefs are in that division. You know, I think even if the Eagles got back to the Super Bowl, their fan base were like, with this offense?

Yeah, how did we do this? I know we won it last year, but, you know, the Bears in NFC North. Seahawks were the Niners. And then Carolina or Tampa in the NFC South. Yeah. You know, maybe it's going to be a team. Maybe it's going to, I don't know,

maybe it's going to be a team like the Chargers that comes out of nowhere and gets to the Super Bowl, right? Like, who knows? I mean, probably not, because it's the Chargers. Yeah. But it sounds like that. It just seems so, I can never remember an NFL postseason looking so wide open as it does right now. It's going to be a lot of fun to watch.

Okay. It was also kind of fun to watch Canada put the boots to Denmark and the World Juniors. That was a type of game that I think Canada needed. You were asking for it yesterday. Yeah, I mean, they needed to. feel good about themselves and I realize it is only Denmark but Gavin McKenna with a hat trick and his third goal I mean the hands on him incredible again it is only Denmark but I think you know they they needed they needed a performance like that where they felt good about themselves

because I don't know if they felt particularly good about themselves beating Chechia considering they gave up five goals didn't look rock solid in that game and then barely beating Latvia Yeah. That wasn't great. Now, they do play Finland tomorrow, New Year's Eve, and that'll be for top spot in the group. But it doesn't really matter who wins that game. Canada is going to play either Switzerland, Germany, or Slovakia in the quarters on, and I think that's on Friday. And, you know, they've got to win that because they've got to get past the quarters. I've got to get to the metal rap, you know. Brain and Coots scored. He did. Very nice goal. Found some open ice.

There was quite a bit of it against Denmark and ripped a shot home. He only played, I think he played just under 10 minutes in the game. So he's still not one of their go-to guys. But it is worth noting that he is eligible to play in the tournament next year as well. He's still only 18. I think it's going to be curious to see what happens. to him this season and next in terms of his non-Canada stuff because he can also play in the HL

under a new rule next season where one CHL 19 year old can play in the HL and that's if he doesn't make the Canucks. He played games for the Canucks this season. It sounds like his time right now in Seattle, in the dub, could be drawing to a close ahead of the January 8th trade deadline in the WHL

because the Thunderbirds are sitting there going we're not a bad team but I don't know if we're going to win a title and you know Coots next season very unlikely to be in the dub if he's got this option to go to the HL and maybe he's

going to be given a chance to play some games with the Canucks. I think he's just going to be in Vancouver next year. I look at it. I think the HL might be a better spot for him. I might agree with that, but I also just think they look at it next year and they go, they might want to sell, like it might be a McCannver Tannen situation. Which was a mistake to have those guys in the lineup so early.

And I think as well as Coots played in the preseason, and he was impressive. And I know it's great that, you know, he seems like he's got, he's a high character guy. I mean, he's been the captain down in Seattle. This is his second year as a captain. So they made him a captain, I guess, at 17, which is pretty impressive. I think he was a co-captain. So we all like his character,

but he was very far away from being an NHL player this season. Once the regular season started, you're watching him, and I still remember, God, what was the line that they put together? Cooke, Trow Connor, and Lecker Mackey? Yeah. I remember thinking, what are you guys doing? what are you doing? Because Drew O'Connor wasn't playing his best hockey then, right?

No. He's up to his game, but he wasn't playing well then. So you stick him with Braden Coots and Jonathan Larkar-Macky in the NHL. That was insanity. And that line got buried because it was going to get buried. So I just think that the Canucks have to be careful and do the right thing and develop Coots the right way because I think they got a pretty good player. but don't put him in an environment that could be bad

and put him in an environment where he's going to have success and not struggle. I've said it on my show before, but I don't know if I've ever said it with you. I remember Willie de Jardin. I asked him a question about Jared McCann when he was lighting it up early in the season when there was that decision whether or not to keep him or not.

And I said, because I could sense he was like, I don't think this is the right idea. to keep him. I was like, what is your worry about Jared McCann? I was kind of like, why are you so why do you seem so hesitant? He's like my worry is that it gets hard.

It gets really hard for a young player in the NHL. And guess what? It got really hard for Jeremy Ken. And eventually the league wore him down. The travel wears him down. Physically these guys aren't all

there. And then they're like, We got another game. Yeah. Like, we got to get on the plane and we got another game and I got to play again. And not to mention the worst travel schedule. Yeah. This happens 82 times this year? Yeah, like, are you kidding me?

What? Yeah, it's like me and my beer league games. I look up at the clock. I'm like, are we still in the first period? Like, what is going? How many periods are there in hockey? You know, and I think this is, and I think that's just something they've got to be mindful of. because Coots

is a very important player for this team so if next season you're not you know first of all just tell us the purpose of next season you know what is it yeah

and I guess if he's playing in the HL like I'm not exactly 100% sure with the rules but I guess they could call him up and send him back down I would assume he's just a regular HL player yeah okay yeah so I mean I don't know

I guess we'll see I just I will say this management group has been more hesitant and more willing to overcook prospects. I mean, we're seeing it with Lechromacky right now where I think some management groups would be tempted just to be like, hey, he shows the flashes of offensive talent, call him up. But this one, at least to their credit, has been willing to let the guys develop in Abbotsford. And we've talked about Linus Carlson a decent amount today. There is evidence that it is working more than it previously has for the Vancouver Canucks. I would love to see him in Abbotsford next season. I just wonder if he forces his way on to what I don't think will be a greatly improved roster next season.

Before we go, Halford & Brough is brought to you by the Duick Otter Group. Find out why nobody beats a Duick Deal since 1926. Visit Duick GM on Marine Drive, downtown in Richmond, and at Duick Otter Group.com. On the other side, we're going to talk to Thomas Strance from the Athletic and Canucks talk here on SportsNet 650, about everything going on with the Vancouver Canucks and maybe some trade talk as well. We'll get into that with him. That's coming up next. It is Halford & Brough, Josh Elliott Wolf in for Mike Halford on Sportsnet, 650.