Halford & Brough in the Morning - Victoria Mboko Is A Rising Canadian Tennis Star

Episode Date: August 5, 2025

In hour two, guest hosts Josh Elliott-Wolfe and Randip Janda chat the latest around the National Bank Open with The Athletic tennis analyst Lukas Weese (1:51), plus the boys look to next year's Winter Olympics and how competitive Team USA will be, and which Canadian players we might see that weren't at the 4 Nations (27:00). This podcast is produced by Andy Cole and Greg Balloch. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.

Welcome back to Howford and Brough. It's Josh Elliott Wolf and Randy Bjanda here with you for the week. This and Halford and Brough is brought to you by Sands and Associates. Learn how a consumer proposal could get you on the road to being debt-free in just two weeks. visit sands dash trustee.com. This hour of Halford & Brough is brought to you by jason. orgage. 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. And we're broadcasting live from the Kintech studio, Kintech Footwear, and Orthotics, working together with you in step. Is it a big band Tuesday? Is that the video? Oh, yeah. Okay. Back on a big band Tuesday.

Yeah. I don't mind it. I had a jazz phase in my life. A jazz phase? I just got into jazz for no reason. Oh. Just wait until thrash Thursday. I've been around up for a thrash Thursday, but okay.

Zach was pumped when we got to do a thrash Thursday. Really? I'm more intrigued at this jazz phase. You just are out of it now. I still enjoy jazz. I'm not, you know, I still like it. You do seem like a jazz. I'm like a nice, you know, like a scotch sitting by the bar.

Yeah. Kind of, yeah. Because you're, you're such a New York vibes guy. Totally. It just feels like it would work. I like the history of jazz. It's a very interesting history. So, yeah, I'm a bit of a history geek as well.

Fair enough. You can text in 650, 650, 650, the Dunbar Lumber Text Line, Metro Vancouver's trusted choice for contractors and Renault Warriors for over 50 years. Visit them at one of their three locations to serve you or online at Dunbarlumber.com. We now go to the hotline powered by Power West Industries, and it is the athletics. Lucas, we appreciate you taking the time. Lucas, how are you? I'm great, guys.

first of all, I'm team jazz all the way and give me the band, the saxophone, Frank Sinatra. So definitely with music to my ears hearing that jazz before coming on this morning. It's growing on me, but I feel like I'm okay leaving it just to Tuesdays. It's a one day a week thing for me.

But we did want to get into everything going on at the National Bank Open, and the person taking up all the headlines is Vicki and Boko, 18-year-old Canadian. What have you thought of her run so far in the tournament? Well, just a remarkable story that's unfolding in Montreal. Take this in, guys. This time last year, and Boko was ranked outside the top 300.

Yes, top 300 in the WTA rankings. And now after last night's win advancing to the National Bank Open semifinal, she crossed the top 50 for the first time in her career. So it's just a remarkable ascendance, and it's truly a star. in the making in Canadian tennis, quite the story that is unfolding in Montreal within Boko. Yeah, there's a variety of, like, you know, some folks, you know, watch the Grand Slams, others watch the tournaments a little bit more, but like how out of nowhere is this for Victoria Mbocco right now? Because it's a great story, but I'm not going to lie, like she was

on the radar a little bit for me. And I know I watch tennis, but this is still feels like it's a big surprise to get to this level. Yeah, you know, I think the passionate tennis followers saw, you know, Victoria and Boko's year this year, she won a lot of matches. I mean, she had a stretch this year on the ITF circuit that she won 22 straight matches. Now, I would say that she caught the attention of the WTA Tour locker room when she lost a third set tie break at the Miami Open to Palo Bidosa. she then lost in three sets in Rome to Cocoa Gough.

So people thought okay. Like she's 18 years old. She's going to be a tough opponent to faith, but maybe it might be a year or two before, you know, her rise. But this tournament is just, you know, blown that way out of proportion. You know, the future is now when it comes to Invoco with the way she beat world number two, Cocoa, in convincing fashion. And then following up last night, guys, because everyone knows that the toughest match to win

is the next one following beating a premier player like Cocoa Goss. So to see Mbocco's poised and calmness throughout this run has just been remarkable. And now she's into the National Bank Open semifinal, one win away from the final. What is it about her game that's lended itself to being able to go on this run? Well, I say a few things.

I think she has a powerful two-ended back end, right? Especially off the return. I think her game revolves around a strong, efficient serve. We've seen that, especially in these last two matches where her serving's really gotten her out of trouble, especially maybe down a break. She's been able to come back and utilize some clutch serving at a big moment. But she also has, you know, the drop shot that she loves to use,

moving her opponents around. But ultimately, guys, it's the mental toughness, right? she doesn't seem panicked on the court like when she's down a break or facing a deficit she's going to speed off that Montreal crowd and come back and find a way so that's to me been the most impressive part about her is just her composure to problem solved within matches

and look when she's down she finds a way to come back and we've seen that a couple times you know these past two matches yeah the mentality is what I wanted to focus on because it seems like she just plays so freely even walking around on the court in high-stress situations where you see a lot of players talking to their coaches or kind of mumbling to themselves, she's got a little bit of a swagger to her in the sense that,

hey, she's got a smile on her face. That's pretty unique for an 18-year-old, or is it just simply like this is her first time going around at a tournament like this, maybe at the hometown kind of crowd by her side, and she doesn't really know any different. Right, I mean, that's what she said after her match yesterday, that essentially, you know,

she didn't have any expectations in this tournament. She received a wild card. She was grateful to play in her home country at Montreal, but no expectation. So I think that's just allowed her to play so freely where she could just, you know, unleash her wide-ranging game and not feel down on herself if things aren't going right. She has a very supportive team around her.

And look, you know, there's definitely going to be a lot more heightened attention towards her now that she did into the semifinal. but I think that calmness is just going to allow her to have success, regardless of what happened in this tournament. I think it's going to set her up well for the future. Can you fill our listeners in on what this means in terms of like, hey, how far she's climbed up the world rankings, what else she can do in this tournament in terms of rankings,

and what this means moving forward when it comes to qualifying for grand slams and all of that? Yeah, I mean, so, I mean, the semi-finals is going to, be tough. I mean, she faces Elena Rabakana, who's, you know, a past Wimbledon champion. And Robocana is a player that likes to play on the hard court. She's a big serve, very much a counter-punching,

aggressive game off the return. And Boca's going to need to find her spots on her serve. I think going forward, look, I mean, she's already cracked the top 50. If she continues on this run, you know, maybe, you know, the future's bright guys.

I mean, you know, the sky's the limit for Victoria and Boko because I think just the way that I've talked about, her wide-ranging game, that mental toughness will just allow her to, you know, feel like she can't, you know, compete at the biggest tournaments in the world. So, you know, she'll probably have to qualify for the U.S. Open, but, you know, this will give her tons of confidence, be able to have this type of run at her home tournament, being just the fourth Canadian woman in the open era to reach the National Bank Open semi-final. It's just huge momentum for her. And again, let me repeat, only 18 years old. So,

so much time left for her career. Yeah, unbelievable story. You mentioned her Bacchana and her big serve, but if there's a recipe to beating her, is it the longer that series goes, the longer, you know, rallies go, if you get her to move side by side, side to side, excuse me, is that the key in this matchup against Rebecca? Absolutely. Because I think as we've seen with Rabakana, she's a player that, you know, the longer the rallies go, especially if the match goes the distance, it favors, you know, a player like Mbogna, because Rabokka tends to get a little more aggressive and then, you know, makes them on four stairs. But I think with Rabakana, it comes down to her serve, right?

If she's not serving as well and Boko's aggressive off that return like we saw against Cocoa Gop, I think Mboko is a real chance to win this match. Look, Canadian Leila Fernandez just beat Elena Roboskina in Washington. So I think Robotson is beatable, and Boko is a real shot here to reach the National Bank Open final, which would be amazing. This is a really interesting moment for Canadian tennis. As we're talking here, Jeannie Bouchard and Vashik Pospisville are on the highlight show that's being replayed on Sportsnet. They call it a career at this tournament. You've got Victoria Mboko, who's just starting her career.

And, of course, Felix, Lela, you talk about Bianca. They're still playing Dennis Chapovalov. This moment for Canadian tennis, where is it at right now? Because it feels like, you know, the first generation of player is starting to retire a little bit now. You still have a highly competitive second generation. But where do we see, you know, Canadian tennis right now in terms of the expectations and meeting expectations? Well, the expectations are high because, you know, of what Bianca and Drescu did, winning the U.S. Open in 29 seats. So that's the standard, right?

She was the first Canadian man or woman to win a single slam title. Meaning those expectations since have been a challenge. Like, I mean, I'm here in Toronto covering the men's national bank open for the athletic, and the Canadians' Dennis Chappabalovale didn't win a match here, right? So we talk about composure of Mboko. Chop of all the Oceale's seam after their matches, you know, talked about the nerves of playing in front of the home fan. So it's interesting just given that Mboko's only 18 that she doesn't feel that.

So I think Canadian tenants, look, I mean, you know, the future's still very bright. I think for the present, there are still names that can maybe go on runs. But I think everyone's sort of waiting for that next one, right? who is going to be the next one post Bianca Felix Dennis, Layla. And I think Victoria Mboko is that person, right? I mean, she grew up watching tennis

and Soby staying here in Toronto wanting to become a professional tennis player probably seeing the likes of a Bouchard and a possible, right? So if, you know, Bianca and this current generation could inspire someone like Mboko to have a successful professional tennis career, I think the future of Canadian tennis is very bright. And now with Embolco's run here, the future is now.

So, you know, get excited Canadian 10th fans because I think Embolko's here to stay. With Embolco, before we let you go, I do think the question of, like, what can she do? What's the ultimate upside, I guess, for her career? Can you see her being someone that competes for Grand Slams moving forward? So hard to say, right? Like, so much has to go right. and right now on the WTA tour, the top of the game is just so far ahead

with the likes of Arena Sabalanka, Higna, Javiyos Viantec, Kogo Gop. Now, Gauph and Sviotik loss, but just in terms of the slam titles, those three have won the most. But look, I mean, if Mboko stays focused and continues to evolve her game,

again, she's only 18 years old, I think if she'd become more of a, power player, like, because I think power in the WTAQ or leads to success, then she can absolutely be among the best in the world. So I think it's important, though, you know, to just you know, enjoy the moment. Don't place too high expectations, but it's hard not to when you have a run like this, but I think with Mboko, if she just continues to be on this path, enjoying

the moment, not getting too phased by the expectations and the pressure, I think she has a bright future head, so I'm very excited to follow the rest of her career. Hey, Lucas, really appreciate you taking the time and enjoy the rest of the tournament. Thanks, guys, be well. There is Lucas Weiss from the Appletic talking about Bickey and Boko

and everything going on at the National Bank Open. Big jazz guy as well, which is always great to hear. Big jazz guy. You like jazz? I know there's some, you know, there's some opinions on jazz. Grants hates it, apparently. I heard him on a radio show once talking about that, which... I mean, he hates a lot of things.

It's fine. It's kind of his file, no. Yeah. But, you know, I don't mind it. I'm not going to listen to every day. No, it's a, again, it's a Tuesday thing. I'm fine with it on the show. Once a week is fine.

Three hours on a Tuesday is fine with me. Yeah, I'm not in the gym, listen to jazz, right? Like, it's a very time and place type of thing. I'd be so intimidated by someone who listens to jazz at the gym. I'd be like, this guy, this guy is... This guy has got. I'd figured out. He is a frightening individual.

He's doing a benching three plates, listen to trumpet solo. I think Tuesday is the day we get the least amount of complaints. I can tell you, we heard it on the other days for sure. Really? Especially Thursdays. Grash Thursday. You know what's a divisive one. I get that.

650, 650, dump our lumber text lines. So we've been talking a lot about the Blue Jays and everything going on in the world of baseball. By the way, get your what we learned and already see a few hashtag them. WW. We'll get to them later in the show. But one thing that's come up is, you know, the performance of Vladty Jr. has been divisive for a lot of Jays fans and a lot of people following the Jays because he's, he's tough to great because you look at him and you're like,

this is a guy who has been good this season. Most players in Major League Baseball would die to have a season like Vladdy Jr. is having. but at the same time it can be underwhelming because there's a lot of expectations when it comes to the power side of his game and one thing that's come up has been

hey maybe he's taking the team approach to his at-bats and the team approach for the Blue Jays so far the season has been okay next guy up get on base just get some rallies going and it's worked really really well for them obviously but you do want the rallies

to build to something And I do think what they should be building to and why I kind of share the frustration, though I'm not ultimately too upset with Flattie, is you want those rallies to be building to someone like Vladdy being able to hit a home run. And so far, he's been underwhelming in that aspect. The playoffs is all about pressure points.

Can you get a team to make a mistake, which leads to your top guy, your best hitter, your power hitter, putting them in a spot where they're uncomfortable? Right? Leveraging bullpins to say, all right, you didn't want to face this guy, but guess what? You walked the last guy or you gave up a hit. This is who you have to face. And Vladdy is the guy in the lineup.

And the team approach can work in the season, but the playoffs, you need those moments. You need your top guy to have those hits. And I think for Vladi, yes, it's been in some ways an underwhelming season. You start looking at the stats. But he's been able to get on base. And the team game works in the regular season. But in the playoffs, there are going to be key. marquee moments. Even a guy like Aaron Judge

last year, even though he had a great season, like in the playoffs, in the World Series, didn't deliver, got ripped to shreds in the media. Because he was whiffing a lot. If you're the top guy and you don't produce by driving and runs, maybe hitting the occasional home run as well,

you're going to hear it. So I think there is an element of pressure that he's going to face in the playoffs that is kind of being ignored right now. And you're right, Josh, like there is discussion about Vladia not having the ideal season. But in the playoffs, it's going to go up by 50 degrees. Like, it's going to get a lot hotter.

The heat's going to get hotter at that time of the year. And as a big player, as a guy that's making now half a billion bucks, you've got to have to deliver, right? Like, I understand the team approach, but if you're the guy, you're still the guy that needs to deliver on those spots. And yeah, there's going to be pressure on him. There's going to be pressure on Bichet when he get to the playoffs because we were talking to Jeff Blair previously.

And they haven't really performed in the post. season. Obviously, it's been a small sample size. They haven't really gone on any run in the postseason, but eventually you do have to start going on those runs. And a lot of it is going to come down to those two guys being good. Like, you can't just be, you know, 35-year-old George Springer leading the way. And I like Alejandro Kirk. I like Addison Barger, but ideally you want those two to be the complementary pieces to what Bichette. Look, Bichette has been, I think he's been really good this year. He's driven in 74 runs. Like he eats, ideally you want more power from him too, but I'm also not too upset about the 15 home runs, 74 RBI, you've gotten from Boba Chet.

But come to the postseason, you do want to see those power numbers go up. The by committee aspect and what the Blue Jays have been able to do this year is really impressive, right? You've got players that kind of popped up out of nowhere, whether it was kind of Addison Barger, whether, you know, just go through up and down the lineup. But we got this text from Dan, saying people give Vlad a tough time but there isn't much talk about how young he really is. 26 and he's been in the major since he's 20. He's the same age as a lot of top prospects

and don't forget that Judge didn't make his debut until 24. Valid point. But once you start making that big dough, the conversation and here's a thing, you're on a good team. You're arguably the best team in the AAL, right? Maybe even Major League Baseball, depending on who he asked.

Not me. Not me, but like there were some Blue Jiz fans. Not going to name names that were saying a couple of weeks ago Best team in the majors There was a minute there Where they were the best team in the major It was a post Yankee sweep

That people were going nuts But whatever I'll allow it But if you are in that position And you're making money It's time to It's big boy time Yes

And we're approaching that for Vladdy Yeah we'll see what happens The rest of the season For Vladdy and the Blue Jay Is a text from Jay did Flattie watch Moneyball in the offseason because he's playing like Scott Haddepard. Man, Moneyball.

Great movie. Every time I think about Moneyball, I'm like, ah, that's maybe my favorite movie of all times. It's one of my ideal, like, plain movies. You're just like, you know you're going to enjoy it. Yeah. And you're going to enjoy it over a couple hours. Like a five-hour flight, boom, two hours knocked off.

Yeah, it was a great time. Everyone enjoyed it. I will say, so speaking of movies led by Bradford. pit over the weekend for the first time ever i watched fight club okay ever first time ever so one of my my tasks this the tyler durden this summer breaking the rule already i know i'm sorry my bad uh the one of my tasks this summer has been watching older movies and just movies in general that are you know are often watched often cited and generally well received fight club was on the list it was really good really good i i godfather one and two are our are

on the list. Okay, you're going to, those are also ideal plane movies, but you have to make sure a lot of time. But you have to make sure it's like a afternoon plane ride. Because if it's too much in the evening, like they're slower moving movies. Yeah. If you watch it like 9 p.m. You're going to be sleeping by the time it's over. It's like my favorite movies. Yeah. So, but they're not for everybody. I'll give you that word. They're on the list. I tried to watch the brutalist on a plane. And first off, a lot of nude scenes. Just awkward to watch on a plane. Second, it was very slow moving and I fell asleep like an hour. You're that guy on the plane. I know, dude. There was like

children next to me over your shoulder. I'm going to like turn this off. This is bad. Yeah. So the Sopranos is one of my favorite shows, if not my favorite. And I'll watch random episodes on the plane, but there's a certain gentleman's club called a Bada Bing in the show. Right. Where they have frequent scenes. And I

am that guy that's just sitting there watching the Sopranos. And meanwhile, there's like a family of four sitting next to the next two rows. Not look around and make sure nobody's looking at. And you got to make it seem like you're like not enjoying it. You're just got to... Oh, like, I can't believe

this is going on. Oh, my goodness. This is not the seventh time watch of watch this episode. This is heinous. Anyway, 650, 650. The reason I bring this up is if, uh, if you have any well-known movies,

your favorite movies that I should add to my list, text them in 650, 650 because I need submissions. I've been, I've watched like 20 movies in the last month. I'm trying to crank out a bunch over the, over the office. I got one for you. Okay. In Bruges. Have you seen in Bruch?

Nope. put that on your list in bruges in bruges it's a Colin Farrell early in his career one of my low-key favorite movies just funny but also got some uh drama kind of not a thriller but like you know definitely i think more on the comedy side but it's a good movie okay i'll put it on the list there it's an extensive list but i always have room for more especially if they're on streaming currently because that you know what that helps a lot yeah i don't know about that you'll have to look that up on your own yeah 650 650 dumbbar lumber text line keep the coming in. We have an open segment on the other side, and we are, we are going to talk hockey.

We will fit in some hockey talk, the Olympics, we got some Olympic talk, maybe some RFA talk, but we might try to save that for tomorrow, too, in the interest of saving content in the summer. It is Halford and Brough. No, Halfer, no brough. It's Josh L.A. Wolf, Randy Janda, here on Sportsnet 650. Welcome back to Halford and Brough, Josh L.A. Wolf, Randy Janda, filling in for the aforementioned Halford and Brough. And Halfford and Brough is brought to you by Sanz and Associates, BC's first and trusted choice for Dattau, with over 3,000 five-star reviews, visit sands dash trustee.com. This hour of Halford & Brough is brought to you by Jason.

Dot Mortgage. If you love paying too much for your mortgage, then don't let Jason shop around to find the perfect mortgage for you. That's Jason. Dot mortgage. Keep your text coming in on the 650, 650, 6.50, Dumbar Lumber text line. That was a good, that was a good pause there. Yeah. Happy with that.

We got a lot of submissions on the, the, 650, 650, dumbball number text line because I'm asking for movie submissions. And some of them I have seen. Some of them I have not. So I will add to the list. Keep them coming in 650, 650, 650 because I find the off season, though I try to do a lot of summer activities during the off season, like going outside and experiencing nature and trying not to stay in my house all the time.

It is overrated. There's a limit to that too. There's a limit. So at night in the evenings, after a Blue Jays game, you want to turn. on a movie, and I have a backlog of movies, classic ones that I have not watched, so I'm adding as many as I can to the list.

Also, weeks that you work the morning show. Like, I know I'm going to sound like somebody that is a total noob to the morning show, which I am. But I feel like post noon is when you get sleepy and you'll probably like vegetate on the couch a little bit. Happens often. Yeah, a movie or a series is

always a nice way to kill time. The issue, like, so I've tried to watch a movie or two after the morning show and the issue is I just immediately fall asleep. Okay, Josh, I'm a big movie buff. Yeah. And I'm going to give you my 10 favorite movies here. Tell me if you've seen or haven't seen these. Okay, I'm ready.

Starting from 10, going to go 10 to 1. Okay. Training day. I have not seen that. What? It's on the list. It's on the list. I have not seen the list.

It's on the list, too. I'm a bad movie guy, and I've seen all of you guys. I know. Back to the future. I have seen that. Lord of the Rings. I have seen that. Yes.

Raiders of the Lost Ark. Of course. That's a good one. Empire Strikes Back. Ghostbusters. Yep. Silence of the Lambs. I have not seen that.

Wow. It's on the list. That's my number two and my number one, saving Private Ryan. I have seen that. Okay. I like that one. That's pretty good. You've seen most of these.

It started bad, got good by the end. You've seen most of these. Okay, I'm impressed. Because there are some people like, I'll say that list and they haven't seen. Oh, I'll throw in a, as an honorary mentioned. Jurassic Park. I've seen all of them. Yeah.

So you're doing better than most. I'm proud of myself. I got a lot of the first half of that list. It was dangerous. You had me worried. I was like, man, is he going to keep naming movies that are good, but I have not seen? Training days a great watch. Yeah.

That's a lot of fun. That's, uh, that's on the list. Okay. So, 650, 650. Keep those texts, uh, coming in, but we did want to get in some Olympic talk because, you know, the preliminary rosters are coming out, uh, for potential roster, rosters for the Olympics and, and they're kind of training camps for the U.S. teams, team camp. Canada, all of that. And we've talked about that. But the GM of the American team, Bill Guerin, with some comments, some maybe desperate comments, Randeep, about what they want to do in the Winter Olympics next year.

I'm going to read you a quote of what Bill Garan said to NHL.com. We have to win. We have to win another one of these. It's been since 1996. We have to find a way. that is in one basically string of comments that he makes to the reporter and he was rubbing his temples as he said it I don't know the tone of this it was a it was not an audio but just based on the quotes I think they're kind of desperate in the United States for a win

it does feel a little desperate and to be fair like it's been since 1996 they're gonna have a very good team I mean they'll have a great shot at winning at all I well even in the four nations right like Canada wins the tournament but is there a point to be made that the United States probably

controlled the run of play and they were the aggressor in that matchup. Lacking Quinn Hughes as well, how would have gone if you were there. Sure, like, the expectation is there now for the United States to say, okay, you get the silver, you win second place in that tournament, but you could make a case that

you might have taken a game to to Team Canada. Yeah, I mean, like this Four Nations tournament, this era of the American national team does feel like the one that has the best chance to beat Team Canada. And I think you can make a very realistic argument that the Americans on paper might be better than Team Canada, especially when you factor in the goaltending.

If you factor in everything but the goaltending, you might take Team Canada. But when you factor in Jordan Bennington, who did play well for Canada at the Four Nations, but when you factor in that he's probably going to be the starter once again at the Olympics for Canada. Meanwhile, Connor Hallibuck or Jake Onger, maybe Thatcher Demko, maybe Jeremy Swayman,

like those are your four goalies to choose from for the Americans. That's going to be their edge. And if they can have one of those guys performing at an extremely high level come the Olympics, that would be kind of the case to make for the Americans to beat Canada.

Yeah, it's the goaltending aspect, you're 100% right. But when I look at the larger ice surface in Milan at the 2026 Olympics. Like, Team USA does skew a little younger. Might be a little faster maybe from a team perspective. But Connor McDavid, Nathan McKinnon, in a larger ice surface with more room to operate, and in a game there's less clutching and grabbing, and it's less physical, potentially.

Watch out. Like, I think we focus a lot on Team USA with, you know, the Matt Boldies, the Cole Cofields, Kyle Connor, Dylan Larkin, like, these guys can move. Matthew Kachuk, go up and down that list. Jack Hughes, obviously, is going to be featuring really prominently, has that speed, Eichl as well. But the two best players, arguably, in the forward group, are still Connor and Nathan McKinnon. Yeah. And Sidney Crosby is probably your third on that group.

Which is a great problem to have. And to have two of the fastest and most powerful skaters in the game, like I think in the international game is still going to, in my opinion, sways the forward group towards Team Canada, but the question of who has more depth, probably a valid question when you look at Team USA and what they've got. They've got a lot of pieces. And you do bring up an interesting point.

So the Four Nations, that was reft by NHL referees, right? It was a, it was reft as if it were an NHL event because it was an NHL event. There were three fights in that one game to start off, right? And in international tournaments, it's different officiating. And it could be a different game than we're used to seeing. And I do, I do think that in a more physical style of game,

the Americans probably have the edge, especially because you factor in both Kachukes on the American team. And they are very imposing players. J.T. Miller as well. J.T. Miller. And look, the Canadian side does have an element of being tough to play against. you look at guys like Brad Marchion who maybe aren't physically imposing

but they're pasty, San Bennett Hagel brings that element Hagle has that element. There are guys who are physical or at least annoying to play against, but the Americans do have more of those players on their side. So I do wonder if in

an international officiated tournament, if that edge might help the guys, like you mentioned Connor McDavid, Nathan McKinnon, where the speed is going to be even more of a factor for them because guys aren't going to be able to get away with as much on the international stage. I think it's going to play a factor. And, you know, after that Four Nations tournament, there was a lot of talk about Tom Wilson being on Team Canada. He's a physical

presence. He's a deterrent. I don't think it makes sense at the Olympic level, right? Like, you want guys that, and I love Tom Wilson. I think he's a great, you know, a heck of a player. You want him in your NHL lineup or a tournament that is suited to NHL style of game. But in an international tournament where fighting, you fight, you're kicked out of the game. Like that's not going to be a thing at the Olympics. It was in the Four Nations face off. Maybe when that was awesome.

It was awesome, but when that game, when that tournament comes back, Tom Wilson throw them or Tom Wilson-esque type of players throw them in there, but I don't think they're going to have that same effect. Now, the one player, even on Team USA, that I think should have a much stronger push for this time around

is Tage Thompson. Like the international game is suited to a player like him. So, You're going to see potentially some shifts in rostered decisions. A guy like Tage Thompson who didn't make the U.S. team, I think, you know, based on what he's able to do at the NHL level, he should have made that team anyways. But at the international level, I think he's got to be a shoe in because you're looking for skill, you're looking for speed, and you're looking for goal scores, which he is. it's going to be an even matchup but I think there is one element here that the pressure for this generation

we hear this often in international soccer circles like the golden generation of a team or a nation this is the golden generation of Team USA when it comes to hockey definitely and at some point you start to feel that pressure right you feel that all right we got to get it done but what's really tricky here is that you're playing the best hockey nation on the planet

in Team Canada so it's like you have this internal pressure to say, we got to get it done, which we heard in Bill Garen's comments, but on top of that, it's not like you're playing, you know, just a mediocre team. You're playing the best in the world. So how do these star players weigh that internal and external pressure? Yeah, and there is the element of like, I think if, I'm trying to figure out if it's, if it's better or worse for, from a Canadian perspective, that the U.S. lost to Team Canada at the four nations. like are they going to come into the Olympics and maybe we'll see we'll see what it is next season because we have to wait and see what kind of mindset they go into it with but is it would it have been

I don't want to say better like is the mindset they come in with going to be one of hey we got to prove that we are the best and last year didn't go the way we won't we got a chip on our shoulder or are they going to be in their heads of like oh man we lost to team Canada last season. And now, now there's this pressure from Bill Garan and there's pressure because you mentioned like, hey, this generation of American players, they do have to perform. They do have to win a notable trophy or medal. Like if they, they have to show that they are legitimately better than the Canadians. And they haven't done that yet. Does that get to their head or is that fuel for this coming Olympics? I feel like that pressure was already there in the Four Nations. Because

Because remember, Mike Sullivan announcing to the world that Quinn Hughes was going to join the team, which we know did not happen. Like, that was one of the best defensemen or the best defenseman team USA has, and if not the best defenseman on the world, is going to join our team. Like that, that was a, yeah, we want them and we probably need them. Yeah. So I feel like that's already there. But here's the thing about that final.

I think the United States probably, rather than that empowering them, it's like you play a better game from start. to finish, the United States probably had a better tournament than Team Canada. Canada kind of ramped it up when they needed, they got the win. I don't know if that gives you confidence losing in the final team Canada. Like all of these U.S. players think they are to the same level as the Canadian

players. So to think you've played the better tournament and end up losing that because, man, you lost the team Canada again, I don't know if that gives you confidence. I think actually the opposite. It's like you weren't able to get the job done and that's just another like weight on your shoulder as team

USA. Do we factor in any other country as a threat? Or is it just like, well, it's going to come down to one of these two? Sweden's deep, but I just, like the star, the high end, like the really high end players. Connor McDavid, Nathan McKinnon, Austin Matthews, that level of player. Yeah. Does any of those teams have that player? No.

I mean, like, you're right about Sweden having depth. They almost have the same problem that Canucks are going to have this season where it's like, well, what's Alias Patterson? What's your one C? Yeah. And if he is a one seat come Olympic time, like that, that would be a big boost for them. I still don't know, to your point, you look at the roster and you'd have to make, they'd be, they'd still be a clear underdog against the U.S. or against Canada. But if they do have Elias Patterson firing at the level Canucks fans, hopefully as Patterson will be firing at, that would go a long way.

Their issue is going to be, like, I don't know if I, I love their defense. Because you got an aging, Victor Hadman, got Eric. Carlson and aging Matias at home Matias at home Gustav Forsyne I think is really good Rasmus Delene

I think has been underrated for for a while but then it's like Hampus Lindholm and you know it's Brodeen Rasmus Anderson

like good defenseman but not at the level of what Canada or the U.S. are going to have yeah Canada U.S. have like game changing

absolute world class players right now in Kiel McCarr and Quinn Hughes Yeah like who is that play driving defenseman for you like

you're a Dahlene to be huge. You need like 2015, 2016, Eric Carlson. Yeah. He's not available. Unfortunately, he might turn it back. I doubt it. All right.

But Rasmus Dahlin's going to have to show something else because there are, on international ice, I wouldn't put it past Sweden putting in, you know, like these guys have been playing together since they were juniors. Like there is a built in chemistry for a lot of these European nations, which I don't think at this level, especially on international ice, we can discount. there is going to be a shock in the tournament, whether it's Finland, whether it's Team Sweden. So, you know, the Finns are a little bit more scrappy.

They might lack the high-end skill, but a player like Sasha Barkoff, all that takes is one game for him to take over, and boom, they can knock anybody out, right? So I think both Finland and Sweden are capable of knocking Team Canada USA out on their day, but the real depth of high-in skill that both Team USA and Canada have.

Sweden, even as good as Sweden is, they can't compete with that. Okay, so that's Sweden. You mentioned Tom Wilson, and I did want to talk about him because, so going into the Four Nations last season, I'm trying to do, when were the rosters set? Was it December?

Yeah, I feel like it was pre-Christmas. Yeah, so the issue with Tom Wilson prior to this season is, A, he had been dealing with injuries, and B, last season, 23, 24, he had 35 points in 74 games. Like, he just wasn't as effective as Tom Wilson was this season where he scored 30 goals. He had 65 points. I do wonder if he now has made a more legitimate case of like, hey, I can still contribute.

I can still score. I can still put up points as well as being the guy that can be your answer to an annoying Matthew Kachuk or an annoying Brady Kachuker or if J.T. Miller is getting a little feisty you like if you do want to have that physical element in your game and as you mentioned like look it's not going to be as big a part of this tournament because of how things are officiated and international tournaments are just less physical than a tournament or or any NHL sanctioned event so I I feel like you can make the case either way for someone like Tom Wilson but I would not be against him being the 13th 14th forward that

extra forward for Team Canada at this at this Olympics yeah there's going to when you have a question about adding like who are you subtracting I guess from the main the main team from the four nations face off because if you're adding a winger which tom wilson is you know which one of those players are you basically bypassing to say is it a anthony sirelli type of player who's a center but there's a lot of discussion on do you really need you know a shutdowns center when you have so many centers already on the team. Yeah. Do you need that player?

Now, he's still going to have the John Cooper connection. Exactly. So are you bumping him? Are you bumping somebody else off that roster? So I think Tom Wilson, you could make a case for him because he does add that physical element. But even the way that hits are penalized or officiated in international hockey, you're very different. And you have to kind of like tow that line of physicality versus discipline.

And it's even that much worse at the international level. where, hey, I hit that would be legal in the NHL. Guess what? International hockey, you might be penalized for it. So I like Wilson as a player. I just don't know if this is the fit, where would you be better off bringing an extra center to say, hey, is it Ryan Nugent Hopkins?

Is it maybe a slightly faster winger, like a Quinn Byfield, who can also play center as well? Or even like a celebrini. If you're trying to get him, you know, shaped up for the next Olympics, get him the experience of playing. with Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid and all of that. I do wonder if there's, you know,

if you're taking a winger off the roster from the Four Nations, I mean, Travis Kinekney was there. Seth Jarvis, I know he can play center, but he's more of a winger. Those would be two of the guys, the two guys I kind of look at as potential Wilson substitutes, I guess. The one player I'm looking at, so Wilson, you're right,

but I think with like Nick Suzuki, 89 points last year, he plays a two-way game. If you're taking Sorrelli off, is it basically Suzuki, Sorelli off. And then one of those changes you made were to say to Wilson ends up making the team. You want a little bit more physicality. And then you take one of those other forwards off. Yeah, we'll see. Uh, 650, 650. We got a few texts on this. This one unsigned from Gary.

Team USA is going to add Quinn Hughes next year. So Canada is going to struggle. I don't care what anyone says. I do think the addition of I'm really interested in seeing what Quinn Hughes can do hopefully at full health. Is he really a difference maker? Probably not. Only if you play center, guys. They get them down the middle and they are unstoppable. Hold on.

Great idea for the Vancouver Knicks. Let's get Bruce Bruechrun. But I am excited to see what he can do with those caliber of players. And on international ice too, we talk about how that'll help guys like McDavid and McKinnon. That'll be really helpful for someone like Quinn who can, who can dance around the ice

on an NHL-sized dice sheet, let alone an international sized dice sheet. Yeah, an absolute, just the way he can walk the blue line as well, an absolute terror for forwards that are trying to track them and trying to chase him. If you over-commit, he can beat you wide. If you sit back, then he can kind of beat you side-to-side as well, right? So, like, either way, you're kind of hooped.

Now, Kail Makarro brings that similar element, too. That's one of the names we haven't mentioned when it comes to speed, but we know he's one of the faster skaters, fastest skaters from the defensive position. We got this text. I think it's a great hypothetical, though. Yeah. Would Canucks fans be okay with Sweden winning the gold

if it meant PD play it at a high level? Right. So in this made-up scenario, let's say it's Sweden, Canada in the gold medal game. Are you okay with that? No, of course not. You want Canada to win. But what's more important?

Well, that would be like, okay, well at least this happened scenario but obviously you want Canada to win but what what are you debating that so I weren't saying you'd be okay with I personally would want the Canucks sorry not the Canucks the Team Canada win Yes I want Canada to win

But I know the level of fandom in the city Yeah And I can guarantee you You know listeners text in 650 650 On the Dunbar text line I feel like it'd be a 50-50 split I feel a lot of Canucks fans would say Hey if it means sacrificing the gold medal

P.D. waking up and finding himself? Yes. I don't know about that. Dude, I'm fully on that chip. If it means that the Canucks get a hundred point Selky caliber, Elias Pedersen back, I will trade a Canada gold medal for that. How PD gets his groove back. It could be like a 30 for 30 type of... Could you imagine that? Yeah, I'd be so open to it. It would be a nice silver lining of Canada lost, but I would still want Canada to win.

I'm with you. Yeah, I would prefer if, like, Pedersen carried Sweden to the gold medal fine, And then they lost, but he, like, scored a hat trick and Canada wins like five three. That's probably the best case scenario. Canada wins, but P.D. gets his groove better. Remember when Ryan Kessler had, he was in that similar shoes, and he was not very happy? Yeah. It felt like the Ryan Kessler experiment after that went kind of sideways.

Yeah. It started like in Vancouver and he was getting booed by Vancouver fans, though. So I feel like that's it. But of course, the reverse could happen. Canada could win and P.D. is completely invisible. It doesn't get a single point and plays even worse because of that. Fair. the remainder of the season. We saw that already.

Right, so let's not run that. We got the ideal scenario here from unsigned texture. PD leads the turning in points, scores a hatrick in the gold medal game against Canada, but Canada wins an O.T. That would be the ideal scenario. But again, I would trade, if it means you get the ideal form

of Elias Pedersen back, I would gladly, selfishly trade a Canada gold medal for that. I would be upset. I would be upset. But I would, I just care more about the Canucks, then I do about Team Canada at the Olympics, personally. Maybe I have more like job investment in it, but that's just, that's my take. I'm always a club over country guy, I guess.

Okay, that's fair, but I would say the priority for me would be Team Canada winning, obviously. Number two, Pedersen and Sweden wins, but Pedersen leads them to victory. And number three, like, not even number three, but of the three scenarios, Team USA win. I don't think that can happen As a proud Canadian, team USA winning I don't want to see that at all That's the other benefit of if Sweden wins

That means the US also did not win Like it'd be I wouldn't trade Obviously there would be no Canucks benefit to a I guess the only Canucks benefit to the US winning Would be if Quinn Hughes and Thatcher Demco Carry the US to a gold medal But I wouldn't trade a Canada loss Not at the expensive yeah I wouldn't do that

But Sweden, I'm fine with Sweden. And also, Hughes plays great with his brothers. He's like, you know what? I want more of this. Oh, no. That's fair. Or he gets his fix, and he's like, you know what? I don't need to do this anymore.

It was good. I'll do it every four years. Turns out I actually hate these guys. This guy sucks. Winning with my brother was not as great as I thought it would be. I'm out. We got this from Rob and Surrey saying, you guys seem to be forgetting that the Olympic rosters are 25,

four nations face off was 23. Valid point. That helps. You can carry an extra defenseman or a forward. Which is great, which would be excellent for a McLan Celebrini or a Connor Bedard. I think with Badard, he's got to show, like, if he's scoring to begin the year, I feel like there's an easier path for him, although McClabrini had the better season last year. Kind of feel like Celebrini may have surpassed him in terms of likelihood to be on the Olympic roster.

But we'll see. They're like 50. If Badard, like, shoots out the lights at the beginning of the year, I think he's, I think he'll probably get the inside track. Okay. On the other side, we are going to talk some BC lines as well. We'll be joined by the GM, Ryan Rig Maiden. They're coming off a bye, and we'll talk about their upcoming matchup against the Hamilton Tiger Cats. It is Halfer and Brough.

No, Howford, no Brough. It's Josh Elliott Wolf, Randy Chandon, Sportsnet, 650.