Halford & Brough in the Morning - What Will The Canucks Do Today?

Episode Date: July 1, 2026

In hour two, Mike & Jason chat with Victory+ NHL insider Frank Seravalli (2:20) about what the Canucks might do today at the start of NHL Free Agency, plus the boys get Sportsnet NHL insider Elliotte Friedman's (27:10) thoughts on the subject as well.  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.

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Frank. 7 o'clock on a Wednesday. Happy Wednesday, everybody. Halford and Brough of the morning is brought to you by Sands and Associates. Their clients often say, I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off of me. If debt is wading you down, visit sands dash trustee.com. For more, we are now in our two of the program, Frank Saravalli. Our NHL insider from Victory Plus is going to join us in just a moment here.

Our two of this program is brought to by Jason hominock at Jason. dot 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. Visit them online at jason.morgage. We are broadcasting live from the Kintech Studio. Step Strong with Orthotics and Footwear from Kintech. coverage of NHL free agency on Sportsnet 650 is brought to you today by Beyond Basic

Eyewear. Go above and beyond this summer with Beyond Basic Eyewear. Visit them at 1052 Austin Avenue in Coquitlam or online at Beyond Basic Eyewear.ca. Before we go to the ABLE Auctions hotline and speak with Frank Sarvalley, the one to watch brought you by Limitless AV. We're actually going to be watching this in studio in two hours, even though we're on the air until 10. 9 a.m. this morning, England and the Democratic Republic of Congo from Mercedes Ben Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. For the right to go to Azteca, which was insane last night. That was the one to watch last night. That was incredible theater. What incredible drama. The atmosphere there was just wild. So there's your one to watch. Brought to you by Limitless A.V.,

Vancouver's most trusted audiovisual integration experts, specializing in seamless video conferencing solutions, and hybrid work spaces. your personalized tour of their experience center today at Limitlessavisavit.ca to the able auctions hotline. We go. As mentioned, our next guest is from Victory Plus. He's our NHL insider. Frank Saravalli here on the Halford & Brough Show on SportsNet 650. Good morning, Frank. How are you? How are you guys? We're well. We are eagerly anticipating whatever today has in store. Free agency doesn't officially kick off for another two hours, but there's a lot going on. Before we get into a lot of the stories from around the NHL, Frank,

we do want to start with the Vancouver Canucks. Are you hearing anything of note, maybe not necessarily about who they're bringing in today, but who they might be moving out? I still think a Jake DeBroft's trade is a very real possibility. I'd say short of that, and to be totally fair, the Nils Hoaglander situation,

definitely caught me off guard. But I'd say that DeBrusk would be the biggest name that the Canucks would be focused on today in terms of moving out. Would some teams see him just as essentially a free agent signing? More or less. I mean, there's not a massive return. I mean, there's a return. Like, the Connucks would be getting something back for sure.

But that's the real question that, As these teams go through today and they see some of the prices that are going to be paid, what it really comes down to is would you give Jake Debrusk this contract, what's remaining on it today, if you were to hit the market? And I think the answer to that would be a resounding yes. Yeah. What do you think about some? We're seeing AJ Greer top 425 with some trade protection.

I mean, Jake Debrusk is a bona fide 25 goal scorer every year. and on the other guys like peterson and and besser is that for later on in the summer when when everything the dust is settled after free agency I'd say I'm more pessimistic on that happening at least at this exact juncture is it possible that someone circles back and says hey we we really were trying to make something happen and we couldn't do it and now we're interested in reengaging I mean

it's always possible. But I explained this with Sat and Bick the other day when it comes to that trade that was executed for Brendan Gallagher, really, again, no surprise. But I read that situation as the Canucks not needing additional salary to get to the floor, which they would, it would be a consideration if Pedersen was gone. So, I mean, there's a million ways to do it, right? you could take back another contract and make that happen. But essentially the agreement between, I'm told, the Canadians and the Canucks was,

take your time, see what you need cap-wise. And if you need the whole thing, of course, you can take all of Brendan Gallagher's contract. And if you don't and you're not interested, we'll retain half. And so the Canadians left it in Vancouver's court. They came back to Montreal this week and said, yeah, we don't need the whole contract. We're going to need you to retain. And the Canadians just said, sure. Are the Kinecks going to be operating around the salary cap floor for the next few years?

I mean, I think they're not going to be much above it. They're not planning to spend. I don't know that there's necessarily an internal budget, but I think part of the plan and part of the reason why they're going, as they're rebuilding, the plan is to go lean throughout the organization. It's not just salary for players on the cap. it's coaching salaries, it's, it's all these other ancillary parts of hockey ops and running a team.

They're not, they're looking to conserve as much cash as possible as they go through this transition with ownership. And as they then hit the next part of what they'd like to accomplish, they'd like to have be locked and loaded ready to spend. So is it them like putting money in the piggy bank or something or is this going to, is this something that could make the rebuild more difficult? No, I don't, I don't view it as like putting money in the piggy bank. I view it as we know that one part of the ownership group is being bought out. That cash has to come from somewhere.

And they're also obviously projecting at some point, even though the support from the Canucks fan base last year was massive, they're expecting a drop off in spending and revenue coming in. So they're trying to balance all of that to make sure that it's not incredibly out of whack as this team enters a really tough portion of their franchise history. I actually wondered when there were reports, and I don't know if you reported this, but there were reports that the Canucks were now willing to retain salary on Pedersen. And I wondered if that had to do with the salary cap floor, them thinking, well, look, like we got to get above the floor at some point. or, you know, somehow. So if we have to retain, we got to retain.

Yeah, it wasn't. So that's part of it for sure. Like they came to a realization of whether we spend it on retaining on Pedersen or we spend it on dummy contracts coming back, whether it's $2 million to him or $3 million to him or whatever the number is or $3 million to some guy that's on LTIR for life. Like, it doesn't matter who the dollars are getting spent on. What matters is the actual impact on the team.

And so I think they became open to the idea or the notion of we need to reach the floor. So this is also one method of doing so. Have you heard less on Brock Besser? We haven't really discussed Brock Besser as much. You know, Jake DeBress, we figured would be moved because he wants to move on. And the Canucks don't want anyone on the team that doesn't want to be there. we've discussed Pedersen because I don't know, that's what we do here in Vancouver,

especially on their show. And Brock Besser is going to be like, yeah, he's there too, but there's never really been any discussion. Would they retain on him? What's his market value around the league? Look,

there hasn't been as much talk about Brock Besser because, like, I don't think he's beating down their door to leave. And again, brings us back to the conversation of culture, environment. They really like Brock Besser and his role in that function. Part of it is, again, you still need to spend.

So they'd like to have proper role models in place. This guy isn't beating down your door to leave if you had said or presented an opportunity that someone put on your plate and you went to Brock Besser and said, would you consider this? I don't think the answer is going to be no. I think he's open to moving if they decided that that's what they wanted to do. But I don't think anyone is in a giant rush, at least as I understand it, one way or the other. Okay, let's talk about Zach Werenski.

What's going on there? Well, where do you want to begin? I got a lot on. I've got a question. How did that situation go from Zach Werenski, reportedly telling Rick, bonus that all was good and he wanted to stay in their end of year meetings to where we're at today where Zach Wrenski is turning down a trade to the Dallas stars. Okay, so I think that's actually at the exact crux of where some of this frustration and

angst comes from is the, as I understand it, the Columbus Blue Jackets are being disingenuous in how this is being presented or portrayed publicly. Part of the reason why, I can't, do we get to this last week? Part of the reason why I've used the phrase, the Columbus Blue Jackets have had their heads in the sand, is because this is a situation where they have, this has been simmering for a few months now. Like, this isn't really new. And so now if they go on this path to present Zach Werencky as a villain, and I'm sure you've seen some of the stories, I'm sure you've seen some of the vitriol on social media

that's now been extended to Zach Werencky. They have known for a while that Zach Werencky was not, there were no plans to resign if that question was asked. But if you avoid asking the question and you want to just pretend like everything's all good, and again, as I said, stick your head in the sand and oh, maybe we'll just play this out and this will be great and we'll acquire a few more players

and will become a playoff team and a full season of Rick Bonas and if, if, if, I mean, that's one way to play it. But it also would be totally mismanaging what's staring you right in the face. And that's what this situation is. And so now if you want to then go on the back end of it and make Zach Werenski out to be something that he isn't, well, then I could understand why you'd want to take issue with that. Does Zach Werenzky have a problem with Rick Bonus? Because Bonus has been, no, I don't think so.

But again, presenting it as a surprise, I don't, this isn't or shouldn't be surprising to anyone. This has been whispered about, talked about, this has been a very poorly kept secret since April. Okay, so the follow-up is what happened with the Dallas trade? Did they not go to Rorensky first and say we're working on a deal with the stars to send you there? Did they consummate a deal and then go ask Werenski and it fell apart? That's my understanding, yes.

And I think Werenski has also, I don't think he's at the time. I don't know exactly what information was shared. But from Jump Street, my impression has been Zach Werencki did not have any interest in going to the Western Conference. Okay. So who's the most upset right now? Is it the Rorensky camp? Is it the Blue Jackets or is it the Dallas Stars and Thomas Harley? probably all the above i mean probably most angry right now is

Zach warensky trying to manage this situation in which obviously this relationship is falling apart or has fallen apart and blown up and he actually really liked it in columbus like was a big fan of the organization and the city and the fan base but this team has also had an aversion to being competitive. Like, let's be real. And that's what this is about. It's not about I don't like Columbus.

It's not about I don't like the coach or I don't think I've been treated correctly. It's more been where's the path for me to ultimately have a shot to win? And that part is a lot harder to reckon with 26 years of, franchise futility. Does he think that Toronto might be that path? Well, that's kind of the funny part that Blue Jackets fans are sitting here going, wait a second, that's one of the teams that finished way below us in the standings. Like that's the place that you want to go.

And also not an American-based team. Like you're going to now also go as an American go to Canada. Yeah. Look, I don't know the exact correct way to frame this. But I think as I understand it now, And again, subject to change, I believe Zach Werenski has made it very clear that his first choice is to go to the Tampa Bay Lightning. And that there is a possibility that he might be open to or would consider Toronto as an alternate, but again, not preferred. and I think part of what has happened here as this has devolved over the last 24 hours

is that they seem to be closer toward wedging just one option. And obviously that puts the blue jackets in an incredibly uncomfortable position. I mean, Tampa needs a guy like Werenski. Victor Hedman, I know he was dealing with some personal issues, but he's 35 years old. He's lost a step. he's not playing as much. You got Ryan McDonough, who's 37 years old,

and they just lost Darren Radish to the Toronto Maple Leafs. I mean, I would think that Zach Werencky, the Tampa Bay Lightning, would do everything that it possibly can to get him. Yeah, and so now people have made the case, and I've seen a lot of this reaction on social media. It's like, yeah, but what do the Lightning have to trade? Right. I think this is the part that people are kind of,

lost on, if you're thinking about it from Zach Werenski's perspective, your job going to a place that you want to contend in is to make sure that they give up the least amount possible to get you. You don't want a haul going back the other way from their current roster because you want to go play with those guys to help chase the Stanley Cup. So people say, well, why would you want to hamstring your team? It's not really about your team anymore. It's about you. And now in this case, I would argue after the gloves are off, it's really just about you. Are any of these things that going on in Dallas right now connected or do these all exist, as Adog would love to say in a vacuum?

Like Robertson in the situation there, Harley, potentially getting moved and then not getting moved to a trade that was agreed upon, according to reports, Maverick Bork getting traded. Like, what's going on in Dallas right now? Well, like what down is up. I mean, think about it from their viewpoint, right? They have had one of the most competitive teams in the league over the last five years. And now they've had two scuttled trades in a span of a week, both of which would have changed the fortunes.

And I had players texting me last night. What do you mean people don't want to go to Dallas, question mark? Like, how is this possible? And there's so many layers to this, right? And I think these things are in some ways disconnected, right? the Robertson deal was one thing with Seattle. He gets offered a massive number, 125 million flat. He turns it down because it's not his preferred destination and place to play.

Then they have that other connection with Matt Nyes and that number seven pick going to Toronto. That obviously gets scuttled in the meantime too. And now this. And Thomas Harley, unfortunately, is like, lateral damage. Like he was, this is a guy who is a Canadian Olympian who is, you know,

planning on being part of the Dallas Star's blue line for a long time. He doesn't have any protection because he's not old enough to get any. There's nothing he can do. And meanwhile, like the Robertson thing is still very much hanging out here in the balance. And you're going, well, if Robertson really wants to stay,

is there a path to do it? And is ARB even that case? Like, what is that ARB payment, even on a one-year deal, does that make any sense for the Dallas stars to go down that path, knowing that you'd only have them for one year? Interesting times in Dallas as well, but I'm really focused on the Oilers over the next few days to see how they improve this roster

because they haven't yet. I know they kept Dickinson and they kept Connor Murphy, but those guys were part of the team that disappointed in the playoffs this year. All sorts of talk about Darnell Nurse. Are they going to be able to move him and his contract? What are they going to do about the goaltending? And how are they going to improve the depth of this team? I think the first thing I would say today, if you're an oiler fan, is like,

don't hold your breath. Like, part of the thing is they're trying to improve in free agency. They're going to be targeting a couple different things. They need to address their goaltending situation. But, like, I'm not expecting, like, massive, massive change from the Oilers. And part of it is lack of cap space. Part of it is lack of assets.

Yeah. And look, will they go after an Ilya McKeyev? Have they thought about a Jamie Alexiak on the back end? If they could move Darnell Nurse, is Elvis Merslickens part of their potential plan in net to get him from Columbus one way or the other? I mean, again, I think these are all really realistic and within the realm of possibility things, but I don't know that any one of those guys that I just mentioned

gives you any sort of confidence that this Euler team is going to be vastly improved. Do you think at the end of the day, at the end of the off season, the biggest move that the Oilers will have made is hiring Mike Babcock as head coach? It's possible. Like, are they banking on the, because they took a pretty big PR risk in bringing in Mike Babcock. Are they just thinking like

he's going to get the team playing the way we need to play and the way we've shown in the past we can play to get to the Stanley Cup final and for whatever reason, they didn't play that way last season. I mean, that's part of the equation for sure and part of it is to help

create a better environment for whoever is playing goal that they could have a reasonable shot for success in their own end. Yeah, that's definitely part of it. But like this darnel nurse thing hangs out in the, like, Darnel Nurse and what happens next greatly impacts how different this team will look. And it's not just from moving on from him. It's like they need that space in order to do what they want. And I can only tell you that from the three teams that he's allowed them to talk to,

none of those three at this exact moment in time are eager right now today to do it. They all have other options making Darnel Nurse secondary or tertiary. And I mean, it's all connected from there. Do you think Tristan Jari's played his last game for the Oilers? I mean, that's one situation that I would drive a hard stake into the ground. Like, I'm not bringing back a goalie that I didn't trust enough. to play in the postseason and not at that cap hit. And I know you're saying, well, Frank, easier said than done.

How do you move on? If you can move Darnel Nurse, you can move Tristan Jari. I got one more for you before we let you go. It's the annual July 1. Will we actually see an offer sheet signed this summer? I don't think so. I mean, look, I've spent way too many hours combing through rosters and putting together scenarios and formulas.

And I'd love to try. I mean, everyone, like, if Maverick Bork is moving here, then that's on threat of an offer sheet. Okay. So that will have produced a transaction. And I don't even think it really needed to be a massive offer sheet to do it. Like, I'd have to go back and double check the thresholds, but I had it at like four, seven something. And that's a second rounder in return. Like, it's easier for Dallas to just trade them and get a better return than that.

Um, Dora Fiev was another guy that was rumored and that might be part of the reason why he moved to the Rangers. Um, also obviously Vegas has their own considerations with Rasmus Anderson getting signed and whatever else they'd like to do. I mean, I think ideally they'd like to be in the mix for Dylan Larkin. Um, I just, who, who is that offer sheet target? Like Robertson makes zero point zero cents to me. Yeah. By the time you, you go about paying. and overpaying to do it,

if you just made the trade, it would cost you less than four first round picks. Right. Well, we will wait and see what happens today, Frank. Thank you very much for taking the time to do this today. It should be an interesting one. Again, free agency kicks off. In an hour and a half, 9 a.m.R time is when guys can officially start signing contracts.

With that, we'll let you go, Frank. Thanks for doing this, bud. Always appreciate it. Of course, have a great Canada day, and we'll talk to you guys next week. Thanks, Frank. Appreciate it. That's Frank Saravali from Victor. plus our NHL Insider here on the

Halford & Brough Show on SportsNet 650. Before we go to break, I need to tell you about our friends at VGH Plus hometown heroes lottery. They need your support to help change lives and save lives. BC's bravest answer the call. Your ticket answers theirs. Support BC's

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Get your daily dose of Canucks Talk with us weekdays from 12 to 2 on Sportsnet 650. Or catch up on demand through your Facebook. favorite podcast app. 731 on a Wednesday. Happy Wednesday, everybody. Happy Canada Day, everybody. Halford, Braves, SportsNet, 650. Halford and Brum of the morning is brought to by Sands and Associates.

Their clients often say there is no judgment. You feel cared for and understood. Get debt free at Sands-Trustee.com today. It's nice, isn't it, Greg? The song? And the message. And the message. You feel cared for and understanding.

understood. That's two things. Rick Tollywell has a message. Oh. One player to keep an eye on in Vancouver is defenseman Ian Cole. I expect the Canucks to look hard at him, but he has good options. All right. Any more exciting to keep an eye on? I love the idea that they're going to look hard at him. Yeah. Didn't we already look at him for like 82 games and 14

playoff games? I think he played almost every game that year, if I'm not mistaken. He could be different. Could be different this time. It absolutely could. could. I wonder if he's going to end up in San Jose. I know you don't care. Nope. Yeah. What's the word I'm looking for? Care. Yeah, I mean, well, if they don't get him, isn't it just okay, let's try Zach Bogosian now? It feels like another option. Sure. We'll see what happens. Okay, we got freege on hold here. Before we get to Frege on the Able Auctions hotline, I need to remind you, we are an hour two of the program. An hour two is proud to by Jason hominock at Jason. If you love paying too much for your mortgage,

then don't let Jason shop around to find the perfect mortgage for you. Visit them online at Jason. mortgage. Okay, to the ABLE Auctions hotline, we go our next guest. SportsNet NHL Insetter, Elliot Friedman here on the Halford & Brough show on SportsNet 650. Morning, Fridge, how are you? Good. How are you guys doing? We're probably less busy

than you are right now. Let's start with Zach Werenczki. What's going on there? So, like, so they had, I guess on

Monday night, Dallas and Columbus had worked out a deal. It was Werenstki for Harley. There were other pieces involved. And it had to wait until today. And I don't know if it was cap related or it was contract related bonuses, whatever, but it had to wait until today. And as far as I know, like yesterday,

I don't know if they told the league or, but there was the plan to have a trade call this morning and get the deal done. And then, and like some people said, did Dallas not realize Wrenski had a no move clause? No, I don't think that was the case. I think they were well aware. But I don't think they had any reason to believe that he would invoke it. And yesterday he did. They were informed that he did.

And I'm not 100% sure. what exactly has happened here. But number one, I think he wants to go east. You know, his wife just had their second child recently, and I think that's part of it. And like they're from, and one of the reasons I do think Toronto is a factor here is that his wife and him,

they're both from outside of Detroit, so it's not difficult. travel to their families. But also yesterday, I guess there was an article, and I haven't, I've only glanced at it, but I guess there was a quote about Werencki, Rick Bonas, and said that Werencki had looked him in the eyes, and I heard that was in it, that became an issue.

I guess after that story came out, there were some really hard feelings. And I think that played into this. I think it was one of the reasons that, the trade was declined. Like Dallas got totally caught in the middle year. I don't think they had any reason to believe that this trade was going to get vetoed. And that's kind of what happened.

And I know some people have said to me this morning that they're kind of wondering if it could get back on the train. Because yesterday was a really emotional, angry day. But I don't know. I don't know that I see that. Yeah. And I guess that article was in The Athletic. And the headline is Blue Jackets. Rick Bonas blindsided by Werensky's decision

and then the quote is we looked each other in the eye. Hey, Fridge, I got a follow-up question. Who's the most angry right now? Is it the Werenzki camp? Is it the Blue Jackets or is it the Dallas Stars and Thomas Harley? I think it's a cauldron of anger, I would say. You know, I just think like, you know, like Dallas, that's two in a week, right?

So I'm sure they're looking at it. And that's one of the best destinations in the league, right? So I'm sure they're looking at it, like, what's going on here exactly? And, like, I think every, like, anytime something like this gets out, and plus, as you guys know, there's this whole frustration around the league now with the trade requests and kind of what's going on. And it's really, like, the temperatures are running hot right now. Let's just say that.

Yeah. Tampa Bay makes a lot of sense for Werencki with Victor Hedman being 35 years old. And, you know, I know he's, he had some personal issues at the end of the season. And I hope he's in a better spot now. But Tampa Bay was going to have to think about replacing him anyway. Darren Radish is in Toronto now. Do they have what it takes to put together an offer for Werenski? Well, I think that this thing is now is that there's two things here.

It's not only about the offer, but it's also about where he's willing to go. Like he's flexed his muscles. So, you know, what's his preference? Is it Tampa or Toronto? And also, as I wrote last night, there was a feeling after this happened that Werenski was not really interested in doing Columbus any favors. but I think I think everybody's going to calm down here. It's like everybody in life gets kissed off at something from time to time

and you're angry for a day and you wake up the next day and you're like, okay, how do I really feel how am I going to solve this problem? But I think that if you're asking that question honestly, Jason, I don't even think it's the most relevant question. I think it comes down to where does he really want to go? And can you look at what happened with Brady Kachat-a-aw? a lot, you gave them four teams, but they were basically at one. And so then you're kind of stock.

You have a choice. You do it or you don't do it. So which teams have you heard that he's willing to go to? Because, you know, Tampa and Toronto, right? And I think Florida, I always think you have to consider Florida, but Florida has shown no inclination to give up roster players, right? so I don't know that I think you have to put them in

but I don't know that that's the case What about Detroit? If you were to go there Would that calm down the Dylan Larkin situation? Maybe that's an answer for Steve Eiserman. I don't think so. No. I understand why you're asking, but I don't think so.

Okay. What is happening in Detroit right now with Dylan Larkin? I think Steve Eisenman is saying I'm not making a trade. It's like I wrote this morning, no trade is better than a bad trade. I think he'll trade them, but he wants something legit.

And he doesn't want futures, I don't think. Okay, let's talk about the Vancouver Canucks now. They have made some deals. They brought in Brendan Gallagher, and to make that happen, they traded away Nils Hoaglander. Are they in a situation where if they acquire something,

they have to move something first? Are there budgetary considerations in Vancouver that the fans need to know about? You know what I think it is, honestly, guys, is that if you're going through a rebuild like they are, why would you spend it a cap? No, I totally understand. Unless you can buy some picks. You know what, like, honestly, like, I think some of this stuff is like,

I don't know. I don't know what to make of it. I know there's a lot of skepticism. and that's fine. But I just think this, like the cap is at 104 U.S. right now, as of today. And that's what, 130 million Canadian. And even some of the teams that are in the United States who pay the dollar at par, they're looking at it.

Like, it doesn't make sense unless we're really in it. So I kind of look at it with, it's not necessarily about budget to me. It's more like, why are we going to spend anywhere near there? if we're not competing to win the Stanley Cup. I think that's what it is, really. Is there budgetary concerns? Maybe. I really don't know.

I look at it from a purely hockey point of view. I don't, I think they look at it like, why are we going to spend $104 million or whatever it is if we're not going to be anywhere close to contention? I think it's more likely than not. They work around the periphery. I think that one of the interesting things

it will be people who miss out today or don't get what they want or still don't like what they have that's when I think a lot of those teams start circling back with Vancouver and saying what do you think in here for some of your guys? So Fridge, I get what you're saying and I don't think anyone expects the Canucks to spend to the cap. Well, maybe Drans. I don't know. Well, I don't want Drans think sometimes.

But, but like, because I know there are ways that you can spend money to essentially acquire picks in theory. Right. And I'll tell you this. I think they would, like, I have heard that the Canucks have indicated that they are not afraid of taking on a contract if they're, if they are given reason to do it. Sweeteners to do it. Okay. Like I think one of the things I heard was that I think someone was talking about one of their guys, veterans who's available. And the team said, you know, would you take this contract?

And I heard the Canucks were willing to do it if they were. Because I think, A, it got rid of a contract off their team. And B, if they were compensated well enough, they weren't against the idea. So I think they will, it's a cliche, but if they can weaponize their space or do something that they think helps them, I don't think they're afraid of that. What I was going to say is that

I think the budgetary concerns are bigger than just the salary on players this season. I mean, I think everyone who's a fan of a team in Major League Sports wants to know that their ownership group is financially flush. And we're in a market, where we've been talking about a bloody practice facility for a decade now and there still isn't one built. So I think it's just one of those things where you just, where fans are just, if anything,

they're just curious about how well the team is doing and how well they anticipate things go during this rebuild. Well, I don't have any, like, I don't understand what you're asking. I'm not asking you anything. I'm just explaining this situation. Do you think that I, are you asking me if I think, that the team isn't financial. No, no, I'm not asking, I'm just explaining because you, you just pointed out that it was, I don't want to get an argument over this, but it was just like you said like, why people don't

expect, do people expect them to spend to the cap? And I don't think anyone does. I think they're just, they just want to know that everything's okay with the team right now. And so I wasn't asking you anything. I haven't, I haven't heard any reason to, like there's, like, I don't, I, like, I haven't heard any reason to think that the franchise and the Harold or anything like that. No, no. I think revenue wise, like I heard last

year they did quite well compared to a lot of other teams. Right. Okay. Interesting. It's all just going to be something we're going to be monitoring in this rebuild because this has been a debate that's been going on for years. What are you hearing about Elias Pedersen, Brock Besser, Jake DeBraske, any of these guys?

Well, that's kind of what I was referring to before that I think that that I think that some of these players are going to be circled back on. Like, don't forget, a lot of these guys have safe, some control. So, you know, they have to approve anything. But I think if you're a player, you know, and you want to win, you see the writing on the wall about what this is going to be like the next few years. I don't think the Canucks are averse to doing any of this.

And like I said, I think they're willing to do things. Like if they trade one of these players, and the acquiring team is like, I need you to take this contract back. I think the Canucks are willing to consider it. You know, I think that, you know, I think Vancouver's got like a kind of a sign on the door that says, you got an idea, come to us.

And we'll talk about it. And I think there's been various levels of interest in all these players. I think they've been asked about all of them. Like I just think in Pedersen's case, I do think there's been some interest in Pedersen. And I do think retention is an issue 100%, but also he's got to want to do it. But I do think there's been some interest in him.

It's just it all comes down to A, what he wants, and B, you know, what a trade could potentially look like. What about another Pedersen, Marcus Pedersen? I just think that, I just think, Mike, that they've got, like, if you have an idea for the Canucks and it's not somebody they consider. a key part of their rebuild, call them. Okay. And they'll listen to you. Like how many players, like are like who on like the one, the one guy I think is different is Ronick.

And you know, I, you know, he's got a really outspoken agent. And I think the Knoxer, this is a new, like it's a new era for them, a new front office. And I think they, the, the, the, the, the, Ronek and the agent have made, and have made their feelings clear about they don't want him to be bothered. and he wants to stay. And I think the Canucks have been called about him, and I think they communicate that. Like, to me,

I just think they're in a position where they've listened to what is said, and they don't want to get into any, they don't want to get into public missteps where someone's going to say, hey, like, new front office, this is how you treat somebody. I think the Canucks are very sensitive to that. So, like, I have no doubt people have called, but I think the Canucks have. are just sensitive in general to the situation.

And I think you'd really have to blow their socks off for them to even consider something like that. We're speaking to SportsNet's Elliot Friedman here on the Halford & Brough Show on SportsNet 650. On the subject of offer sheets, Elliot, do you think anything will be signed either today or throughout the summer? My follow-up is, are you willing to divulge your theory on what Carolina might be, might be contemplated in doing behind the scenes?

Not yet because I still think it's, it's like one of those things if you're wrong, it's so stupid that you don't want to be your phone. Been there, brother. Yeah, yeah, been there. We usually just say it anyway, though. Look, I think they're being weighed. Like, but I think the thing is you've got to really think you can get the player

or really handicap the other team. I think there are some teams who have thought about it for some of the big guys. But I also think there are some teams who thought about it. like Maverick Bork, I think Dallas has been concerned about it. And I think Dallas has said, you know, with their tight squeeze they're dealing with here, or with Robertson's uncertain future, I think they're worried they're a little vulnerable to that. And could they make a preemptive move? I think I think Bork is a guy there's been a lot of action around.

No one would take a shot at Adam Fantilia to Columbus, would they? Like I said, I think all of these names have been kind of considered. Right. And, you know, like, but you have to structure it in a way that's like crazy. What do you really have to make it poison pill? What did you make of the reported contract extension that Bowen Byram has received? That's true. He is, he's going to sign for six times 12 and a half.

What did you think when you saw that number and that term come across your phone? I wasn't, well, I heard, I think I've written this morning. It was about 12, so I kind of knew that something like that was coming. I'm not surprised. They traded for him. They gave up the fourth overall pick. I heard that when he spoke to Buffalo, he wanted four years at a huge number.

So I'm not surprised at all. Not surprised at all. And you know what? It's like sometimes it's, you know, who's got the leverage? And Byram is carrying a big hammer right now. And Chicago pushed all their chips in on them. I'm not surprised in the least. So the expectations for Bowen Byram is it to be,

like the number one defenseman. Yep. He's the number one D either. Yeah. The one thing, I mean, you guys know Byram. He's like a B.C. guy. Like, he's, he can handle this, but he's going to have, like, emotionally and temperamentally, he's perfect for this, but he's going to,

he's wanted this opportunity to be the number one guy. Now he's got to deliver. Yeah. It's, it's tough. I mean, because when you get paid like a number one defenseman, you definitely have to play like a number one defenseman. And perhaps no, I mean, you would know this in Toronto, perhaps, no athlete gets more criticism than the number one defenseman who's

getting paid like a number one defenseman who's not playing like a number one defenseman. Yeah, well, that's exactly it. Like, uh, like I remember, uh, Brian Campbell told me a story once that when he signed his big contract in Florida, like he never felt the same. He always felt like he had to live up to it on like one shift. Yeah. Oh, hold on one second. Go for it.

I think Maverick Bork is going to Nashville. Wow. The Preds have been busy. Chris McFarland making moves. Navarick Borg to Nashville. Okay. Hold on. Yep, we're good.

We are speaking to Elliot Freed here on the Halford & Breff Show on SportsNet 650, potentially breaking a trade live in real time here. Maverick Bork from the Dallas Stars 2. potentially the Nashville Predators. One other thing I want to talk to Freed you about when he's done breaking this trade is just the goalie market and how he expects it to shake out. Does Broboski go to Toronto?

Is there still a chance that Brobosky could go to Edmonton? I don't know. I heard Edmonton had interest in him, but I think it's going to be Toronto. It tells a lot of people that know it. This is a seminal moment for the show. I want to say I just saw an Elliot Friedman trade tweet go live while he was on the air on the show. There's a full circle moment.

Frege, we're going to let you go. You're obviously in the middle of a lot of stuff right now. Sorry, guys. All good. Appreciate you. Appreciate you. Appreciate the time. Very cool moment to be a part of this.

We will touch pace again soon. Enjoy the day, bud. Take care. To you, Fridge. Elliot Friedman, SportsNats, very own. Breaking a trade. mid-show, mid-call, no less. Where were you when the Maverick Bork trade

went down? We will all remember. Halting the call so he could take his phone to tweet out the trade, all right here on the Halford and Brough show on Sportsnet, 650. I was actually going to remind Fridge of a couple of years ago when you came on the show. Were you going to remind him that he was on the phone? Oh, okay. No, when he came on the show and we were like, what's cooking for the Canucks? And he kind of dropped Jake DeBrest's name. And I was like, anything else?

I felt really bad about that because he was like, I'm going to bring in this DeBrasse news for for Canucks fans. And like he didn't say, he didn't say specifically like this is going to happen. But the way he brought it up inferred that it was going to happen. And two years later and now I guess we expect Jake DeBress to be traded from what we've heard of the insiders. and this can always change. But what we've heard is that the most likely player

traded by the Canucks, if there's going to be a trade today, and that's a big if, is Jake DeBrasse, because I don't think the Canucks are going to be asking too much in return. And you could, I've just heard that.

Yeah. But, you know, two second round picks has been thrown out there. You know, I'd say if they could get a late first. but a lot of teams might look at Jake DeBress can be like, here's a guy that scores goals. His contract's not that bad.

And if Jake DeBress were to be in free agency today, could we get him signed to that number? Probably not. So I'm just trying to work through this here now. The Nashville Predators have acquired Ross Colton, Jack Drury, Nils Hoaglander, and Maverick Bork. They've added four forwards

since Chris McFarlane has come aboard as the new general manager. None of them, I would say, are like super high end, really like attention grabbing acquisitions, but you add four forwards in short order. Does something have to give here?

Not many teams add four forwards before the official start a free agency. It might not be at the top of the lineup, though. Whatever the case. You guys are so old, man. Such a weird group. I wonder if they might move off some of these guys. So,

Stampcoast is 36. I scored a lot of goals last season. Marsha's O'Reilly is 35. He could be traded. And then even Philip Forsberg, he's 31 years old now. Like those are, look, those are their top, those are their top guys.

The most obvious thing right now in making the acquisitions that they've made is that they're bringing in younger forwards and what would be the second part of that? is they're going to move out some of these older forwards. They just brought in a new general manager. Usually there's a regime change of some nature there. I wonder if the next shoe to drop is a Forsberg trade or a Stamcoast

trade or a Marciuso trade or moving somebody out of there. Well, O'Reilly makes sense to trade. O'Reilly trade. He's got no trade protection. He's got a year left before he's an unrestricted free agent. And I think even at the age of 35, he's a guy that teams would be interested. like would Montreal bring in Ryan O'Reilly just for a year? That's what like this is not rocket science we're putting together here.

I don't know if they would because I don't know if they want to waste assets on essentially rentals. But you acquire that many forwards in a short period of time. You've obviously, it's a domino effect. There's got to be other moves to come. You're not just going to collect 19 forwards and go to camp and be like, let's try and finish seventh in the west. I think there's got to be something else at play there. So again, if you missed it, Elliot Friedman live on our show during his hit, breaking news that Maverick Bork of the Dallas stars 20 goal score last year.

I believe he had 41 points overall. First to break it, by the way. Yeah, right here. He's on his way to Nashville. No word on the return yet. This is all happening as we speak on the Halford and Breff Show. Drop picks. Yes, thank you.

Okay, good. We will go to break. We still have a lot more to get to on the show because we are here until 10 a.m. That's right, a four-hour, Halford and Breff Show. Oh, the fourth hour will be dead silent while you guys watch the England game. That's true. It'll be an hour of dead air. Yeah.

But we will be on the air. Come on. A dog and I will be discussing video games, actually, for the entire hour. You can force us to stay for four hours, but we're only going to work three. On the other side, we're going to have Randy Jan to join us at 8. And we are going to take a brief break away from the hockey talk at 830. James Sharman, our footie insider from the Footy Prime podcast and Sportsnet is going to join us for some Canada soccer talk at 830. So Randipe at 830, that is on the other side of the Halford & Brough show on Sportsnet, 650.