Halford & Brough in the Morning - Which Canucks Players Could Become X-Factors Down The Stretch?

Episode Date: March 20, 2025

In hour one, Jason Brough and guest host Jamie Dodd look back at the previous day in sports (3:00), they talk the latest Gary Bettman interview (15:00) where he mentioned the current OT and playoff format will stay the same for the time being, despite not being loved by most fans, as well as this year's new de-centralized NHL Entry Draft, plus they preview tonight's massive Canucks road matchup at the St. Louis Blues and which 'Nucks players could be x-factors down the stretch. (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.

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There's nothing, that's not a problem. That's a great thing. Saxted into 650-650. Good morning. Welcome to Halford and Brough here on Sportsnet 650. Jamie Dodd filling in here for Halford for another couple of days. He'll be back next week.

Good morning, Brough. How are you, buddy? I'm doing great. Laddie is milking with some creative editing. That was actually it's kind of an homage to Halford because... Halford screwing something up? No, it's just the way you kind of battled right through it, like didn't acknowledge it. That's right. You just went right through. Just power through. Like, did he say sext? And then Halford, the difference with Halford is

Halford would have lied and said, I didn't say that. Even though we have an audio recording there. You would have said, I almost said it. I was like, you said it. I might have said it. Ladi did do some creative editing. There was like a pause between the sss. To enhance the fat, like the sound of it even more. So whatever, that's fine.

Once it's full disclosure. Oh, it's true. That's true. It's just, it's on the record now. Everyone's going to be like, oh, I heard the audio. Yeah. Couldn't possibly have been. Say it folks. Good morning, a dog. Good morning. Good morning, laddie. Begrudgingly.

Hello. Hello. You're just whoever's in this seat. You're terrorizing. It's my job, really. A mental health break next week. It's my job. You're in the hot seat. And that's what I'm going to do.

That's right. Halferd and Brough is brought to you by the DeLari family of Honda dealers. Experience the DeLari family of Honda dealers. Experience the DeLari difference today. Visit your nearest DeLari Honda dealer today. This hour is brought to you by North Star Metal Recycling, Vancouver's premier metal recycler. Pays the highest prices on scrap metal.

North Star Metal Recycling, they recycle, you get paid. 1170 Powell Street. We are coming to you live from the Kintex studio, Kintex footwear and orthotics working together with you and Steph what do we got today? It is a Canucks game day so we will chat with Jeremy Rutherford of course the Canucks are in St. Louis to take on the Blues big big game in the standings. Jeremy Rutherford covers the Blues for the Athletics so we'll get the lowdown from him on a Blues team that's playing really well right now playing some great hockey. And yeah, they've had a pretty soft

schedule to help them with that. But a lot of people now looking at them as the team to beat in the wild card race in the Western Conference. So we'll get the lowdown on the blues with Jeremy Rutherford, 730 James Sharman, of course, Sportsnet soccer contributor, contributor also part of the footy prime podcast. He'll join the show. No Halford but we're still doing some soccer talk because there's a big game today. Canada plays Mexico in a CONCACAF Nations League semi-final in LA. So we'll get the scoop on that from Charmin And the question I'm maybe most curious about with Sharman is,

are Canada the favorites? Should they be the favorites in a big game against Mexico? Because they've had a lot of success against Mexico recently. I still can't wrap my head around the fact that Canada is at the same level as Mexico and the United States, but especially Mexico, I think. Yes. Especially Mexico. Well yeah, because they're a soccer country.

They're a traditional soccer country and we're not. And there have just been so many trips down to Azteca where it's just like, ah, I hope we don't lose too badly and then, oh, we lost pretty badly. Right? We couldn't even do that. Yeah. And by the way, the other semi-final in the CONCACAF nations league is the USA versus Panama

So a potential to don't look ahead past Mexico, but potential for another Politically charged Canada USA showdown. Well, if the results go the right way, what about Panama US seriously? Yeah, right? Yeah There was a bit of stuff going on there. Yeah,, there was a piece up at Sportsnet that said- It probably isn't a country right now that doesn't have some sort of- Problem with the US? The most peaceful game would be Russia- Yes, exactly. Which that's why they're trying to organize it. Friends.

Ah, comrades, welcome. Get Belarus in there, Hungary, you know, get all those countries. There was a piece up at Sportsnet actually saying like, yeah, it's kind of awkward and Pochettino who obviously is not American but he's the American coach and so he's having to field questions about like what do you think about playing Panama and he's like I I've got to be honest I just want to beat Panama I don't have big strong feelings about this don't ask me about the Panama Canal do you think they should be able to keep it what do you think about tariffs so

at 730 we'll talk soccer with James Sharmin and at 8 o'clock Randy Jandek, color analyst for the Canucks here on Sportsnet 650, we'll look ahead to the Blues game and the rest of a pretty interesting road trip for the Canucks. This is game one of that road trip against the Blues tonight. And then of course at 8.30 we will do what we learned so start getting your submissions in now and I will say send Send them in to 650 650 which is the Dunbar lumber text line so 8 o'clock randy agenda 730 James Charman 7 o'clock Jeremy Rutherford, but of course first let's tell everyone what happened Hey, did you guys see the game last night? No. What happened? I missed all the action because I was. We know how busy your life can be.

What happened? You missed that? You missed that? What happened? What happened is brought to you by the BC Construction Safety Alliance, making safety simpler by giving construction companies the best in tools, resources, and safety training.

Visit bccsa.ca. No practice even for the Canucks yesterday they had a travel day to get to st. Louis and it was a very light schedule in the NHL only two games and neither of them even really provided scoreboard watching if you're a Canucks fan none of them relevant I know there's been some talk that oh could could the wild fall into that wild card one race but I'm not sure that's gonna happen and they took care of the Kraken anyways last night. So, just two games on the schedule. The Leafs beat the Avalanche 2-1 and the wild beat the Kraken

for nothing. So, I watched the Leafs Avalanche game and I have two takeaways. The first is that, uh, stay out of the way, Kelly Sutherland. Uh, can we play the, okay. So in case you missed it, it was one all between the abs and the Leafs and the avalanche were on the power play and the Leafs got a clear on the PK and it looked like the puck was just going to go down the ice and the abs were going to go back and get it and try again on the power play, except for the ref. He sets up the rich score! Stewart Ender, Steve Ritz!

That was maybe the biggest referee gaffe, non-decision related that I've ever seen in a game. It was a very friendly call too from Cuthbert because he said he was diving to get out of the way. I don't know if it was his intention. He just fell. He was diving. I think he was just falling and getting in the way as a result of falling, not heroically diving

to try to get out of the way. Can we, like, did he just fall? I mean, he was reacting to the puck though, wasn't he? Or did he just toe pick? I think he just toe picked. He just toe picked? Yeah, I think he just wiped out at the worst possible moment.

Anyway, Steven Lorenz, my favorite player, uh, picked it up and, and scored and two one Leafs and the Leafs went on to win the game. So look, I mean, I don't think the Avs are going to be like, this cost us the season, but pretty frustrating way to lose. My other takeaway from the game is that despite the scoreline, man, the Avs are good.

Yes. Like they came into that game really hot, playing well, winning a lot of games. And, you know, Joseph Wohl played really well. He ended up making 38 saves, um, only allowed one goal and the Leafs kind of, I don't want to say they like, the Leafs played okay. But I'm looking at this Aves team now and they've made some additions down the middle.

They bring in Brock Nelson, Charlie Coyle, and I think they might be my favorite to come out of the West. Yeah. I know Winnipeg's good. I know Dallas is good. I know Vegas is good. But just the way the Abs have looked in the last little while, hopefully for their sake they're not peeking too early.

But man, they play a style of game in terms of speed and creativity that I think every fan base would love it if their team played like that. But most teams just don't have the horses that Colorado has. And to your point about them possibly being your pick to come out of the West, I was thinking about this yesterday as well. I think they're going to be a very trendy, popular pick, not just to come out of the West. I was thinking about this yesterday as well. I think they're going to be a very trendy,

popular pick, not just to come out of the West, but to win the Stanley Cup considering how open everyone thinks the league is this year. And I don't say trendy to disparage it. I think they might be my pick to win the Stanley Cup the way they're playing. And they're really impressive. And you know, you mentioned the style they use.

And one of the things I think is fascinating about what the Avalanche did. First of all, having the guts to trade Miko Rantanen in season in a year where you're still looking at yourself as a Stanley Cup contender. That's really, really impressive. But what they did specifically in the trade, going and getting Natchez is basically doubled down on their greatest strength, doubled down on their

identity of speed. They went and got one of the fastest players in the league. You stick them next to McKinnon and all of a sudden when you put those guys out there and with Kale McCarr on the back end, one of the fastest defensemen in the league, you're able to play at a pace that maybe no other team in the league can match. Maybe the Oilers with McDavid on the ice, but that's about it. You can play faster than any other team in the league can match. You know, maybe the Oilers with McDavid on the ice, but that's about it. You can play faster than any other team in the league. I think there's something I like that philosophy of, okay, what do we do well and not saying, well, you know, we're, we got a lot of speed, but yeah, we better get some, you know, some responsible, tough players for the bottom of our line.

I was like, no, let's go get more fast guys. Let's just keep being awesome at the thing that makes us us. And I think that's really admirable and it's working great for them fast guys. Yeah. Let's just keep being awesome at the thing that makes us, us. And I think that's really admirable and it's working great for them right now. Yeah. Uh, so the other, the other game last night, Minnesota took care of Seattle for nothing. I think Minnesota had a few more injuries to

add to the pile. Jared Spurgeon, I think Rossi might've got hurt. Um, so the thing about the Avs, by the way, Gru Bauer started and I think he allowed three goals on his first eight shots or something like that. So I don't know how much longer Seattle Kraken fans are going to be able to enjoy Philip Gru Bauer. At some point they're going to

have to do something about that contract. The thing about the Avs though, you know, as much as they might be my pick, the fact that the first two rounds, they might have to go. Dallas, Winnipeg. Dallas, Winnipeg, and then maybe Vegas or Edmonton. You know, I mean, that is, that would be an unbelievably tough road to the finals.

And I think that's why when you hear what's going on down or what did happen down at the G the GM's meetings, there's a lot of people that are just like, this playoff format is unfair. Um, and you know, I think they were referencing the fact that they might have Dallas, Colorado in the first round, or maybe they were referencing the fact that they might have Dallas, Colorado in the first round. Or maybe they were referencing the fact that they could have, I suppose they could have Tampa Bay, Florida, or something like that in the first round. And people are like, this is ridiculous. But, Laddie, do we have Gary Bettman on the playoff format? I know we've got a few Gary Bettman clips, but this was kind of a classic Gary Bettman

on the playoff format. You guys know I'm pretty dug in on this. I like exactly what we have. And if you look at the races that we're having for the regular season, we, the playoffs have started already. We're in our play-in tournament and I think it's terrific. Best team to win the cup has got to get through the best teams.

And you know what? Having great matchups in the first round, that's terrific. There's nothing, that's not a problem. That's a great thing. So agree or disagree that having great matchups in the first round isn't so much a problem. It's a benefit. I think it's a benefit to the league.

It's, it isn't just a disingenuous way of framing it though. No one is complaining. Kerry Bettman being a lawyerly. Nobody's sitting here saying there's too many good matchups in the first round, but league has to do something about this. Like that's not what people are saying. People are saying teams like the Avalanche or the Florida Panthers or the Tampa Bay Lightning aren't getting enough of a reward for performing well in the regular season. And like ultimately you want the regular season to mean something. And I think what the NHL has done is the way their schedule, their standings

are set up, the way the playoff format is set up is the regular season means a lot right now to teams like the Canucks. You know what I mean? Where it's like, hey, you're fighting to get in, and there's four or five teams in both conferences who are in. So they've chosen to make the regular season

mean something for that chunk of teams. But right now, like if you're Colorado and Dallas, you're locked into playing each other basically. It would take something completely. Yeah. Wacky for you not to play each other. I guess the Wild are only a couple of points back of the abs, believe it or not.

There's, I don't know. Yeah. I know what you're saying. You know what I mean? Like you're almost locked in and same thing with the three Atlantic teams. Now there's some jockeying there to win the division, but I think ultimately what people want is just for the best teams to, now there's some jockeying there to win the division. But I think ultimately what people want is just

for the best teams to, for there to be incentive, for you to really excel in the regular season. And it feels like this playoff format removes that incentive to a degree. It's the two, three matchups that typically get painted as unfair, right? Yeah. Yeah.

Um, Gary Bettman also had some thoughts about the draft and the decentralized draft. And you just said that, it was just a genuous way of putting it, which Gary Bettman is so good at it. Yep. That's when the lawyer in him really comes out. He's like caveman lawyer. He's like, I'm confused by why nobody would want to see a great matchup in the first round. Don't we want great matchups? Yeah.

That wasn't what the question was. That's not the point. Torque call for a mistrial. So Gary Bettman also has a way of being passive aggressive, which is just, I mean, at this point, like I've watched Gary Bettman for so long that I almost like appreciate it. Yes. That he's still committed to the bit.

So long story short, the general managers wanted a decentralized draft. Long story short, the general managers wanted a decentralized draft. Maybe some of the teams wanted a decentralized draft because they thought they might save some money, I think. Yes. So.

Classic NHL. They went. We save a few pennies here. Yes. So they went to a decentralized draft and I think Gary Betman the whole time was like, this isn't a good idea. I don't agree with this.

So they've agreed to do that. Um, but now I think there's some regret from the general managers, but Gary Bettman is basically saying here, here was his, uh, his quote on the decentralized draft. This is what the clubs, I'm going to read it in kind of like a Gary Bettman way too. This is what the club said they wanted. A read it in kind of like a Gary Berman way too. Okay, all right.

This is what the clubs said they wanted. A number of them said, maybe we should change back. But I said, listen, we're going to go through this experience and if there's a surge of interest to go back, we'll put it back to the clubs again. We ended the old framework with a bang, doing it in the sphere in Las Vegas. And if the sense is we'd rather be together, you know, and he just went on to say like, um, this is

us executing the will of the clubs. And basically he's saying, I told you so. This is going to suck. And, uh, if you want to go back to the old way, then I guess we will, but maybe next time, just listen to Gary on this. Yeah, I said in our group chat, he sounds like, sometimes if I'm taking my daughter to the park, and I'm like, hey, put on a jacket. She's like, no, I don't need a jacket. I'm like,

you're going to be cold. She's like, no, I'll be fine. And then we get to the park and she's like, oh, I'm cold. I was like, what? I thought you'd be warm. I, you said you'd be warm enough. Now you need a jacket. Yeah. That's what Gary Batman sounds like. It's like, oh, interesting. You guys have some regrets about this. It also cracked me up.

It's almost like I've been leading this league for a long time and I know what I'm talking about or with you. So like, it's almost like I've been alive on this planet much longer than you. And I know when you need a jacket and when you don't need a jacket. Yeah, exactly.

It also cracked me up that the reason, one of the main reasons cited, at least in the piece I read about why NHL teams are having some regrets about the draft switch is that, so they're like, well, we got to spend all this money to go to this place and wouldn't it just be so much cheaper and easier if we just stayed in our building? But then they realized like, wait, wait, we have scouts stationed all around

North America and the world. We were paying for them to go to some other location, but we still have to pay for them to come here and put them up in hotels and do all that. And they're like, hold on a second. We're not saving that much money here. It's like, you guys didn't think this through at all. That you're just now figuring that out that you're not not saving that much money here. It's like, you guys didn't think this through at all. That you're just now figuring that out, that you're not actually saving that much money.

Yeah. What do you think of the current format of the draft? What do you think, not the format of the draft, what do you think about the viewer experience of the draft? So I think it's hard for me to judge fully because I'm extremely invested in the draft. And I'm not like a big prospect guy where I'm, you know, watching tape or anything.

But I find the draft exciting. I like seeing who teams pick. I like seeing the trades develop, all of that. So like I'm inherently going to like it because I'm a hardcore hockey person. I work in the sport. If you're a casual fan, I can understand not being very into it. Like I think probably a lot of people watch

it and say, you know, when is my team picking? I'll tune in a couple of picks before that. I'll see who they pick. I'll see him get interviewed and then I'll turn it off. What do you think? Like I'm a hardcore sports guy and I get bored. Yeah. Uh, halfway through the draft, the, the top 10 picks.

I'm interested to see who goes where. Um, you know, there's always a guy that's overlooked and he'll fall down the draft and you'll be like, Oh, I wonder where he's going to end up. But once he ends up in a spot, I'm kind of like, all right, so I do have some thoughts about this. I, I, I, I think the NHL draft is inherently tough to fix because it's unfairly compared to the NFL draft

or maybe even the NBA draft, but let's focus on the NFL draft, which has two major advantages in terms of fan interest. First, the fans know the players a lot better because of college football. Second, the players drafted are expected to contribute right away. They may not be starters, but there's no going

back to junior or going to college or going back to their club team in Sweden. Essentially in the NFL draft, you either make the team or you don't and you're gone. Yeah. So take the NFL draft this year. Um, right now, a lot of mock drafts have the Seahawks taking an offensive lineman in the first round. I think they picked 18th or something.

That's not two or three years from now that they're looking for that offensive lineman to contribute. That's like right now, and you better be good. So Seahawks fans are looking at this draft and other people around the league are looking at this draft and going like, God, I wonder if the Seahawks better get someone important here, right? Or maybe they're going to take a receiver because

they've just traded away DK Metcalf. Something like that. So how do you make the draft more interesting for the casual fan? Big trades obviously help, but the league can't plan for that or they can't count on it. I do think one key and this is for one key, and this is for the NHL and this is for the broadcasters, you got to keep things moving. Because once you get out of, let's say the top 10, unless it's your team making the pick, things can

really start to draft. It's like, I looked at the draft and I compared the NHL draft to the NFL draft, And I just randomly chose number 19. And it's with the 19th pick, the Vegas Golden Knights select Trevor Connolly from the Tri-City Storm of the USHL. Like even a hardcore hockey fan. You're not a big Trevor Connolly guy?

Would be like, I don't know who that is. How many USHL games do you watch a year, bro? Well, that's the thing, right? Like I watch more college football than I watch USHL and it's like, he's already committed to Providence college for next season and like, he's a winger, right? Okay.

Compare that to the 19th overall pick in the NFL draft last year. Jared verse went to the Rams and was a pro bowler in his first year. He might've been the NFL defensive last year, Jared Wurst went to the Rams and was a pro bowler in his first year. He might've been the NFL defensive rookie of the year. Um, so I think you got to keep things moving

for the viewers at home. I don't know about you, but I don't need to see every prospect interviewed after getting selected. It's not compelling TV and I don't need to hear from an 18 year old who's been coached to say nothing interesting. Like make sure you don't say anything interesting. All right, no problem.

I'm 18 and not a particularly interesting person. Um, I think you just got to ask yourself what really interests viewers at home, not the hardcore hockey prospect fans, but the casual viewers. And I think that's more discussion about the team as opposed to the pitch. Sure. Because what I also want to stay away from is the

human interest stuff, right? Which you see, especially in the NFL draft and the NBA draft coverage, right? Where it's like, here's the, here's the, the, the heartwarming or, you know, sad backstory of this player. And I like, maybe this makes me a bad person, but I just find that stuff so boring

Yeah, I don't care. It all runs together. I'm like, I don't care if there's a real stand What do you want to hear? I don't like I don't have a problem with a little bit of analysis of the player But then I agree but also the same it's like he's it like Trevor Connelly great skater a bit skinny And I'm sure he's gonna have to fill out so the team's gonna have to get him like into the gym and the center's like, okay. But I think this is another problem where it's like, what do you fill the time with that's going to actually appeal to more casual hockey fans?

I don't know if there's an easy answer. Like you're saying more general analysis of the team. Yeah, tough fix, that's why I say it's a tough fix. I agree with that. Now, did you have, like did you have a preference over the centralized or decentralized version? Cause I saw, I know one of the arguments made when they voted to go away from it was, oh, it should help the TV experience cause you'll be able to streamline things. But I

actually, I like the visual of all of the tables on the draft floor. All of the powerful people in the sport are there, are next to each other. It's distinct. It's something that the other drafts don't have. It gives you at least the illusion of like, oh, look, they're right next to each other. They can make a trade at any time. I like that element of it. And I think we're going to miss it going

away from it this year. I don't like the 30 people going up on the draft floor. No, that should be outlawed. That should be outlawed. And taking forever to make the pick and thanking the guys, you know, thanking the fans for organizing it. Shouting out their watch party. Some restaurant in Dallas or whatever.

Like I don't need that. I don't need the congratulations to the Stanley Cup winners from every team. I think, I think that's the type of stuff that's just unnecessary filler. And I think, I think that's the type of stuff that's just unnecessary filler. And I think it takes too much time. I think have everyone there, but you communicate your pick to Gary Bettman and he goes up and says,

and just no preamble with the 13th pick of the draft, whoever selects whoever. I, I hate all of the nonsense where there's every member of the front office up there and they go through this whole litany of stuff before they make the pick. It's just a lot of, for the broadcaster, I think it's a lot of treading water.

And maybe the broadcast just needs to be prepared for that and have something better to fill the time with. But I don't know, like the first round of the draft took like four hours last year, didn't it? Yes. I mean, that's way too long. It is way too long. It's like the Oscars, that's way too long. It is way too long. It's like the Oscars.

That's way too long, yeah. Like you had to get a speech limit up there or something. Yeah, there's gotta be, I know there is like a time thing, but it doesn't seem to be particularly well-observed. No thanking the watch party. No, none of that. Just stop, stop. Just get up there and make the pick.

You'd like to thank all our friends out at Iggy's tonight. All you're allowed to do is we select and then the player's name. That's it. You got four words. You got four words. Get up there, say it, get off the stage and move it along. CIBC Smart Everyday Banking helps you easily track your spending with confidence. Get $450 when you make the switch. Visit cibc.com slash smart. We've got an open segment next so we can dive into

some Canucks related topics and send your thoughts in as well if there's anything you want us to tackle about the Canucks. 650 650 is the Dumbar lumber text line. We will do that next here on Halford and Brough Sportsnet 650. Canucks talk with Jamie Dodd and Thomas Drance. We'll dive deep into all that's happening with the Vancouver Canucks. Listen 12 to 2 p.m. on Sportsnet 650 or wherever you get your podcasts. Alright, welcome back to Halford and Broughear Sportsnet 650. Jamie Dodd in for Halford.

I'm informed it is thrash Thursday here on the show. Getting the energy going. It's something we let the dogs do. So gracious of you guys. You guys have this thing. Have a little thing here that you guys do. That's nice. That's good.

Build their self-esteem a little bit. Have a little treat. You've earned it. They're like teenagers in their rooms. You can play this music as long as the door is closed. We're trying to play it on Thursdays. It's all right. I'm glad you went there with the teenagers in your room thinking out of another direction. We're trying to appeal to all demographics here. I know what you're about to say. Yes, because when you... Famously when you try to appeal to everyone, it works. I'm not doing

your laundry. You don't alienate anyone. All right, welcome back to Hal for the Brough here. Hal for the Brough brought to you by the DeLari family of Honda dealers. Experience the DeLari difference today. Visit your nearest DeLari Honda dealer today. This hour is brought to you by North Star Metal Recycling. Vancouver's premier metal recycler pays the highest prices on scrap metal. North Star Metal Recycling, they recycle, you get paid $11.70. Powell Street and of course $6. is the Dumbar Lumber text line

Metro Vancouver's trusted choice for contractors and rental warriors for over 50 years visit them at one of their three locations to serve you or online at Dumbar Lumber.com of course the Canucks play the Blues this afternoon in St. Louis I will talk to Jeremy Rutherford who covers the Blues this afternoon in St. Louis. I will talk to Jeremy Rutherford who covers the Blues about that at seven and ran deep about that game as well at eight. But we have an open segment here and you know we didn't really touch on the Canucks much in the first segment. We can get into it a little bit here and you know I was thinking yesterday on the show we talked a lot about Besser getting going against the Jets, Pedersen, look we don't have to

have the is he back debate here but hey played on a line with Besser that line was very successful and there's a sense that okay you desperately needed those guys going if you put them together with Hoaglander and they're able to at least be a legitimate top line that's a really big deal for the Canucks that's something they needed desperately needed down the stretch if they're going to make the playoffs. But I was also thinking about it. That's great.

They, that is a locked in thing you need a prerequisite to have a good finish to the season as those two guys going, but you're probably going to need a little bit more than that as well. You're probably going to need someone down the roster to step up and make some sort of impact for you down the stretch here, if you're going to be the team that claims this final wild card spot. So I was thinking about who are the candidates to be an X factor for the Canucks down the stretch.

That guy who's not one of the, you know, star players or top players that we're constantly talking about. The non-Peterson category. Exactly, non-Peterson category. Non-Peterson, non-Besser who can step up and be that extra push, that extra layer of moving the needle, making an impact, an X factor for

the team. And there's some names we can get into, but one that jumped to mind for me immediately is Dakota Joshua. And he has been, I think off the radar for large stretches of this season. Now, obviously I think we all understand why he hasn't made a big impact this season dealing with cancer in the summer.

No, I haven't heard anyone, you know, tearing into Dakota Joshua, quite obviously, because that would be insane to do. It's very understandable circumstances. But I do think in the course of that, we've kind of forgotten just how important he was to the team last year. Like he was a great guy. to do. It's very understandable circumstances. But I do think in the course of that, we've kind of forgotten just how important he was to the team last year. Like he was playing top six

minutes for them in the playoffs and doing a good job. And he was a huge part of the identity of this team. That the combination of his ability to score goals, his hands in tight and that, that physical edge and confidence and swagger he brought. Killing penalties too. Killing penalties. That was massive.

And so if you're looking for guys that, Hey man, if you can get a little bit more out of him down the stretch, it could be a big, big deal. And I think the other thing with Joshua for me, which is why he kind of goes to the top of my list of potential X-factors, you know, the production isn't there yet for him, but I think there are signs that he's at least getting closer to being an impact player.

Again, he's more involved physically and the most encouraging thing is he's actually getting some shots on net. It was a tough slog for him. In his first 34 games this year, he only had 18 shots on goal. That's like a shot every other game for a long, long stretch. There's, there's a few things that I think have a, have affected Dakota Joshua's season. I mean, obviously the cancer diagnosis, but you know how, okay, there's going to be some

Pedersen content here. Okay. But you know how, uh, Rick Taukett said that we're in catch up mode with, uh, Elias Pettersson because he didn't have the greatest off season. Don't you think that's the case with Joshua too? Absolutely. Here's a guy that has actually, he's a big dude and I think it's fair to say that at times, conditioning has been an issue. Well, imagine if you're a big guy like Dakota Joshua,

you get this diagnosis and I don't imagine he was at the gym every day. Nope. Or on the ice skating and all of a sudden you haven't had a training camp, you're probably a little bit out of shape. You got to work yourself back into shape. It's fair to think that he's been playing catch

up all season. We hear this all the time. Guys that miss training camp or have an off season rehab, often struggle for the entire season. Like it's not just a little bit and then you catch up because you, because, you know, even if you get into shape, all the other guys are in better shape. They're in, you know, game 42 shape of the NHL. And you're just like, I think I'm at game one.

Yeah, I've finally got to the beginning. Yeah. The other thing that I wonder about Dakota Joshua is how much has all the line juggling affected him because he had just such a stable, consistent role. He was on a line with Bluger and Garland and especially Garland and Garland has bumped into

the top six so many times. Like I couldn't even tell you who Dakota Joshua has played with the most this season. I assume it's still Garland cause they go back to that line once in a while, but definitely not as much as it was last season. There's just been no stability, no consistency for him. They were a locked in duo for the team, right?

And it actually, it started with Pugh'suter as their center, and then he got injured. And then it was Teddy Bluger for a long stretch. In the playoffs, it was Lindholm. And in, with every guy, the line worked. The line did really well. And if you go back to the off season, looking ahead to, okay, once they signed to Brusk and of course Miller was still here. The thought very much was we've got three duos forward.

We can build our lineup around. Yeah. Miller and Besser, Pedersen to Brusk and Joshua and Garland. was still here, the thought very much was we've got three duos at forward we can build our lineup around. Miller and Besser, Pedersen, Debrusk and Joshua and Garland. He was that level of importance to the team and as you said there's been a variety of reasons. I agree with you the fact that Garland has been needed up the lineup has probably not helped things but you know as I said 18 shots on goal in his first 34 games, has 14 in his last nine so not an outrageous He didn't play much against Winnipeg because he was on a fourth line Garland didn't play

So he actually went down to the fourth line and played with Nils Amon and Jonathan Leckar Which is a tough spot with Nils Amon as your center but it's he's basically back to that shot rate he had last year and If if that turns into actual production here and he does find some chemistry, maybe it's with Garland. If they, if that's the lineup configuration they go back to, if the coach thinks he's ready for that, you know, there's a reason they signed him to a big extension.

He's, he was a beast for this team. He was a difference maker. Like he can be a difference maker. He could in theory be a second liner. Yeah. Like if you're putting together, let's say Pedersen, Besser and Debrusk stick as a line. Well, it wasn't Debrusk, it was Hoeglender.

So let's say it was Pedersen, Besser and Hoeglender as a line and that works. Okay. And that continues to work. Who is your second line? Right now it's probably Pugh Souter, Jake Debrusque and Philip. Are you sure with it?

I guess. Yeah. I mean, Connor Garland, if he's healthy, if he's in the lineup. But don't you, wouldn't you in some ways, if you were talking, wouldn't you want to keep Garland for the third line? Yeah.

And then. So could you go like Pugh, Suter, Jake DeBrusque and put Leckermacky up there? And then you have Garland. Maybe. You reunite Garland and Joshua. I do want to talk about Leckermache a bit. Yeah.

Because as much as Dakota Joshua could be the X factor, so too could Leckermache. Not five on five, but on the power play. And I don't know if when Garland's going to be back. He, I guess he could play tonight in St. Louis, but I hope that they keep Leckermache on the first unit power play. For me, he looks so much more comfortable and is so much more of a threat out there than

Connor Garland. And people that listen to the show know I'm a huge Connor Garland fan. I love this guy at five on five. I think he's terrific on the power play. His shot is not a threat. He doesn't have a hard shot and you know, I, for whatever reason, it just doesn't work out there

for Garland on the power play. Lekker-Mackie, if you have his shot threat, and I just think his composure with the puck, he just looks so, not that Garland is not composed with the puck, but Lekker-Mackie looks comfortable out there and he is decisive. And that is really important on the power play. And if you've got the top of the umbrella with

Lekker-Mackie and Pedersen is feeling it and Quinn Hughes, uh, at the top, like I, I really like that. And I think if those guys, first of all, you've got the shooting threat of all three of those guys, different types of shots, but as long as Pedersen is willing to, and he seems to be more willing to shoot the puck and Lekar Mackie's willing

to shoot the puck and we all know Quinn Hughes is willing to shoot the puck. And then you've got Besser in the bumper spot, which I really like for him. And then who else? It's Nebraska's out there, right? Nebraska in front of the net who's got great hands. He's scored a ton of goals this year.

I really, oh, he's got terrific hands around the net. And I really liked that group. So for me, Lekker, Mackie on the power place. But the problem is like Lekker, Mackie at five on five, you can see sometimes that I don't want to say he doesn't belong out there, but he struggles to keep his head above water sometimes. He's going through the learning experience

at five on five, but the power play, now I know it's not, you know, in these final 15 games, it's not primarily about Lekermacky's development, it's about trying to win and trying to get into the playoffs, but I think you're able to kind of serve two masters at once here, because if Lekker Mackey is going to be a successful NHL player, not just successful, but an impact NHL player, the power play is going to be a huge part of it.

Like that's going to be a bread and butter thing for him. He has all of the tools, including an incredible shot to be a really successful power play guy. So while he's going through the process of figuring things out at five on five, which is fine. That's something young players have to do. There's nothing wrong with that. You have the ability to have them in the lineup, shelter him significantly at five on five, but give him a chance to do what he does best and gain some confidence and still make an impact for you, make a difference on the power play. I think that helps his development by getting him reps there and giving him a chance to build some confidence.

I think it gives you a better chance to win games if he's there as well. So those are a couple of potential X-Factors. If you've got any X-Factors that you wanna text into the show, Dunbar Lumber Text Line 650650. Metro Vancouver's trusted choice for contractors and rental warriors for over 50 years. Visit them at one of their three locations to serve you or online at dunbarlumber.com.

What else, you had a couple of discussion points that you wanted to get into. Yeah, well the other one I wanted to get into, and we've kind of talked about this from management's perspective and people have texted in, you know, what do you think management will do differently in the summer if the team either makes or misses the playoffs?

And my answer essentially is not much. I think they have identified what they need at the top of their lineup. We're going to go out and try to add impact forwards. And that's the case, whether we squeak in or whether we just miss. And I think that's totally fair, but I wanted to kind of turn it around and throw it out to you and throw it out to the listeners as well. How different are you going to view this team and this season depending on if they make or ultimately miss the playoffs? And as I was thinking about this I think for me a lot depends on

what they do in round one because I get it okay you you hold off the other teams and you win the race for the final wild card spot. Yes, that's an achievement, but it's hard to feel good about an uncompetitive four or five game loss in round one. Like that, that's, that's not anything you're going to hang your hat on over the summer. If you are outclassed in the first round, when

you ultimately get there. Now a competitive result in the first round, even if it's a loss, I think that's different. I think then you can say like, hey, we got in and we gave a good showing for ourselves in the first round. I have time for the argument that, you know, it's important for this team to show some resiliency

in the face of all of the weird and unfortunate stuff that's happened for them this year, show some resiliency, secure a playoff spot that that can be important for the morale of the group going forward. But as much as I have time for that, I also kind of thought we were past that type of conversation with this team.

Like I thought last season was supposed to be about showing us that like, hey, we have that winning mentality. We've established that winning culture. We're not this fragile team that like, Hey, we have that winning mentality. We've established that winning culture. We're not this fragile team that's desperate for squeaked into the playoffs. So, but that horse left the bar in a lot, a long time ago. It's hard, but you know, if, if they couldn't carry the good vibes of last season over to this year, it's hard for me to really buy in that squeaking into the playoffs is going to give them something to hold onto next year.

You know what I mean? Like they haven't shown that they can carry that type of achievement between seasons yet. So it's obviously you would prefer that the players don't end the season massively disappointed having missed out. I get that, but I'm also not sure if it's going to tell us anything about the character or the

makeup of this group, if they do end up making it. Doesn't it all just come back to, a lot of it come back to one guy and see how he responds? Patterson or Hughes. Patterson. Yeah. I know how Hughes is going to respond. Well, no, because Hughes. He's going to be good.

No, no, no. Okay. I thought you meant like respond after the fact. Oh, no, no, no. I'm just talking about down the stretch. Could it mean something to Hughes that they make the playoffs? You know what I mean? Like does that influence his ultimate decision?

And I think I'm kind of with you, like it depends how. Yeah. It depends how they get in, how I'm going to feel at the end of, of whenever, right? Let's say they go out in the first round. There's lots of's say they go out in the first round. There's lots of different ways to go out in the first round. If you push a team like Winnipeg in the first round, I'm going to feel better.

100%. If Pedersen plays well, I'm going to feel better. If they manage to squeak in because say, Lankton plays really well and Quinn Hughes plays really well, and then they get into the first round. Pedersen's a non-factor and the Jets dominate them. I'm going to feel a lot different. Now it's the same result, get into the playoffs

and lose to the Jets, but for me, two very different scenarios. So it's kind of like, you know, it's just like, what are your expectations for the team? Make the playoffs? And like, it's, it's way more complicated than that for me. Yes. And Quinn Hughes had that quote the other day where he was like, it was after the Utah game and

they asked, has that affected your belief or I don't know exactly what the question is like. No, it hasn't. Like, I think everyone should be excited right now. We're in the race. That game didn't go our way and we all know what could have been if we had won that right now. We're in the race, that game didn't go our way. And we all know what could have been if we had won

that game and put Utah in a good, in a bad spot and us in a much better spot, but it is what it is. And this is exciting. And then he said, we're going to find out a lot about our group. And I kind of agree, but I think a lot of people have said, we've already found out a lot about your group and it's not good.

There is still an opportunity to salvage something from this season, something positive. And for me, I know I sound obsessive about this, but the number one centre is. Pretty important. I don't expect him to get back to peak Pedersen or anything like that, but the number one centre is. Pretty important. Like I don't expect him to get back to peak Pedersen or anything like that, but I want him to be part of the fight.

And I think that's what was so disappointing about the playoffs last season. There were times when he just wasn't part of the fight and he was just kind of out there. And that to me is just not acceptable when you've committed that much to a franchise center. Ozzy Goose texts in, they had to have meaningful games down the stretch. All the guys saying trade everyone at the deadline and give up on the season. That's a loser mentality. Hughes

isn't about that. I mean, I agree that's not what Quinn Hughes wants and that's an important factor, but the idea that, oh, it was so important for them to have meaningful games down the stretch. That's what I'm saying. Aren't we past that? Shouldn't we be past that? Like meaningful games down the stretch is an important thing. That's for Montreal this year.

Yeah. A young team that has never had that, that is rebuilding, that is trying to take that next step. That's not the Canucks. They, they won the division last year and now we're saying, well, hey, they got meaningful games down the stretch this year Yeah, that era is over. These guys are too old to experience for that

We were supposed to have flushed that last season and that's why I can't buy into it purely as well Hey, they're playing meaningful games in March who cares this team is supposed to be better than that. I hope they are Shocking if they weren't in fact the meaningful game should be for playoffs seeding. Yes. Not whether or not you're getting into the playoffs. It should be, we're trying to win the division. Those are the meaningful games that they should be playing this year.

So I don't have a lot of time for that argument. Uh, here's a text in from TJ from Surrey and I think this is a good text. He said, I love Leckermacky's game, but man, does he put himself in positions to get rocked at a smaller game. Really needs to work on that not only for success, but his long-term longevity too. It's funny, I had a buddy text that exact same

sentiment to me after he got, I think Morrissey hit him in the Winnipeg game. Yeah. And it's kind of like, I think the broadcast, I think Shorty might've said, I don't know if Leckar Mackie expected that. And that's the point, right? That's the problem.

You better expect that because defensemen can skate a lot better in the NHL. And we all know Josh Morrissey is a great skater. He can move up the ice, hit a guy, and still get back to cover defensively. And Leckermackie needs to be aware of that, but that's also just, that's why I say at five on five, there are times when he's looking to

just kind of survive out there. For me, the X factor is Lekarmacky on the power play, not so much five on five, but the question for the coaching staff is, is he enough of a weapon on the power play that you keep him in the game, you keep him on the roster and play him, I don't know, eight minutes at five on five, like is, is, is it, is, is, is the juice worth the squeeze, you know, to keep him in there?

And I could see like what happens when Garland comes back? I think it's, Lienis Carlsen is out, I think. Right, but at five on five, who would you rather have out there? Lienis Carlsen or Jonathan Leckermacky? Probably Lienis Carlsen. Yeah. Given the size. I like Lienis Carlsen.

I actually don't know why he was in the AHL for so long. Why didn't they call him up? I think a lot of it is his skating. He's, and the question is, can he translate what he does in the AHL to the NHL without gaining a step at some point? I know he hasn't produced much. Like if you look at his numbers, it's kind of like, oh, well, that's why he's in the NHL.

But I think I just like him as a player. Whether something, he's solid. Yes. You know? That would be a good word. He's a reliable option. Yeah. OK, we got to take a break here.

We can dip back into these conversations later on in the show. Uh, who could be an X factor for the Canucks down the stretch and how will or won't making the playoffs change how you view this Canucks season text in six 50, six 50 to the Dunbar lumber text line. We'll take a break. Jeremy Rutherford covers the blues for the athletic. He'll join us next as the Canucks get set to take on the blues in St. Louis. That's next on how for the rough sports net six 50.