Matt and Blake discuss the what then Canucks need most this season when it comes to health, a good start, star power and better defensive play; the Canucks' power play potentially changing formation; the committee getting a look beside Quinn Hughes; Ian Cole and Filip Hronek together as a thing for the regular season; Phil Di Giuseppe getting some top-6 run at practice; and Jack Studnicka and Nils Åman on the wing of the 4th line. Other topics include the Lions' and Whitecaps' lineups for big games this week. Patrick Johnston joins from Canucks practice and tells us what is up with Ilya Mikheyev. He covers the top-4 defence, who will play with whom; and whether the 10-0 shellacking in the preseason opener at Calgary has any effect on the lineup they'll send to Edmonton tomorrow. Presented by Applewood Auto Group.
Game on! Fresh off the first game of the Canucks preseason, the guys take a look back at a 10-0 drubbing at the hands of Calgary. Rink Wide: Vancouver podcast co-host Jeff Paterson stops by with his takeaways from the night that was, including some spotlights on young players like Höglander, Podkolzin, Räty and McWard. Also, Matt and Blake are joined in studio by Daily Faceoff’s NHL Insider Frank Seravalli. He gives the latest from around the league, his projection for the Canucks’ season and on whether a Tyler Myers trade still may be on the table. Presented by Applewood Auto Group.
Matt and Blake discuss the opening of Canucks training camp, including whether Pettersson's contract situation matters to fans, where Nils Höglander and Vasily Podkolzin fit; whether Pettersson & Andrei Kuzmenko and J.T. Miller & Brock Boeser are locked-in duos; who plays with those duos; whether Noah Juulsen can be an opening night defenceman with Rick Tocchet preferring lefty-righty pairs. We hear from Höglander, Miller and Tocchet. Rink Wide: Vancouver co-host Jeff Paterson stops by with his assessment of what he's seen in Victoria. Jeff breaks down the opportunities provided to players like Höglander, Podkolzin, Juulsen and local favourite Arshdeep Bains. He talks about the abundance of coaches and goalies on the ice (8 each!), and discusses Pettersson's reluctance to talk about his unresolved contract. John Shannon joins and heartily endorses training camp travelling around B.C. as a marketing effort. He comments on Jim Rutherford's assertion that everything must go right to make the playoffs; Thatcher Demko's take that this season is "do or die" for the core group; and he evaluates the Tanner Pearson-Casey DeSmith trade. Plus, another edition of SvP, where Matt and Blake debate whether Höglander makes the opening night lineup. Presented by Applewood Auto Group.
Training camp begins! The Canucks finally hit the ice for the 2023 edition of the training camp and we are on the scene as Jeff Paterson joins the scrums and we hear from Elias Pettersson for the first time in a long time. Hear about EP40’s offseason training, his thoughts on the captaincy of Quinn Hughes, and his expectations for the season. New/returning Canucks broadcaster Dave Tomlinson stops by with his takes on the season to come and the thrill of returning to the Canucks booth. Plus, Rob Williams with his usual brand of sidebars on the Canucks, including the possibility of a Canucks goalie wearing number 1 again? Presented by Applewood Auto Group.
Matt and Blake talk about the Pearson-DeSmith trade and everything it entails for the salary cap, backup goaltender, and young wingers Vasily Podkolzin and Nils Högalnder. We also hear from the Canucks' braintrust on the season ahead, what it will take to make the playoffs, whether Elias Pettersson can be re-signed in-season, status of a new practice facility and training camp in Victoria. Plus a Welcome Matt on Ray Ferraro joining the Canucks broadcast team. Frank Corrado joins to tell us about a Tocchet training camp from his experience in Pittsburgh, and about his ex-teammate Casey DeSmith. Frank evaluates the Pearson trade, gives his thoughts on Mike Babcock's resignation, and discusses what that means for other coaches who are waiting to get back to the NHL, like ex-Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville. Presented by Applewood Auto Group.
Matt and Blake discuss the report of the Canucks aggressively pursuing a trade in order to be cap-compliant for opening night. Do you trust Rutherdford/Allvin's cap management? Which players could possibly be moved out to create room? Will they submit a roster short of the 23-player limit? Other topics include the Canucks broadcast release and the hiring of Dave Tomlinson and Ray Ferraro as TV analysts; training camp storylines to watch for; the Caps big game Wednesday vs Houston and how they'll manage the lineup with a busy stretch of road games; and the Lions emerging from their all-time comeback victory over Ottawa, heading into Edmonton. Patrick Johnston joins to tell us about what he saw at the Jake Milford golf tournament that annually kicks off Canucks season. Patrick discusses Ilya Mikheyev, J.T. Miller, young players who could feature in the NHL this season, trade possibilities to get cap-compliant, and the new broadcast duo. Wally Buono joins to promote a Make-A-Wish Canada auction this week. The winning bidder gets to watch the Lions-Roughriders game in the stands with the former Lions coach/GM. Wally has never watched a game from the stands, only from the executive box and the sidelines, and tells us what this lucky winner has in store. Presented by Applewood Auto Group.
It was a clean sweep weekend for the BC sports teams, so no shortage of things to talk about on Monday’s show. Matt and Blake look back on a nice performance by the Canucks at the Young Stars Showcase in Penticton, plus, the C’s win the Northwest League title, the Lions win a comeback for the ages at BC Place, and the Whitecaps remain road warriors with a win in Toronto. Jeff Paterson from the Rink Wide: Vancouver podcast joins in to give his report card from the weekend games in Penticton, and picks a couple of players with a chance to make some NHL noise this season. JPat looks ahead to Canucks training camp starting later this week and discusses some of the top storylines to follow. Presented by Applewood Auto Group.
Live from Young Starts at Neighbourhood Brewing in Penticton, Matt and Blake discuss the Canucks prospect tournament and what to expect. The guys discuss Elias Pettersson's projected contract number, the B.C. Lions game on Saturday vs. Ottawa, the Blue Jays continued struggles down the stretch and a spicy quote from Whitecaps coach Vanni Sartini. Chris Faber from Canucks Conversation and Canucks Army previews Young Stars and highlights some of the top prospects in the organization. John Shannon gives us the lowdown on the Mike Babcock situation, the latest on the Canucks colour commentator gig on television and how the Canucks stack up in the West against the Calgary Flames. We also welcome Mike Coghill, the founder of Yellow Dog Brewing and Neighbourhood Brewing, our partners, to talk about the impact Young Stars has on the community of Penticton and the local breweries. We wrap up the show with an SvP debate on if Elias Pettersson will want to leave the Canucks if they fail to make the playoffs yet again. Presented by Applewood Auto Group.
Matt and Blake discuss the comments of Elias Pettersson's agent saying they're going to wait until the end of the year before considering an extension, as well as the possibility of a Tyler Myers trade tomorrow after his bonus is paid out. The guys discuss Bob McKenzie's draft list with another Vancouver prospect ranked #1; Olli Juolevi on a PTO in Arizona, and the NHLPA looking into the cellphone matter with Mike Babcock and Columbus Blue Jackets players. Other topics include the Lions game Saturday and the stakes in the CFL West over the final third of the season; the Whitecaps signing another Canadian international; and the Vancouver Canadians splitting in Everett and coming home to hopefully win another Northwest League pennant. Rob Williams stops by to discuss Pettersson's future, Quinn Hughes' captaincy (and Glory Juice recipe), his pick to shine at this weekend's Young Stars tournament, and digital ads on rinkboards, which the NHL is defending in the most NHL way ever. Rick Campbell tells us how the Lions spent their bye week, what his self-scout turned up in terms of improvement for the final 6 games, the improving health of Bo Lokombo and his BC running mate Ben Hladik, and the eye he is keeping on Nathan Rourke down south with the NFL's Jaguars. Presented by Applewood Auto Group.
Matt and Blake talk about the Canucks' Young Stars roster, which is deeper and stronger than most years, including 4 players who have made their NHL debut. They discuss the path forward for Akito Hirose, Cole McWard, Aidan McDonough and Aatu Räty, as well as the rosters being sent by the Oilers, Flames and Jets. Other topics include the unknown health status of Ilya Mikheyev; the eventful start of the KHL year for Vitaly Kravtsov, who remains Canucks property; the Lions' injury situation heading into Saturday's home game against Ottawa; the Caps set to sell a striker; and the Vancouver Canadians win in Game 1 of the Northwest League championship series. Frank Corrado stops by with his experiences of playing for Mike Babcock, his thoughts on Quinn Hughes being named Canucks captain, and his memories of playing in the Young Stars tournament. Jeff Paterson of the Rink Wide: Vancouver podcast stops by with his thoughts on the Young Stars roster, how Brock Boeser looked in speed drills this week, the arrival of Ian Cole and his forecast for Hirose this season. Presented by Applewood Auto Group.