Matt and Blake are back after digesting the weekend's free agency news. The guys discuss the signings of Soucy, Cole and Blueger and the roster battles shaping up at Canucks training camp. They also take a look at the penchant for penalties from two of three newcomers, and the cap flexibility the club has left themselves going forward. Darren Dreger from the (Ray & Dregs Hockey Podcast) with his last hit of the season tells us that the Canucks said 'no' on a defenceman being pushed by an Eastern club, and informs that all is not as rosy as Patrik Allvin led us to believe Saturday with regards to Tanner Pearson's injured hand. Patrick Johnston addresses a number of Canucks issues including J.T. Miller staying and now having a no-move clause, the signings of free agents and whether there's any room left for upgrades. Presented by Applewood Auto Group.
A special NHL Free Agency episode on Canada Day features a full analysis of the moves the Canucks made -- and some they didn't make. Matt, Blake and Jeff Paterson from the Rink Wide: Vancouver podcast evaluate the signings of defencemen Carson Soucy, Ian Cole, Matt Irwin, centre Teddy Blueger and goaltender Zach Sawchenko. They kick around the signings elsewhere across the league including players such as Ryan O'Reilly, Luke Schenn that interested the Canucks, as well as players (such as Morgan Geekie) on the fingertips of Canucks' fans on social media. The guys have a big picture discussion on what brought the team to this Canada Day with limited cap space to fill several holes; debating not just what these additions mean for the Canucks' push to make the playoffs next season, but in the longer-term given that only one player signed a multi-year contract. Presented by Applewood Auto Group.
Jeff Paterson from the Rink Wide: Vancouver podcast sits in for Blake Price and discusses the Canucks free agency targets on defence and at third-line centre, as well as the decisions to not qualify defencemen Ethan Bear and Travis Dermott. The guys talk development camp, which starts Sunday, and this week's entry draft, as well as important long weekend games for the B.C. Lions and Whitecaps. Rick Dhaliwal stops by with more on free-agent defencemen Carson Soucy and Ian Cole, as well as tidbits on a potential Tyler Myers trade, and free-agent check-ins on J.T. Compher, Ryan O'Reilly, Nick Bjugstad and Teddy Blueger. Rick tells us that goalie David Rittich might well land with the Canucks, and why defenceman Cal Foote will not be joining his father Adam, a Canucks assistant, in Vancouver. Former Vancouver Canucks right-handed defenceman Frank Corrado provides his analysis of Canucks' RHD picks Tom Willander and Hunter Brzustewicaz, and his contract predictions for UFAs like Soucy. Presented by Applewood Auto Group.
The Canucks make six selections on Day 2 of the NHL Entry Draft, and we break them all down as well as grading the class. Matt and Blake have more on first-round pick Tom Willander, the pros and cons of the Canucks' first selection, and on the rebuffed opportunities to trade down. Plus, the guys discuss the rumours of a Tyler Myers trade to San Jose and how the Canucks will spend their free agent dollars. Draft insider Cam Robinson joins from Nashville with his scouting report on third-round pick Hunter Brzustewicz and the rest of Vancouver's draft class. And Aiden Celebrini, the Canucks' sixth-round pick and the son of former Canucks director of human performance Rick, stops by and beams about being drafted by his hometown team. Aiden reminisces about being around the Canucks as a kid and on the ice with guys like Dan Hamhuis and Zack Kassian. He also talks about his brother Macklin, the presumptive first-overall pick in next year's NHL draft, and his two youngest siblings, who are great athletes in their own right. Presented by Applewood Auto Group.
Matt and Blake discuss and dissect Tom Willander, the Canucks' choice at 11th overall in the NHL. From his love of the Canucks at an early age (Orca > Skate), to his meteoric rise up draft boards in the second half of this season, to his next step at Boston University where he'll learn the North American game and get a better opportunity to work on his strength and offensive game. Draft insider Cam Robinson stops by from Nashville with his evaluation of Willander as a player and on how the Canucks did value wise. The guys discuss whether there were trade down opportunities, and the top-10 surprises of Simashev & Danielson -- two other prospects the Canucks were reportedly eyeing. We also discuss the team passing on local product Zach Benson. Jeff Paterson from the Rink Wide: Vancouver podcast puts it all into context for us. The Canucks organizational needs now and in the future, where Willander fits, and what's left to do -- top-4 defenceman, third-line centre -- for this coming season. Plus, we go To The People and take listeners/follower reaction to the Canucks pick. Presented by Applewood Auto Group.
Big show in advance of the NHL draft and with Canucks GM Patrik Allvin holding a press conference from Nashville. Matt and Blake discuss Allvin comments, including the Canucks prioritizing upside and difference-makers over safer picks at #11, and whether that's fact or smoke. The guys also discuss the Friday deadline on qualifying defenceman Ethan Bear and whether he'll be traded or let go, plus Maxime Comtois, whom Anaheim is letting go and would qualify as the big winger on the Canucks' offseason wish list. Darren Dreger (Ray & Dregs Hockey Podcast) joins from Nashville with some information on the Canucks and Blackhawks talking trade prior to the latter's acquisition of Taylor Hall from Boston. Is there still a Conor Garland deal to be made with the Hawks? Would it involve picks #11 and #19, which Chicago owns. Also, Carolina's decision on Brett Pesce, especially when the Canes are in on Erik Karlsson. Could Pesce shake free and be available to the Canucks in a trade. Elite Prospects' Cam Robinson stops for a mock draft up to pick #11. Cam, Matt and Blake all make selections for Vancouver. Cam also reports on the smoke around Anaheim at second overall, and why he wouldn't take Brandon centre Nate Danielson at #11. Presented by Applewood Auto Group Follow us on social (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok & YouTube). Powered by Go Goat Sports
A full weekend of sports to recap with Matt and Blake plus you can really start to feel the NHL off season buzz in today’s show! Draft week talk and free agency throughout, including with Patrick Johnston, who goes into his guesses for the week to come, plus some info on the late Gino Odjick. Also, Rink Wide: Vancouver's Jeff Paterson stops by and gives his thoughts on the likelihood of the Canucks moving up or down at the draft, draft options at 11 and more. We wrap up the show with the old debate of “Best player available vs drafting for need” as the topic for the latest instalment of SvP. Presented by Applewood Auto Group
Sitting in for Matt is the co-host of the Rink Wide: Vancouver podcast, Jeff Paterson. Blake and Jeff get into the NHL's decision to hault all specialty jerseys in warmup, the B.C. Lions' big win over the Blue Bombers on Thursday to push their record to 3-0 and the Canucks pre-season schedule. Less than a week until the NHL Draft, our Canucks insider Rick Dhaliwal shares what he's hearing around the club in terms of who they like at pick eleven, the notion of trading up, the latest on Ethan Bear's qualifying offer and what potential free agents and trade options the Canucks could pursue.
Matt and Blake unpack all of Patrik Allvin's comments from Wednesday, including: the 11th overall pick, Elias Pettersson's contract, Brock Boeser's summer, Tyler Myers' standing and area in need of improvement, Ethan Bear's RFA status, the health of Tanner Pearson and Ilya Mikheyev and the work ahead this summer. Frank Corrado stops by with his thoughts on the Oliver Ekman-Larsson buyout, Boeser's summer training, Myers' play in his own zone, the merits of trading up from 11, and free-agent targets among defence. Rob Williams on trading up in the draft, the missing scoreboard at Rogers Arena, new names/faces for Canucks in-house content, and why Alex Mogilny wasn't a Hall-of-Fame snub in comparison to Pierre Turgeon.
Matt and Blake discuss the reported interest in third-line centre options (O'Reilly, McLeod, Rodrigues & others) for the Vancouver Canucks as well as trade targets on defence (Girard, Parayko, Pesce, Hanifin). They also discuss the Lions first-place showdown in Winnipeg Thursday, Canada at the Gold Cup and the Hockey Hall of Fame class of 2023. Darren Dreger (Ray & Dregs Hockey Podcast) stops by and reports the Canucks are looking for a big winger on top of the top-4 defenceman and third-line centre. Dregs discuss the trade targets on defence, specifically Pesce and Hanifin, as well as the possibility of a J.T. Miller trade and what's to become of Ethan Bear now that he's injured and due to miss time. Plus, we go To The People for their hot takes, tell me I'm wrong submissions and comments on our topics over the last week.