Take me through cuts and which players you'll be focusing on tonight and Saturday in the final two tuneups.

Yeah, I think all eyes are on Jonathan Lekha Maki as we get into the, the final two games.

We'll s- we'll see if he suits up for, for both of them.

Um, but this is a guy who I wonder, you know, thinking back to those comments from, from Ryan Johnson talking about not wanting to yo-yo players, um, you know, the reports from Penticton, Lekha Maki didn't necessarily stand out.

Uh, the first preseason game didn't really notice him.

He got a couple of second assists.

Um, but that was really the work of, uh, of Coots and, and Baines on, on those goals.

Is this the gr- is this the best example of, of good connection meaning something here in this training camp?

Take me through cuts and which players you'll be focusing on tonight and Saturday in the final two tuneups.

Yeah, I think all eyes are on Jonathan Lehtoranta as we get into the, the final two games.

We'll s- we'll see if he suits up for, for both of them.

Um, but this is a guy who I wonder, you know, thinking back to those comments from, from Ryan Johnson talking about not wanting to yo-yo players, um, you know, the reports from Penticton, Lehtoranta didn't necessarily stand out.

Uh, the first preseason game, didn't really notice him.

He got a couple of second assists, um, but that was really the work of, uh, of Coots and, and Bains on, on those goals.

Um, I think he needs to show something here.

Uh, we talked about how brilliant you looked yesterday, and could look even more brilliant if he breaks camp.

[laughs]

Well, [laughs] well, let me say this.

Look, so much of the drama was lit by Jim Rutherford, right? Like, a- and, and the coaching staff, right? They'd be asked about Elias Pettersson.

They would, um, they would constantly criticize him publicly.

Uh, I think they had a right to maybe be upset with, with his play and his preparation, but they probably didn't do themselves any favors by lighting him up in, uh, publicly as well.

Uh, they constantly kept talking about JT Miller even months and years after he'd been let go.

Uh, he kept being brought up all the time.

Is that sort of, uh, is that a scenario you could see? Is that sort of the big worry here, that minus Demko they're just left vulnerable at the most important position with the group of skaters that, as we know, are not exactly gonna blow many teams' doors off this year?

Um, look, Canucks fans are saying w- we dodged a bullet here, and holy cow, does that trade from December look a whole lot better given what Minnesota's staring down the barrel of.

[sighs] You know what, guys? In some ways I've, [sighs] I've thought about this f- you know, even, even when the trade happened.

I think in, in some respects, Quinn Hughes did the Canucks a favor by making it kinda clear that he wasn't gonna be resigning a- and, and making it clear as early as he did.

The, I mean, the worst-case scenario is like, what is, what do they say? It's the hope that kills you? Like, like, w- what if we went through that this summer where it was like, "Okay, we're gonna rebuild, but we've got Quinn, so how bad are we actually gonna be able to be?" Um, and, and sort of have this bit of a, a, a dance all summer.

The fact they were able to get it done early, in a lot of respects I think, I, I think that, that obviously it kicked off the rebuild, and I think that that's what they, they needed.

Um, obviously we gotta make, you know, the, if they botch the trade, that's not a win.

Um, you know, they need these, these pieces coming back to, to be, uh, important members of the team, and we'll see, uh, how they develop.

A lot of dough

What can you tell us?

Yeah.

Um, well, yeah, this is, this is one thing I'm, I, I'm, you know, I'm, I'm forever interested in, in this type of thing and, and I remember writing about, like, what watch parties would look like for the Canucks the next time they made the playoffs, like, years and years ago, like when we were through the, the Benning non-rebuild, right? And I remember w- asking that question because we began, that's when we began to see, like, uh, Maple Leaf Square in Toronto and we, and we saw the Moss Pit in Edmonton, and just kinda like virtually every team in, around the league would have these awesome outdoor watch parties, typically right outside of their, their home arena, and, and they look great on, on, uh, on television.

And they, and then these began, right? And that's basically commonplace now.

And of course, the Canucks finally make the playoffs, first time in nine years.

The city's so excited to see the team play playoff hockey again, and the playoffs began with no outdoor watch parties.

There was nothing for the series against Nashville.

... because it was such a sad, pathetic, itty bitty park party.

Mm-hmm

...

when he was not appearing in playoff games, that he was not gonna be sticking around there for another year.

And, and it just made so much sense for Vancouver.

Um, and then when you hear, we heard him speak after the season talking openly about how he would welcome a, a, a trade to Vancouver, I mean, it just seemed like a, a slam dunk, uh, for everyone involved.

It was just the qu- the only question was, were the Canucks gonna get an asset? I know that there were suggestions that maybe they'd have to give up an asset and, and it falls in the middle, right? They get him for free.

I think it's a, I think it's a great move.

Yes

Those two guys just really do feel like they are in lockstep.

Yeah.

I mean, I wasn't on the media.

I was in Vancouver, but not on the media scene when they were around as players.

But I, I mean, I remember, uh, following along where wasn't it the captain skates where Manny Malhotra was, got the whiteboard out, like when he first joined the team? Um, like he screamed that he was gonna be a, a future coach, right? Like that just is, that was like not surprising, um, at all.

And, and, uh, and yeah, I, I just, I, I, it, it's, it's, it's really cool I think the fact that they've got, we've got all these former Canucks players here.

There, there is, there's this part in the back of my mind with all of these hires where like the vibes are high and everything, and I've sorta got this voice in the back of my mind though, where I'm like, "Ooh, some of this reminds me a little bit of the, of the Trevor Linden president experience." I know it's different.

... and, and Daniel and Henrik to go and get him, uh, some faster players? Or was that just Manny answering a question honestly?

[laughs]

... uh, what they're doing in practice.

So he was, I think, always destined to, to be a coach.

Uh, he's paid his dues.

He had, uh, a couple years as a head coach in the AHL.

He was an assistant coach in Toronto and in Vancouver, um, totaling seven years.

Um, and I think this is a guy that, that players are gonna, I think, I think players are gonna respect him and, and, um, and have faith in him just based on, um, you know, the fact that I think he's gonna be a good teacher.

Yeah

Explain.

Yeah.

Trevor also has an article up right now, uh, on Daily Hive that he, he published yesterday just looking at guys like, guys like Darnell Nurse, and he's got a whole list of, of potential salary cap dumps, uh, that the Canucks, uh, you know, could be interested in, and I think that makes a ton of sense for where they are right now.

Um, and the guy that's number one on my list is Brendan Gallagher.

Um, you know-Watching the Stanley Cup playoffs, watching the Habs run.

Gallagher's been largely absent for this, for this run.

He's appeared in three games, playing, like, six, seven minutes in those three games.

It does.

Explain.

Yeah, Trevor also has an article up right now, uh, on Daily Hive that he, he published yesterday just looking at guys like, guys like Darnell Nurse, and he's got a whole list of, of potential salary cap dumps, uh, that the Canucks, uh, you know, could be interested in, and I think that makes a ton of sense for where they are right now.

Um, and the guy that's number one on my list is Brendan Gallagher.

Um, you know, watching the Stanley Cup playoffs, watching the Habs run, Gallagher's been largely absent for this, for this run.

He's appeared in three games, playing, like, six, seven minutes in those three games.

He did score a goal.

Um, but he hasn't been able to get into the lineup since the first round.

It does.

Yeah

... and sort of, uh, repair things.

Um, you know, if you didn't have a good summer after the debacle of the year where they traded JT Miller and they harped on him for, for his off-ice, uh, preparation, what makes us think that it's gonna be any different this season? The only point of pause for me is, is it good asset management to trade him now when his value's at an all-time low? It could go lower, right? Like, he could come back and, and just sort of solidify that he's just not that guy anymore.

But I just wonder, like, what if the vibes are just a little different and what if just, it just, he looks a little better and has a, a, a better season? Could you maybe do it? I, I think you, you run the risk of, of having him in your dressing room and, and not being able to have a clean slate for your culture and your room, but you do also run that risk of trading a guy when his value is low and you maybe could get a little bit more if you're a little bit more patient.

To me, that is the biggest red flag of all the red flags surrounding this saga.

I did think what the Sedins said, um, I think it was Daniel, what he said about, about Elias was telling.

Like, when you're asked about, when you're asked about, uh, Pettersson and your f- you know, you quickly pivot to preparation, right? And saying that this...

And, and relating it to your experience as Canucks, um, to me that was a sign that they don't have much sympathy for, for Elias.

What do you think?

Yeah.

Seems to make sense.

I think the one that was talked about the most is LA with Kopitar retiring, and maybe they're a little bit desperate to, to find a fit there.

Um, you know, m- I kinda see that more than, I don't know, do you want Elias on a, on a young team? I, I think the, the spot for him, maybe.

I mean, y- the spot for him is, is being on a team where he is definitely not the number one center and he can just slide into the number two center, uh, give you good two-way play, give you, you know, you know, put up a few more points than he did in Vancouver.

Um, yeah, I could see, I could see that.

To me, that is the biggest red flag of all the red flags surrounding this saga.

What did you walk, uh, out of the arena thinking about, Rob? What struck you?

Yeah, a few things.

I mean, I think the...

Look, the Sedins and Ryan Johnson were always gonna hit the right notes in terms of culture, in terms of, um, class, and I think that they ooze that, right?Um, you know, as Blake was saying, you know, proof's in the pudding though, right? Like, we gotta see what they're gonna do.

They're, they didn't have a, you know, they didn't say, "Hey, we're gonna, we're gonna can these guys in scouting, and we're gonna get rid of these assistant general managers, and we're gonna find a new co-" They didn't come in saying all that.

But of course, there's gotta be some changes, uh, made.

So do they know the changes to make remains to be seen.

Rob, the umbrella question from me, what did you make of the talk from the stage on rebuild today?

What did you walk, uh, out of the arena thinking about, Rob? What struck you?

Yeah, a few things.

I mean, I think the ...

Look, the Sedins and Ryan Johnson were always gonna hit the right notes in terms of culture, in terms of, um, class, and I think that they ooze that, right? Um, you know, as Blake was saying, you know, proof's in the pudding, though, right? Like, we gotta see what they're gonna do.

They're, they didn't have a, you know, they didn't say, "Hey, we're gonna, we're gonna can these guys in scouting, and we're gonna get rid of these assistant general managers, and we're gonna find a new co-" They didn't come in saying all that.

But of course, there's gotta be some changes, uh, made, so do they know the changes to make remains to be seen.

Um, but this is always gonna be a PR win on day one because, um, those are, uh, classy individuals, and they're people that you, you know they care.

Rob, the umbrella question from me, what did you make of the talk from the stage on rebuild today?

But what did you make of his kind of first go-around with the Vancouver Canucks?

Yeah, obviously put into a really tough, tough position for, you know, for any player, young player or old player playing on the Canucks.

That...

I think there were some growing pains, especially early on.

I think we saw some flashes of brilliance from him as well.

The talent is obvious.

He had 12 points in 45 games, was a minus 24.

But what's the latest on the GM search there?

I mean, it doesn't sound like he's their first choice, but give me the case for Ryan Johnson.

I mean, everyone you talk to seems to say, to speak glowingly about him, uh, seems like a smart guy.

Um, But at the same time, I'm like, well, what has he ever done, right? And it's, again, it's hard to evaluate a guy that hasn't been in the top chair.

I guess he, like how much credit do you give the GM of the AHL team? Ultimately, many of those players are given to him from the NHL club in other trades and draft picks and whatnot.

So I don't know that I really hold that in super, super high regard.

I mean, it's a nice to have.

But otherwise, he's learned under one of the most dysfunctional management groups of the last decade, right? So...

How do you feel about the process here, Rob, with Rutherford effectively hiring his own successor, or at least consulting on the hire with Francesco of his successor and the revelation yesterday from Elliott Friedman that there are multiple lists, that Rutherford has his own list, Francesco has his own list, and there might be a third list as well?

I mean, it doesn't sound like he's their first choice, but give me the case for Ryan Johnson.

I mean, everyone you talk to seems to say, to speak glowingly about him, uh, seems like a smart guy.

Um, but at the same time, I'm like, well, what has he ever done? Right.

And it's like, again, it's hard to evaluate a guy that hasn't been in the top and the top chair.

Um, I guess he like, how much credit do you give the, the GM of the AHL team? Like, ultimately many of those players are given to him from uh from the nhl club in other trades and draft picks and whatnot so i don't know that i really hold that in like high super super high regard i mean it's a nice to have um but otherwise he's learned under one of the most dysfunctional management groups of the last decade right so I guess in that respect, I don't see what's on the resume that really blows me away about Rian Johnson other than the anecdotal stuff where people...

seem to think he's a really bright guy and obviously had a long playing career and has at least paid his dues.

I like somebody like that more than someone that's just going to, you know, I know the Toronto Matt Sundin talk, that strikes me as kind of another Trevor Linden thing where you get somebody that's completely out of the game, hasn't worked in management anywhere, and then all of a sudden you put them in the top chair.

How do you feel about the process here, Rob, with Rutherford effectively hiring his own successor, or at least consulting on the hire with Francesco of his successor and the revelation yesterday from Elliott Friedman that there are multiple lists, that Rutherford has his own list, Francesco has his own list, and there might be a third list as well?

Was I mistaken, or do I read you correctly?

I love a rumor.

I love a scuttlebutt.

I love even more.

I love a report.

Outrageousness.

About a team potentially coming to Vancouver, like us getting more major pro teams.

Sorry, Rob, go ahead on your research.

Was I mistaken, or do I read you correctly?

I love a rumor.

I love a scuttlebutt.

I love even more.

I love a report.

Outrageousness.

About a team potentially coming to Vancouver.

Sorry, Rob, go ahead on your research.

They have just wholly disengaged because they don't believe in this owner whatsoever.

I do wonder also how much of this is kind of understanding or excusing some of the moves or some of what has gone on.

Thatcher Demko falling apart.

You can criticize him for extending him once the injury, once the popliteus and everything had become an issue.

But two years ago, Demko was like a main cog and a main reason why they had that wonderful season finishing first in the Pacific.

And he's just fallen apart.

Who could have necessarily foreseen that, right? Like that would have been a bold move to trade Thatcher Demko when he was being nominated for the Vezina.

What is the Petey question?

I

do wonder also how much of this is kind of understanding or excusing some of the, of the moves or, or some of what has gone on.

Yeah.

You know, Thatcher Demko falling apart, like you can criticize him for extending him, you know, once the injury, you know, once the popliteus and everything had become an issue.

But, you know, two years ago, Demko was like... a main cog and a main reason why they had that wonderful season finishing first in the Pacific.

And he's just fallen apart.

Who could have necessarily foreseen that, right? Like that would have been a bold move to trade Thatcher Demko when he was being nominated for the Vezina.

What is the PD question?

How would you describe it?

Yeah, guys, I mean, it's been a really difficult week.

I've kind of, I've had this pit in my stomach all week.

Uh, you know, we like reporting on the news.

Uh, I'm not too keen on being in the news.

Uh, I think I joked, I joked a few jokes I've had this week being like, I, now I know how PD feels.

It's like, I don't want to give everybody a headline.

It's only fair that we ask you the same question.

How would you describe it?

Yeah, guys, I mean, it's been a really difficult week.

I've kind of, I've had this pit in my stomach all week.

Uh, you know, we like reporting on the news.

Uh, I'm not too keen on being in the news.

Uh, I think I joked, I joked a few jokes I've had this week being like, I, now I know how PD feels.

It's like, I don't want to give everybody a headline.

It's only fair that we ask you the same question.

Ultimately, when push comes to shove, what did you make of just the messaging and ultimately the takeaway that has not been well received by the people that pay the freight?

Yeah, I've got it in front of me here.

I mean, like, it's just, I mean, look, it's marketing speak.

It's sales speak.

Yeah.

But I do think that there's an element here of talking to your paying customers like they're idiots.

And your best customers, right? Exactly, exactly.

Can Canucks culture truly reset with number 40 here, or does Elias Pettersson have to go for them to get to quote-unquote new culture?

Ultimately, when push comes to shove, what did you make of just the messaging and ultimately the takeaway that has not been well-received by the people that pay the freight?

Yeah, I've got it in front of me here.

I mean, like, it's just, I mean, look, it's marketing speak, it's sales speak.

But I do think that there's an element here of... talking to your paying customers like they're idiots.

And your best customers, right? Exactly.

Now we're building the next generation with 10 picks in the 2026 draft, two of which are in the first round.

This is a full rebuild.

Can Canucks culture truly reset with number 40 here? Or does Elias Pettersson have to go for them to get to quote unquote new culture?