CKSTAM

Our Tuesday regular, Patrick Johnston joined Matt and Blake. Talked about the loss last night. Realistically on this road trip the Canucks need to win 3 of 4. The question is, can you now pull it back together against the Isles. They really are on the edge right now. 27 games left to go and they need 35 or 36 points. Talked about the deployment of the top 9. Talked about the handling of Halak. He has had a really rough go. Surprised they didn’t try to do something more with Spencer Martin. 

Our Canucks Reporter and one half of the Rink Wide Show, Jeff Paterson joined us. Talked about the game vs New Jersey. So much focus on Halak today, he wasn’t good but his problems didn’t start until the 2nd period. Called out OEL for a dreadful blind pass up the middle. Talked about the handling of Halak. Thinks that you could have made a compelling case to start Demko back to back. There were better start options in other places. Talked about Höglander. Wonders if he could benefit from a few games in Abbotsford. 

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Russian hockey writer, Slava Malamud, joined Matt and Blake to talk about the situation in Ukraine. He doesn’t agree that Russian players should be suspended. Says that teams should be punished but not individual players. FIFA, who are in the pockets of Russians, had no choice. They could award RUS a world cup spot by forfeit IIHF, also in the pocket of Russia, had no choice. Thinks that Canadians in the KHL needs to be concerned about their financial wellbeing. The ruble is tanking. Talked about how Putin utilizes sport. Sports is an integral part of foreign policy. Sports were governed by the propaganda ministry. When they underperformed, that department had to answer for the struggles. People in Russia will be scratching their heads when there is no more international sport. They will wonder where their soccer team is. Talked about the freedom to speak freely of Russian athletes. Talked about Mogilny’s defection. His family was not hurt despite all the threats against him personally. Talked about Ovechkin and the statement he made. Slava says there is no regret on Ovi’s part about Putin’s actions. Talked about how it’s tough to sanction individual players who represent themselves or the corporate teams they play for. 

John Shannon, Co-Host of the Bob McCown Podcast. Started off by saying he thinks the Canucks are back in the playoff chase. When you go into MSG and beat the Rangers the way they did, that isn’t easy. Game vs the Devils isn’t easy but it will be easier. Thinks that Rutherford will be swayed by these recent results. Too much money at stake, now that they are at full arenas. Thinks that Halak will get moved out of town. Talked about Anaheim and their tactic of saying they will move UFA’s if not signed by deadline. Says Pat Verbeek has nothing to lose.

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Host of Donnie and Dhali, Rick Dhaliwal joined Matt and Blake in his regular Friday slot. Says the best players were the best players and that the CAL win streak started and ended with the Canucks. Says that not enough people talked about the Demko glove save that happened at 1-0. Everything that could have gone right, went right. Talked about EP40 and if he is ‘back’. He scored with authority last night. The Canucks need him to be doing that every single game. Talked about Horvat and the difference he makes when he is engaged in the game laying hits and scoring goals. Talked about trades. To trade a player of Miller’s magnitude would be upsetting to the dressing room. Let’s see how this road trip goes. When you are 3 points out of the wild card, you need to be patient. Would take a knock your socks off type of offer to move any Canucks right now. Talked about Luke Schenn. Can’t have enough guys like that on your team. They are taking lots of calls on a lot of players. It’s clear they are in listening mode right now. Conversations with agents happen everyday. It’s not a big deal when talking about contracts. Talked about college free agents. Rick ripped into Blake for correction him on pronunciation.

Jeff Paterson was back with the guys in his regular non-gameday spot. Talked about the big win against the Flames. Talked about feeling bad for Dan Vladar. Was nice to see them cash in on the powerplay. Talked about where the Canucks focus should be, playoffs or trade deadline. Talked about Dickinson coming out of the lineup with injury. JPat says let's be honest, they won’t miss him. The prize for getting into the playoffs is COL. They don’t want to see them in the playoffs. JPat wants the Canucks to be COL next year or the year after. You can talk about experience but you need to have a longer term vision.

The national sports editor of the Daily Hive, Rob Williams joined Matt and Blake to wrap up the week in social media for the Canucks. Says last night was special and the jerseys made it that much better. You had that 90’s on 90’s look on the ice. Talked about where to take the jerseys from here. Wonders what the record of the Canucks is with all these different jerseys on. Feels there is something to it all. Noted the irony of the owner getting in the way of the cash cow that would be more of a move to the flying skate. Talked about Chase Claypool being at the game. 

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Vanni Sartini, Whitecaps coach, joined Matt and Blake 2 days out from their season opener in Columbus. Talked about who is ready to go. Talked about if Ryan Gauld can bring more than he did last season. Talked about their goaltending situation. They have 100% confidence in Thomas Hasal. Talked about what he knows about the Crew. They watched their friendly games but imagine they are going with a certain structure from last year. Key players are the season. 4—2-3-1 is what they are expecting. Don’t want to give up easy ball in the midfield. They only way to eliminate good players is not giving them good chances. Talked about realistic expectations. They goal is to make it to the playoffs and build off last year. To show everyone that last year wasn’t a fluke. This leagues is so unpredictable and tight. 

Scott Rintoul, our Thursday regular and Vancouver Sportscaster joined Matt and Blake. Talked about the anniversary of the 02 Olympic Gold Medal. Told us what he was working his first story for Sports Page. Talked about Flames that we wish were still Canucks. Talked about Tyler Toffoli. Talked about the potential of a Grey Cup to Vancouver in 2024. Talked about the pricing of the event and it losing its way. Talked about the USFL draft. Talked about the Whitecaps. 

Double Olympic medalist, Meryeta O’Dine joined Matt and Blake, on her birthday! Talked about coming home with a couple medals around her neck. Says it was surreal to be home for the first time in 5 months. It’s a lot different than what you expect. Talked about what it was like to see friends and family in real time. Was so great to see all of her high school friends. Talked about how she got into snowboarding. Talked about what it was like to board in Prince George with all the different weather. Told the story about how she had to sneak into the family owned resort to get a pair of boots and a board. Says she was bad at it for almost two years. Talked about her journey through the sport and the teams she was on. Talked about competing against legends of the sport. Talked about Stoko. Talked about where the career goes from here. No plans to get a real job.

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Our NHL insider and co-host of the Ray and Dregs Podcast, Darren Dreger joined Matt and Blake in his regular Wednesday spot. Started off by talking about the potential of JT Miller to the Leafs. Dregs cautions that there isn’t a rush or anyone in the hockey ops department that is talking about it. They can’t stop the speculation but if someone lobs a significant package, of course they will consider it. Says the Canucks are amused and annoyed. Talked about the potential of Brock Boeser being on the move. Surrounds the negotiation of his next contract. Let’s see how it goes. Thinks that Allvin will want to get the lay of the land, sooner than later. The team has the hammer when it comes to Boeser rights. Talked about the potential of Tyler Myers being moved out of town. It’s a tough contract to move if you aren’t willing to take on salary. Dregs has not heard that name out there, not one time. Talked about Luke Schenn. He knows what his role is and willing to do more when he needs to do more. You need those glue guys around the organizations. This isn’t his first rodeo. He has had the ultimate success in the league. Not a name Dregs has heard in a trade sense but does know how highly the Canucks regard him. Talked about potential free agents in both Europe and College. 

Our Canucks reporter, Jeff Paterson joined us in his regular spot. Started off by answering our poll question. Not concerned where JT goes. It’s all about the return for this hockey club. Gets the anti-Leaf sentiment but if you like JT Miller, let him go to a good team. Any trade has to address the back-end. This could really take the next leap in reshaping the defence core. Talked about Boeser and how he feels about hearing his name in trade talks. Talked about the job that Boeser has done. There are stretches that you want to see more consistency in his game.

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