White Towel

By Postmedia

What's White Towel about?

Ed Willes, Ben Kuzma, Patrick Johnston, Harrison Mooney and all our writers bring you a Canucks podcast that talks about the news, rumours, theories and themes surrounding the team every week.

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White Towel episodes:

03.11.2020
Questions abound as Canucks, NHL address COVID-19
Ben Kuzma and Ed Willes talk about Brock Boeser’s return to the ice, Jake Virtanen’s changing role with the club, and how the spread of COVID 19 is impacting the hockey world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
03.05.2020
Everything on the line as Canucks falter in final stretch
Ed Willes joins Paul Chapman to talk about the final stretch of the Canucks season. They wanted meaningful games in March, they’ve got them, and depending on the results, Ed suggests nothing is off the table for GM Jim Benning...
02.26.2020
Resilient Canucks continue march to playoffs
Ed Willes and Patrick Johnston join Paul Chapman for the to talk about the team’s resiliency in coming back against Montreal, the genius of Quinn Hughes, the fabulous first impression of Tyler Toffoli (and what it will take to keep...
02.19.2020
Is Toffoli trade a wise move for the Canucks?
Ed Willes joins Paul Chapman to talk about the plight of the current Canucks. Is the trade for Tyler Toffoli a wise move for the franchise? Ed is not sour on the deal, but having spent a lot of time watching...
02.11.2020
Is Jacob Markstrom papering over the cracks?
Ed Willes and Patrick Johnston join Paul Chapman to talk about the Vancouver Canucks current run. They get into the depth of the Canucks and if the team can withstand significant injuries down the stretch. The trio also kick around the...
02.10.2020
Sedin Week starts now
In a very special episode of The White Towel podcast, Ed Willes and Ben Kuzma join Paul Chapman to talk all things Henrik and Daniel Sedin heading into the Vancouver Canucks honouring the twins during "Sedin Week". Learn more about your ad...
02.05.2020
Canucks decline on power play a real cause for concern
Ed Willes and Ben Kuzma join Paul Chapman to discuss the state of the Canucks as the team creeps up to the trade deadline. Was the loss against Boston a one-off or are there louder alarm bells sounding with the continued...
01.29.2020
Canucks now have longer highs and shorter lows
Patrick Johnston and Ben Kuzma join Paul Chapman to talk about the evolution of the Vancouver Canucks over the course of a season. Not simply a streaky team, the Canucks now have longer highs and shorter lows and the writers surmise this...
01.23.2020
Canucks enter All-Star weekend on a high note
Patrick Johnston and Ed Willes join Paul Chapman to talk about the Canucks All Stars. They also talk about some notable incidents in past All-Star Games, what adding women to the weekend mix means for hockey, and why we should just...
01.17.2020
How do the Canucks match up in the stacked Pacific Division?
In this week’s snow-delayed White Towel podcast, Ed Willes joins Paul Chapman to talk about the Canucks heading into the All-Star break. Among the topics discussed, how do the Canucks match up in the stacked Pacific Division? In a playoff...
01.09.2020
Reality check hits Canucks hard in loss to Tampa
On this week’s edition of the White Towel podcast, Ed Willes and Ben Kuzma join Paul Chapman to talk about the Vancouver Canucks' meltdown in Tampa that brought the team's seven-game winning streak to a screeching halt. How much do the Canucks rely...
12.18.2019
The Canucks aren't where they need to be. What’s the fix?
The Canucks’ current struggles are examined, and the pondering over the job security of general manager Jim Benning and coach Travis Green has begun. Who is in more peril? Ed also explains why he thinks the Canucks are stuck in...
12.11.2019
The Canucks' 'microcore' and the team's challenges going forward
In this week’s White Towel podcast, beat writer Ben Kuzma and columnist Ed Willes join Paul Chapman to discuss the Canucks “microcore” and the challenges they face going into the rest of the season. The group also looks at the...
12.04.2019
The Canucks' offensive burst and, of course, the inquest into hockey culture
In this week’s edition of the White Towel podcast Patrick Johnston and Ed Willes join Paul Chapman to talk about the burst of offence the Canucks have received this season. Our panel also takes a long look at the inquest...
11.20.2019
Canucks struggles and the potential for a goalie controversy
This week’s White Towel Podcast sees Ed Willes join Paul Chapman to talk about the recent Canucks struggles, the potential for a goalie controversy, the job security and possible moves for General Manager Jim Benning, and the furor caused by...
11.13.2019
On Quinn Hughes, the pressures facing the team and, of course, Don Cherry
The latest edition of the White Towel podcast is super-sized: Host Paul Chapman is joined by Canucks beat writers Patrick Johnston and Ben Kuzma plus columnist Ed Willes. The quartet take a look at Quinn Hughes’ ongoing growth, the pressures they’re...
11.06.2019
Reaching deep, loving Winnipeg and losing passports
This week both Canucks beat writers Patrick Johnston and Ben Kuzma join Paul Chapman to talk all things Canucks. • Subscribe to The White Towel podcast on Apple Podcasts to get all the Canucks news, insight and opinion each week from...
10.30.2019
What do we make of the Canucks' early success?
Ed Willes and Ben Kuzma join Paul Chapman to talk about the amazing offensive roll the Canucks are on. The writers get into what has made such a big difference on the team, who the difference makers have been and...
10.23.2019
Vancouver Canucks off to a fast start
Columnist Ed Willes joins Paul Chapman to dissect the fast start the Canucks have got off to. Ed surmises that it’s depth that has brought the Canucks to where they are, the additions of JT Miller and Tyler Myers, as...
10.16.2019
A promising homestand
On this week’s episode of the White Towel podcast, Paul Chapman and Patrick Johnston break down a promising homestand for the Vancouver Canucks. This season feels different from past starts. Is it? Plus a look at what J.T. Miller’s already brought to...
10.15.2019
Better late than never!
Unfortunately, posting of this podcast was delayed until after the Thanksgiving weekend, but the content is still gold! Join Paul Chapman and Patrick Johnston as they give their early season impressions on the Vancouver Canucks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...
10.01.2019
Is Quinn Hughes the real deal?
The return of Canucks hockey also means it’s the return of the White Towel podcast. Postmedia hockey writers Patrick Johnston and Ben Kuzma look at what the Canucks look like going into the 2019-20 NHL season: how will the new-look...
06.28.2019
Can Canucks sign more than Myers in free agency?
Patrick Johnston and Paul Chapman take a look back at the draft and then ahead to free agency. How did the Canucks do with their nine picks? Why was the reception for Vasili Podkolzin initially mixed? With reflection what do we make...
06.22.2019
Canucks make home run pick with Vasili Podkolzin
Patrick Johnston explains why Vancouver Canucks general manager Jim Benning made a home run pick in taking big Russian forward Vasili Podkolzin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
06.13.2019
Pratt ready to reprise bad guy role in new podcast
Paul Chapman is joined by longtime Vancouver broadcaster Dave Pratt in this special edition of the White Towel. Dave talks about his new podcast, The Prattcast, weighs in on the current plight of the Canucks, the NHL draft, and even bike lanes. He also...
06.11.2019
Is Jim Benning capable of making a big splash on draft day?
In the movie Draft Day, the Cleveland Browns' owner takes the GM to an amusement park and tells him he wants to make a "big splash". Is the same scenario in the offing for Jim Benning and the Canucks? Patrick Johnston and...
06.04.2019
Breaking down Canucks draft plans
Patrick Johnston and Ben Kuzma talk about whether the Canucks might stand pat at the draft or move up, who the Canucks are looking to pick at 10th overall, take stock of the Alex Edler situation, and list some valuable lessons...
05.28.2019
Bruins give Canucks roadmap for Stanley Cup success
Ed Willes and Paul Chapman look at which Stanley Cup finalist, the St. Louis Blues or the Boston Bruins, provide the most salient roadmap for the Vancouver Canucks to follow on the path to winning a Cup. Ed’s opinion on this...
05.17.2019
Which Canucks will be back next season?
Patrick Johnston and Ben Kuzma look at the list of free agents the Canucks have on their roster. Alex Edler’s signing (or not signing) will affect the rest of the roster; it all starts from there. Learn more about your ad choices....
05.14.2019
Analyzing Canucks draft plans
Patrick Johnston joins Paul Chapman to discuss the plan forward for the Canucks’ defence, plus some thoughts about what it is the Bruins have done right in rebuilding on the fly and how long it will be till the Canucks...
05.01.2019
Canucks small front office bucks trend among NHL elite
Ed Willes joins Paul Chapman to talk about all the chatter surrounding the Canucks front office on this week’s version of The White Towel podcast. Compared to most other teams, the Canucks appear to be missing people in key front-office positions. Ed talks...
04.25.2019
Familiar face could fill Canucks vacant president spot
In this week’s White Towel podcast Ed Willes joins Paul Chapman to talk about the exit of the Canadian teams in the Stanley Cup playoffs, and how the Canucks can look at the teams who have advanced in the playoffs...
04.16.2019
Canucks young core miles away from competing
Ed Willes joins Paul Chapman to talk about the NHL playoffs and how the Canucks' prospects compare to the other teams in the playoffs. Willes says the Canucks seem miles away from being able to get into the playoffs and compete...
04.11.2019
Canucks season showed shades of good, bad, ugly
In this week’s White Towel podcast Ed Willes joins Paul Chapman to put the whole Canucks season on a slab. From the disappointing draft lottery results to the priorities in free agency, Ed talks about the direction the team must go...
04.04.2019
Canucks fans desperate for positives as losing season wraps
After Quinn Hughes debut for the Vancouver Canucks, Ed Willes and Paul Chapman are wondering if the elite prospect can survive under the microscope. Talk turns to the impending draft lottery, the Canucks' offseason strategy, Jake Virtanen's future in Vancouver, and...
03.28.2019
Hughes brings good news to struggling Canucks
In this week’s White Towel podcast Ben Kuzma joins Paul Chapman to talk about the slimmest silver lining to another Canucks season, hopefully a look at last year’s top draft pick, Quinn Hughes. Ben talks about how important Hughes’ skill set...
03.20.2019
Case to release Jim Benning grows
Ed Willes joins Paul Chapman to talk about Canucks general manager Jim Benning's job security. Has Benning done enough to be given the mandate to go forward or are there some big names out there that may spur the team into...
03.19.2019
Answers to Canucks questions of the week
Patrick Johnston joins Paul Chapman to answer all your Canucks questions of the week in this edition of the White Towel podcast. Patrick delves into why the Canucks have followed the trend the last three seasons essentially nailing down a lottery...
03.15.2019
No guarantees for Benning beyond this season
This week's White Towel podcasts opens with talk of expectations squarely on the shoulders of injured rookie Quinn Hughes, potential for the Canucks to make moves at the NHL Entry Draft, Travis Green's pitch to be the bench boss going...
03.05.2019
Why people are worried about Brock Boeser
In this week’s White Towel podcast, Ed Willes joins Paul Chapman to delve into the debate over Brock Boeser being a great young player or merely a good piece. Other topics include: pressure put on young players, underperforming journeymen veterans, and...
02.26.2019
NHL game changed, but Erik Gudbranson couldn't change with it
Ed Willes joins Paul Chapman on the White Towel podcast to share his dissertation on the Vancouver Canucks performance at the NHL trade deadline. The guys try to figure out what went wrong for Erik Gudbranson in Vancouver and if he...
02.20.2019
The litany of Canucks injuries
Ed Willes joins Paul Chapman to discuss the litany of Canucks injuries. Is this a product of bad luck or are the Canucks doing something wrong to have so many players on the IR, with Jake Virtanen being the latest....
02.14.2019
Canucks struggle to solve goaltending problems
On the latest episode of the White Towel podcast, Paul Chapman and Patrick Chapman take a look at the Canucks’ goalie controversy this week and what it really means. They also get into the team’s defence, their planning and where the...
02.07.2019
What’s up, Utica?
On this episode of the White Towel podcast, Patrick Johnston is joined by the Utica Observer-Dispatch’s Ben Birnell to chat about the Utica Comets. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
02.05.2019
Goldobin on the clock with Canucks
Ed Willes joins Paul Chapman for the White Towel podcast where they delve into the Canucks playoff hunt and how much benefit it will bring the team in the long run. They also examine the case of Nikolay Goldobin,...
01.29.2019
NHL elite exert influence on Elias Pettersson at All-Star Game
Ed Willes and Paul Chapman talk about what the All-Star Game meant to Elias Pettersson and how the experience of a young player being included with the game’s greats is often overlooked. The podcast also covers what the trade market will...
01.22.2019
What makes Elias Pettersson different?
In this week’s White Towel Ed Willes joins Paul Chapman to talk about what makes Elias Pettersson different? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
01.15.2019
Where do Canucks stand in the West?
Ed Willes joins Paul Chapman for the latest edition of the White Towel Podcast. In the pod the boys get into where the Canucks really stand in the Western Conference. Is a playoff chase an essential part of their development? Ed also...
12.21.2018
I second that emotion
Harrison Mooney and Patrick Johnston are back for another episode of the White Towel podcast. Olli Juolevi's season is suddenly over. What's with that? The Canucks and the Lightning got emotional on Tuesday. What's with that? And might the Canucks trade a defenceman...
12.19.2018
Seasonal progress of the Vancouver Canucks
Paul Chapman is joined by Ed Willes to talk about the progress made by the Vancouver Canucks this season. After a game in which they physically answered the bell after an opponent had injured a teammate, they talk about the...

What's White Towel about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

White Towel episodes:

Questions abound as Canucks, NHL address COVID-19

Everything on the line as Canucks falter in final stretch

Resilient Canucks continue march to playoffs

Is Toffoli trade a wise move for the Canucks?

Is Jacob Markstrom papering over the cracks?

Sedin Week starts now

Canucks decline on power play a real cause for concern

Canucks now have longer highs and shorter lows

Canucks enter All-Star weekend on a high note

How do the Canucks match up in the stacked Pacific Division?

Reality check hits Canucks hard in loss to Tampa

The Canucks aren't where they need to be. What’s the fix?

The Canucks' 'microcore' and the team's challenges going forward

The Canucks' offensive burst and, of course, the inquest into hockey culture

Canucks struggles and the potential for a goalie controversy

On Quinn Hughes, the pressures facing the team and, of course, Don Cherry

Reaching deep, loving Winnipeg and losing passports

What do we make of the Canucks' early success?

Vancouver Canucks off to a fast start

A promising homestand

Better late than never!

Is Quinn Hughes the real deal?

Can Canucks sign more than Myers in free agency?

Canucks make home run pick with Vasili Podkolzin

Pratt ready to reprise bad guy role in new podcast

Is Jim Benning capable of making a big splash on draft day?

Breaking down Canucks draft plans

Bruins give Canucks roadmap for Stanley Cup success

Which Canucks will be back next season?

Analyzing Canucks draft plans

Canucks small front office bucks trend among NHL elite

Familiar face could fill Canucks vacant president spot

Canucks young core miles away from competing

Canucks season showed shades of good, bad, ugly

Canucks fans desperate for positives as losing season wraps

Hughes brings good news to struggling Canucks

Case to release Jim Benning grows

Answers to Canucks questions of the week

No guarantees for Benning beyond this season

Why people are worried about Brock Boeser

NHL game changed, but Erik Gudbranson couldn't change with it

The litany of Canucks injuries

Canucks struggle to solve goaltending problems

What’s up, Utica?

Goldobin on the clock with Canucks

NHL elite exert influence on Elias Pettersson at All-Star Game

What makes Elias Pettersson different?

Where do Canucks stand in the West?

I second that emotion

Seasonal progress of the Vancouver Canucks