miss any part of howford and bruv in the morning subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcast and don't miss an episode Back in on kadak central stan reach oh sati our shop Cut central is for enzyme Pacific Vancouver's premier Chrysler Dodge Ram and Jeep Superstore on 2nd Avenue between Canby and Maine or at enzyme Pacific Chrysler dot C a Some good texts coming in on the Dunbar lumber text message inbox, maybe some not living in reality, but I understand Those that are texting in and saying maybe there's a reason Demko wanted to go to Las Vegas Well Vegas, I mean I'm on and Suri mentioned that maybe it's Going to the granddaddy of all grandi at daddy dinners cuz peterson is supposed to take the team out for a big dinner after signing his big Contract I mean maybe I'm sure some of those things play a part and somebody else texted in and said he has family and so Cal like We know yeah, but usually a guy goes on a trip. It means he's getting closer to a return We also know the Canucks are heading out to Arizona for tomorrow. So I don't know how much They will be doing in Sin City after tonight's game. It's dad Richer and sati our Shaw Let's bring our next guest Sean gently of the athletic. You can check out one of his latest checking in on What the playoff matchups could be looking like in both conferences and You know when we look at this Sean and appreciate you joining us as as always right now Canucks are set to line up with the Nashville Predators if the playoffs were to start today and I feel like that is Somewhat of a daunting task, but at the same time, you know if you would ask me this Before Nashville skipped out on that you two concert. I probably been in like yeah, that's that's a great first round matchup for the Canucks So it's it's really all based in recency bias Oh, man, absolutely and then it's gonna change again in a couple weeks assuming that hurdle comes back and then that's gonna make the They make Vegas look fundamentally different too. So yeah stuff shifted a few times And I think we're gonna keep seeing that that's why it's the whole exercise of doing, you know What if the playoffs started today? What would the matchups be you know, it's something that we have to do It's something that's worse worth thinking about but also man a lot can happen in two weeks or two weeks Or there are two and a half weeks. I think that's kind of where we are right now. Yeah I mean things are shifting so quickly it seemed like, you know Vegas was going to be the eight seed Maybe the seven seed or one of two out guard teams Obviously now all of a sudden they've surged into a top three spot in the Pacific and don't seem like they're going to relinquish that But we'll see ultimately what happens here over the next seven eight games for these teams, but On a potential matchup with Nashville what I find fascinating about Nashville and yes the current form is great and everything But come the playoffs it usually comes down to the best players being your best players Obviously a lot of things have to happen but if your best players are your best players you have a chance and one thing Nashville does have is a is a high-end forward in Forsberg one of the best defenseman and you'll see and when he's going you see SARS one of the best goalies in the National Hockey League And that's what makes them to me such a potential interesting first round opponent because if those three guys play out their best Like they could steal a series. I Think that's what should make everybody a little nervous, right? And you know I mean, I know I'm talking to you guys, so we'll just use the Canucks as an example You know a huge thing that Vancouver would have gone into a matchup against other teams is that you know They have elite players at every position you look at you look at better sin you look at You look at cues and you look at Demco I mean if those guys are right there they can go up against any other teams big three and I think the predators now Especially with the way those you know with with Forsberg being healthy and kind of in top form. I think I think they They can go punch or punch for in some respect. Absolutely. So it's It's a it's an interesting variable for Nashville. I think high-end talents always kind of been It's always been the issue for for them But I mean they they have it if those guys are playing as well as they can You know, you mentioned Pedersen Hughes Demco all stars in their own right, but We have this conversation a lot of Vancouver about JT Miller recently You know, the fans were chanting his name in the building after after a big goal and you know We think back to last year and he wasn't exactly You know, he wasn't exactly winning a lot a lot of Canucks fans over but there he's sitting with 94 points this year Might get to 100 probably should get to 100 with the way that he scored Through 74 games so far like does the league view JT Miller as as a superstar And in the same light as as other guys we think of was as hundred-point scores Yeah, he's been so impressed at this season you look at the minutes that he's played to ask that a lot of him And he plays he plays some toughs, right? And I think that's Something he's playing well in them I think that's something that you know, maybe we haven't seen from him in the past where yeah the The minutes are hard, but the production is is a lead to so man. Absolutely. I think he's I think he's shown a lot and I think Miller is a guy in particular who You know, he's got that extra little bit of juice or swag or whatever he's got he's got something that he brings with a table that when stuff is going well You know, he is gonna connect with fan bases and people are gonna watch his game and like, you know maybe with it with the extra bit of You know, like attitude that he bit that he brings the table and connect with it So I'm not surprised to hear that and he's he's he's an interesting player and I think you know what we're seeing here is You know, I like what two years ago the big question was whether he was gonna You know be able to follow up did the year that he had that got on the contract It's well, we're we're not just seeing that he's been better like and I think a lot of that has to do with the impact that he's had You know defensively the way didn't see in the past and certainly plan planned tough minutes on a night-to-night base If you've been really really impressive and you got to treat him as a 1-8 at The Patterson at this point for sure. Yeah, absolutely And I mean and he plays that power game that you know should be obviously be a big factor come the postseason And you know, we talked about this before but there are no ten of centers that are over 6-1 over 200 pounds That can score and also hit and be physical like there aren't many guys like that in the National Hockey League So that's something that he can obviously maybe you don't have an edge in the postseason in terms of the other potential match up And I mean you're right so much so much can happen that as much as we're sitting here and talking about Vancouver facing one of the wildcard teams It's unlikely, but there is a world where Edmonton can still finish first in a division So we'll see what happens here before the season is over but it would either be a national or LA what do you make of LA as a first-round opponent because The 1-3-1 obviously it's tough to play against they ask them talent But I'm just I'm just not sold on their overall style of play. Where are you on LA? I'm with you man. I think you know, we've already talked about high-end talent You know a couple times is in the last few minutes that this isn't the knock Andre Copa tar or Philip the know or Kevin Fiella or Whatever, but when you take those guys and you come and you hold them up against other elite Western conference teams They're already kind of working out of a deficit, right? And I think you mix in the fact that The goaltending has been you know, inconsistent at certain points throughout the season, you know goaltending voodoo like everyone always says so who knows, but man I would feel whether I was Vancouver or whether I was Edmondson, whoever I feel a hundred times 100% better, you know going into a series against them versus versus the predators are certainly Vegas at this point because of that, you know, you just look at the top of the lineup, and I'm just not I'm not sure they have the the firepower to hang with With with the top three or four teams out west. It's it's like they're being coached to be the 2004 Minnesota wild Yeah, right and it's and you can see the logic too because you know, you're telling play the hand that you're dealt, but you know Pierre Lucid why like what are what are we doing here? Yeah, stuff like that David. There are guys on that and quit and buy till it's having a break up season. You've been fantastic, but You know Measuring up gets a little bit harder like it's it's different when you're talking about a potential wild card team or you know a third or fourth seed and that's great and that's what that's what the Kings are But if you're expecting you know that group of guys as instituted at the moment and with the way, you know, they're playing to go up against the being Covers and in Edmonton Vegas is of the other world. I think that's a big ask. I Guess they maybe do it because you know They spent so little on goal tending that they've they've got to protect it as as best they possibly can Sean But I just wonder if in today's day and age you can play that sort of a style I mean you know the New Jersey teams that did it at the turn of the century. They were they were pretty good still You know they still had Scott Neater my or Martin Broder They had some pretty good teams and they played the trap better than than anybody else But generally you're not gonna trap your way to a Stanley Cup title I just I feel like LA is selling themselves short with you the the overall amount of talent they have on that squad It's just it just still feels like they're a forward short We've been saying that about how many years now right like three seasons where it's like they go out and get the all and it's like Okay, maybe this is enough and they go out and get Du Blonde. It's like, okay, maybe this is enough you know, there's there's They're they're they're falling short there for for whatever reason and I you know, it's a I don't know Is it the coaching is it the roster make up whatever but it just seems like they're? You know, they're they're a team that can't quite get over that hump and can't make that transition from You know nice little wild card team if you maybe do some damage to like a legit contender I just don't I still don't see it for them at this point. Yeah, I'm with you I think you know both Nashville and LA could are spicy first-round opponents that could knock off a team for sure win around maybe But maybe that's kind of as far as it goes But then you know the six teams above them in the West It's an absolute gauntlet and if the Canucks are fortunate enough to say beat LA or Nashville You're facing one of Vegas or Edmonton and that matchup in the first round I mean that could be a potential conference final right if both teams were playing in different divisions That's how talented both those those teams are like how how big of a matchup is that for the first round? I Happy that we're on track to get it at all, you know what I mean? Like does it doesn't matter when this matchup comes as long as it as long as it does come and I'm still not totally Sure where I am on it like we saw it. We saw it last year That was a that was a solid one and in the Western Conference final But man, it's like as an as an appetizer to the rest of the playoffs. I'll take that I think I'm happy with the idea of getting one of those in the first round right where you truly do have You know a conference final pal over Match up in the first round like I'll I'll take it. It's fun Would Vegas be a better matchup in the first round than they might be later in the playoffs not knowing the the status of Mark Stone Absolutely, absolutely. I think that's such a huge Mark sounds a great look we know we know they can do it, right? We know they can just throw him into the deep end and have it have it work out for them But I really do think that You know good as tomorrow is like we don't know what he looks like We don't know what the next looks like with it with him involved And then once he gets his feet under him you'd imagine then we get to the playoffs and then you're talking about You're talking about Mark Stone coming back as well So I think those are just too huge Those are two huge pieces to a top six right like what are the what's there? What are their top two lines gonna look like what's their power plug gonna look like? I think it's certainly possible that you know Just by virtue of the fact that stone's not gonna play until night when the playoffs, you know Maybe you catch and sleep and then in the first two games or three games while that you know kind of feeling out process takes place Absolutely. I feel like the longer they last in the playoffs that the stronger they're gonna get I'm curious on your your thoughts about the way the Canucks are going right now So they're four and four over their last eight the winds have been against Buffalo Montreal Calgary and Anaheim The losses have been to Dallas Los Angeles Washington and Colorado that's all wins against non playoff teams losses against playoff teams So a lot of people in the market are curious about that kind of a stretch. How do you feel about the way the Canucks are going? Just trying to get it out of their system, maybe I'm trying to find like the Like off the missed view of how the last couple weeks have gone for them I you know don't them copy and hurt is huge. I think that's I think that's If anybody doubted how much he means of that team just have having him back around on a nightly basis I think I think we're seeing that firsthand now too, right? But you know the good news with the good news is that you know, it does. Yeah, right It wouldn't when is he coming back? I was that you guys were talking about it for the second. Yeah, so He's on the trip and the expectation was that he would play on Monday I guess there was a dark horse chance that he might play on Saturday now That's the first he's eligible to come off LTI or since he's on the trip But we'll see if he actually gets in or not but it looks like he's close It's just it's tough for me to get all that concerned about the Canucks whenever he's not part of the mix and whenever he is on track to come back and get like a meaningful as a Meaningful number starts coming in the playoffs, right? Like if if he's back and he's rusty and the results are still not where Still not where the you know where you'd like to see him and maybe maybe I'll be a little bit nervous But I don't know man, I guess I'm giving him a pass just because just because he hasn't been around I don't know if that's that's smart or not, but I'm not I'm not quite what it's ready to freak out just yet I'm with you. I'm not I'm not freaking out either about them But but on on Demko it was interesting because we were kind of talking about you know this injury perhaps you know Hurts his chances of winning the Vesna right because you know Connor Hellabuck would look like he had a vice grip on it But you know the way the Jets have struggled his numbers have kind of come down a little bit His wins aren't as a gaudy as they were earlier this season like how do you kind of how do you hand to cap the Vesna race right now? It's a great question. I win a picks playing so so brutally, right? I did I don't know what I don't know what their at the moment, but What 10 goals my last six games or dropping games a good teams bad teams whatever they're they're falling apart at the absolute wrong time I think the question with the Vesna is and this is true really for all awards is like It just feels like we're late in the game like this so much that stuff is narrative based And I think so many people make up their minds on how they're gonna vote and one way or another by you know February or March that it's gonna take something super human to To take that award away from them at this point I really I really do feel that way and you know whatever if If when it picked up the playoffs on a you have two wins an 11 game streak or something and then who knows? Maybe that'll be enough, but man, I still I still feel like that one is to lose for better or worse The the Eastern Conference playoff picture still hasn't completely taken shape I like in the the race for that final playoff spot to the 2012 Academy Awards Well, who should get best picture? I guess it'll be the artist the black and white movie that basically had no sound That that sounds great. That that's kind of what the final playoff team in the East feels like And like who is who is playing the part of the artist? The Washington is it the Washington Capitol? It would definitely be the Washington Capitol or the Flyers and The funniest thing about the caps is that like right at the moment that I kind of internalized the idea that They were gonna pull this off. They're gonna make yeah, make the playoffs despite like not really being good at anything They've like kind of gone into tank again, right? So now so now it's like Detroit is right there Pittsburgh somehow isn't completely dead yet I don't know. I don't know how much you're paying attention to this. Yeah, I know that's funny They're playing the devil tonight. Yeah, whatever muskwin game and then their next game is against Washington. It's crazy. Yeah So like they could potentially like by the end of the week be like tied in points with the Capitol Yeah, not that far of a cries and then I don't know these things are all you seems are all garbage I like it's it's it's fun to watch and it's entertaining But you know on some level to just seeing it every now and I'm just like my eyes are rolling out of my head I'm like, okay, seriously, we we got to take we got to take the penguins like half seriously as a playoff contender great great great great Yeah, it's I've likened them to the artist now I'm gonna liken them to like the Expendables for movie. They're like stuff's gonna blow up and you're gonna like it But it's gonna be a terrible movie. That's uh, that's that's it. And this is this is uh, this is John Wick for Whatever, right? It's fine. It's better than nothing. Yeah, Sean. We really appreciate the time. Thanks so much for this Boys, thank you. There is shanja Dilly from the athletic joining us here on Canucks Central We were talking about this yesterday Yeah, about the the wild curry race in the east and I'm like you can't count out Pittsburgh then they win and next thing No, you're like, wait, wait, they're they're they're only like five back well even the Islanders yesterday like what a comedy It is like here you are in a must-win game and you win it But you let the Flyers score so that you only get the overtime win rather than actually getting the full two points on them So you only get a half measured win It's it's bleak man Like in one of those teams is gonna finish third in the in the metro whether it's Philly or Washington or I think the flyers Are I if I had to guess right now? I would say the flyers and caps are out and the wings I mean, I think the Islanders find a way to get in probably as much as I you know We don't want to see it necessarily, but like I don't know man. Like I don't think the Flyers and capitals are gonna make it No, no, I don't think so man I think the Flyers are gonna be out they have a three-point cushion on the Islanders still but they have two games in hand Yeah, the Islanders do I mean you have to win those games in hand and everything But the way the Flyers are going right now like they don't look like a team That's a firm grip on on where they're going to finish the season like they bank the points sure But that's not I mean 83 points of 76 games like they've played more games the only team I'm hoping gets in as the penguins. You're hoping like I just yeah Yeah, just simply from a I'd rather see Sydney Crosby in the playoffs than than any of these overall teams Yeah, I don't I don't disagree with that Red Wings huge win for them last night over over Tampa Bay, but yeah, those those final spots in the Eastern Conference It's not great. This text The Artist is actually a terrific film if you haven't seen it. Well, I'm sure it was yeah. Yeah, it was great I would I would have taken the money ball that year to be honest is my money ball was part of it too, right? Yeah But maybe maybe I'm not the right person to ask Bigger sports stock radio. Wait, you don't have it. You don't have a vote in the Academy. I Do not that's probably a great gig. How do you get that gig be somebody that votes on the Academy Awards? I don't know. Do you think you got to like Do something you have to like become a member somehow? I don't think it's that close the Canadian board member of the Academy Awards that they get to like live in LA and just like Analyze these films every year. Do they have to all live in LA or do you do it like, you know? I think so. Yeah, do that then I actually get together in an in an atrium like an auditorium They're sitting there talking like who do we vote for now and we'll raise our hands. It's like it's like the Hockey Hall of Fame Committee That's how I imagine Hockey Hall of Fame Committee. Random phone calls out of nowhere It's Dan Riccio and Sati our shot Canucks and Vegas Golden Knights, you know The way the the the playoffs are shaping up especially in the West You know Nashville now that they've lost to in a row, you know the shine wears off just a little bit of their hot streak Well, it's it's so funny how how people so quickly change your minds on things. It's like when they're winning It's like they're unbeatable. They lose a couple one ugly win. They're lost or like lose to Arizona I'm out on these guys LA. I'd still say like I Just I dread having to sit through that kind of a series. It would be It's just going to be a slog like I don't know any other way to describe it I feel like I said the same thing yesterday But this is where we're at sizing up the potential playoff matchups and as much as LA is uninspiring They Do feel like a team that if they get enough saves through a series while they play their ultra defensive style they'll have a chance and That's kind of sometimes what the playoffs come down to but after they lost last night and St. Louis came back to beat the Edmonton Oilers St. Louis isn't that far off of a playoff position just three points separate the St. Louis blues and LA Kings for the second wild card right now So I'm not saying it's gonna happen now. I don't think the blues will do I'm just saying it's on the radar sat some who I guess L. A. Does have a game in hand LA does I mean have you looked at the LA schedule? I have not so I'm gonna tell you that it's the easiest schedule in the world There's no way they're gonna mess this up right. They have Seattle San Jose Vancouver Anaheim Calgary Anaheim Minnesota Chicago The only playoff team you're facing is a Vancouver. Yeah, that's it. So St. Louis has got a win out St. Louis has to win out and even then I mean, I would still say the way LA is gone They'll probably lose a couple games. I lost a Calgary, right? Yeah But I mean those are their opponents They're not they're only playing one playoff team and their final what is it eight games? So pretty much a cupcake schedule for the LA Kings coming up Erfan Gefar is gonna join us Canucks insider his take on What's happening with Vancouver right now? That's coming up next on Canucks Central Hey, it's bigness are have your say and join me on the people's show with big takes and even bigger bets weekdays 3 to 4 on sports net 650 or wherever you get your podcasts Yes Back in on Canucks Central it's Dan Riccio and Satyar Shah our number two of the program coming up still have Canucks Central pregame to get to as The Vancouver Canucks visit the Vegas Golden Knights beginning of a three-game roadie through Vegas tomorrow in Arizona and then Saturday in the Los Angeles the city of Angels Are we bringing our next guest he joins us every Tuesday here on Canucks Central? It is Erfan Gefar Canucks insider. What's happening? Ah, we're we're doing all right getting ready for a pretty big game tonight, you know We were just discussing the Canucks recent form and their last four wins against non playoff teams Their last four losses against playoff teams feeding fuel to the fire of the takes that are Canucks can't beat good teams. What do you think of the team's recent form? I Mean they're winning, but I think it's the way they go about winning games, right? I mean you let Anaheim quads way back on that afternoon game, and then you finally get the win there But I don't know I think that Signs of frustration. I think for a lot of the fan base even doing the post-game shows and stuff like that I mean from you guys this point probably as well is Lee is Pedersen Right, I think a lot of people are wondering if there's something nagging him. What's really going on? You know he had that breakout game against I think it was Buffalo right where he kind of took over to the dangles and things Like that and people like oh wow, you know PD's back and then this is kind of Where he is and and his player that's the one player where you look at and say I want to see more from and I want to see How he responds? Here tonight against Vegas. What do you think is going on with Pedersen? Like is it just confidence thing is it an injuries thing like like what do you think it is? I? Don't know. I mean you obviously miss practice for a reason so there's got it I mean at this point in the season, you know a lot of people are probably playing through something on that team and then across the National Hockey League So, you know you're you're not fully healthy heading into the playoffs but I think for For Lee is Pedersen, you know if you can get those maintenance days and then have days off when when he needs to or when he can That's probably an important thing. I mean the fact that he did go and play against the Anaheim Ducks You know after missing practice is probably a telling sign. So that's good news But yeah, I mean sometimes when you look when you look at him and watch him play, right? He's not opening up for that big shot not getting to areas where he used to be so it could be a little bit of a confidence But he makes too much money and too good to lack that confidence. You know what I mean? Yeah, it's You know, I know he had an injury the year he signed his second contract, you know after It took a while and they get it done in in training camp And he gets off to what was you know arguably the worst start of his career that season and now Maybe there's too much of a correlation there But you know he signs the big contract and he's kind of had a bit a bit of a slump ever since is it? It could just be simply putting too much pressure on himself to to feel like he has to to make good on the contract Now that he signed for the big money Well, I think Pressure I mean with the big contract comes the pressure. Yeah, you are the big you are the big money guy, right? Like when you said that when he signed his contract, he was the big money guy and he's obviously, you know Exceeded what he's gonna be making for the next couple of seasons, but Star players that get the money, you know, have the criticism thrown their way I don't care who you are and what team you play for or what league if you make the money people are gonna criticize You're playing no matter what and I think that when you look at leah peterson, you know last you'll ask games Again, you know Buffalo. He scores two goals when I take you score to gold and it before that I guess against the kings before more script against the LA Kings You have to go back until February 19 of the last time in leah peterson scored a goal Like and I probably I don't even that was against Minnesota where I'm pretty sure everyone's portable in that game So I think that when you look at it, you know He's a guy that you want to see him shooting the puck like I want to see a leah peterson rip the puck seven times Eight times in a game often Matthew shoots 11 times in the game almost every single night Maybe eight maybe five or six hits a net when you're getting these attempts That's something I want to see from a leah peterson. He just hasn't done it enough Yeah, I'm with you on that too because you know and I think you know There might be something there about him putting more pressure on himself after getting the big contract But he was also struggling before the contract was signing we talked about how like hey Maybe the contract signing maybe that you know it now that weight is lifted off of him or whatever So I think whatever it is it comes down to him because even when the head coach was asked about it He's like well, you know, like, you know, he's had a lot of different wingers You have better with him now. You have hogan and with them now combine those guys have like what 60 goals together So it's like you know to me it comes out to him like we can I don't think we can sit here and point to like oh different line Made different this different that like it simply comes out to him individually being better Well, he's playing with good players, right? It's not like he's got players up in the lineup where you know There you know their guys said I mean notice respect to RC Banes But like JT Miller that like that line that night with RC Banes and and Sam Lafferty That was kind of a makeup line, right? And the least person isn't having those opportunities He's playing with guys that he wants to play with the Nils Ho Glenn He's got his buddy, but he brought better on his line You know, he had Connor Garland on his line who was playing extremely well as well and has been playing well this season So I agree with you sat there really is no excuse the thing is is you know We talked so much about all these feathers in the end of the player that he is like I need to see him. I think everyone needs to see him come out of whatever it is before the playoffs, right? If this is a contract then we're gonna look at it and say okay the Canucks got it for steel under 12 million dollars He's gonna out play up But it really matters when you get to the postseason and right now he's not playing his best hockey And I bet he's the first one to admit that as well. Yeah, I said this yesterday But like when when Rick talk it mentions say we need some guys to get going here Patterson's kind of the poster boy of that comment. Is he not? 100% I think it's no secret. Yeah, anyone can look at it and see it has to be him, right? Jakey Miller scores almost every other game Brock obviously scored bot game. No told Londoners playing well I mean, you know life when home is obviously heard and you mentioned Connor Garland Dakota Josh We're coming back into life instant impact right the guys that they need to play well are playing well except for Leah's better said Well, and I think that's what it comes down to in terms of if Vancouver is going to make a difference in the playoffs Like they need all their top guys going that's just but that's true for every single team So I think you know, that's just the reality of it we were talking about Quinn Hughes in the opening segment Earth and and how good he's been like he's I Think sometimes like everything he does becomes normalized We've become desensitized to the things that he does, right? But it's remarkable the type of season he's putting together like he's just breaking records left right and center of franchise wise every single points obviously a new franchise record for most points for a defenseman in a single season, but I'm just I'm just gonna still in awesome times about how good he's been and even though through the stretch where the connects are Struggled it seemed like his game has been more than fine. Well, of course. I mean when you're that That good and that elite at your position, you know, you're gonna have you're gonna play well no matter what It's his hockey IQ. He's smarter than everyone on the ice almost every single game Right, it's the things that he does with the puck, you know, he beats guys He's he's already off the goal line when his teammates should be in front of the net for him to be able to create Chances when he talks about him having to exert energy. That's the play that he's talking about, right? He needs guys to read the game the way that he does and it's it's a gift, right? It's not only a talent It's a gift that he was given to be this good at that position and think the game a certain way You know when Elias Patterson first came into the league his puck deception the way that he thought the game was so elite And we marveled at it night in and night out and so did his teammates And you know, obviously you just mentioned that you know people are desensitized to it because we see it every single day But he is having a hell of a season I mean look the Canucks, you know team awards are out and to be completely honest like when you could probably make a case To be every single one of those awards Yeah, he totally could you know, it's Even the most exciting voting yeah, you're actually voting based on what the actual award is he's every single one Maybe unsung but then for the money that he makes why not? Could he also be the unsung hero? I don't know people might quibble with that one But the other three, you know, best defenseman. You're not voting philipronic as much as he may want more money than Quinn He was you're not voting philipronic. That's just that's not living in reality. So Yeah, the way Quinn's played. I mean he is he's the leader of this team that the other part of this is with Quinn The step that he's taken as as a leader And maybe we just equate it to he's he's got to see on his jersey So now he's the leader of the team But on the ice he's made that step and I mean off the ice we can see it in the in the results This team has taken a huge step and and how they prepare themselves game to game how they get ready game to game and how You know, they haven't ridden the highs and lows of a season in the way they did in the past No, but I think that also goes to credit of the coaching staff and them trying to get them getting ready for the team as well I mean Quinn used after losses last season and even the year before when he wasn't the captain would still be in the room answering questions He'd still be doing media and all those types of things So I feel like he was kind of not grooming but I guess he was you know in line if anything were to happen with bow and things of that nature We obviously saw how that went to be the next captain I know there may be some some people that thought that at least better said, you know Should have gotten to see obviously not and you know the way that things have gone this season Even when the Canucks were having a little bit of trouble or Quinn wasn't playing as well as he has been You know, he's been the one he's been that voice and and it's and it's good to see. I mean he's so young as well Right. I mean this young the core group of this team is such a young age So it's nice to see but again I got I say this all the time as good as this season has been for the Vancouver Canucks and the individual statistics are awesome You know, you're going to the playoffs You're gonna have a home playoff game for the first time and since 2015 the bubble doesn't mean anything anymore Like this is where you show how much money you should be making and what you are as a team Yeah, and you know, I think we're all you know really eager to see all that kind of come together in the postseason and hopefully You know the Canucks actually have some success and you know, honestly, like I'm not as concerned Like if you look at how they played down a stretch I know a lot of people kind of worried about them and and they're worried about what it's going to look like in the postseason I don't have that same concern, but I did want to ask you About potentially some extension is for Canucks players I mean her own ex obviously been the big one But I mean we had Patrick alvin on our show a couple weeks back and he mentioned You know, like we're we're probably not going to sign any mention this to the media too That we're not going to sign anybody probably unless they're willing to take some discounts Like where do you think think things are at in terms of contract negotiations with some other U. F. A So we'll get to her own again a bit, but what about the U. F. A. It's like Dakota joshua teddy bluegrew and and so on So we'll start it with Dakota joshua if anyone's offering him a contract That's north of three million dollars or three million plus you go and take that every single day Especially if it has term on it. I'm not entirely sure that Canucks are going to do that Um, that's just about going to take care just going to get your money Obviously his agency is going to know the way that he's played and how much that he's needed here So they're going to use that as leverage steady bluegrew, you know The the market value on him is close to vote probably what three million bucks now So that that that's one of those things where you're going to have to look at and say Are you willing to pay that and obviously without being saying that they're you know, unless players take a discount It's tough for guys to take discounts now in this day and age in the national hockey league right because You're obviously always one injury away from from you know your career being over and and things like that I mean unless you're a top top guy and someone that knows you're going to make your money in the future Taking discounts for some of these ufa's right now. It's completely out of the question like The Dakota joshua one's going to be interesting because I Not entirely sure that Canucks are willing to go up to three million dollars for him, but other teams are Oh for sure other teams are. I mean you look at some of the comps that he can And him and his agent can point to it's it's easily in the three million dollar range Especially with the the cap going up, you know, it's The guy plays not not only the 15 goals, but the the the penalty kill that he's Definitely a big part of the the penalty kill and how much it's improved this year It's just it's it's hard to find a comp that's under three million dollars for For Dakota joshua with the way his season has gone quite frankly Well, of course, but then I think like on the other side of it I know that you just mentioned we'll talk about philip ronick But I think that's probably the more and most important one to get done Yeah, right. I know his agent is going to last with eight million or whatever it was and you know His market value is above that as well, but That's someone that you need to lock in like if you're The Canucks and you lose philip ronick for an extended period of time I'm not entirely sure that you'll be able to survive as a defense with what they currently have constructed Yeah, whereas Dakota joshua, they were able to survive without them Like they have enough players that are in that top six four group that can you know Make things happen and be able to carry them. I just think that with philip ronick You need another guy there and I Right shot defense room like that are hard to come by Dakota joshua obviously his size and the way that he plays the game are hard to come by as well But you can find lower value bottom six guys around the national hockey league for lunchy for then Once he's going to cost you well. Yeah, and you can you know, you can draw up some Uh video game style ways that you can manage the situation Yeah, trade her own it get a first round pick back go out and Even if you have to overpay for kristan have a little bit It's at least a shorter term, but Like i'll do respect to kristan if he doesn't have the offensive upside that that philip ronick does and that's Like that's been a huge part of that pairing success is how much they can 34. Yeah Like ronick's 26 Yeah, a little bit of a big difference Don't get me wrong and I know this market actually loves him as well, but At what he's probably going to get near five million dollars somewhere I'm not paying that if i'm the conox Why and I think and i'm there with you. I think you know it all kind of comes down to you know What the money is but who's going to blink that because if if uh if her own ex can't believe They're going to get eight million. They're won't settle for less than eight million and the conox are not going to go to eight million like who blinks I don't know if ronick's can't believe that they're going to get eight million, right? I mean, I I'm sure that I can't see I think the one obviously your ass is going to be nuclear. You just look at those numbers, right? Yeah, and a lot the last 30 games or whatever but and could you get yeah? Could you get like a say eight times five from someone afraid to say me like the thing to think to me about the eight number How many years sometimes someone will give you eight over four? But are they giving you eight over seven for instance, you know what i mean or and maybe somebody does But it's not going to be in vancouver and how badly does it want to stay in vancouver? Well, I think that that's it and I think that you look at opportunity Vancouver you're gonna play with quick use. Yeah Like a more next than not you're gonna play with one of the leagues very likely the league best defenseman this season So If it's not eight, what is it? Is it seven two five? Are you happy with that seven and a half? I'm not entirely sure They're willing to go that high so in and around that range. I mean seven times seven or eight All these you found out every day, but I don't think that they're gonna even touch that if that goes that near Um, protonic scam. So it's got to be above seven for sure Um curious uh that true demko Coach mentioned he wasn't gonna make the trip the other day and now today. We see him in las vegas practicing with the team um What do you think the plan is here for demko? He's eligible to come off ltir on saturday Do we see him as early as saturday or is monday a more likely timeline for demko to get back in the lineup? Probably monday, but you're on the road. You're gonna. He's gonna get some ice time here Right like between today skating this morning skates tomorrow probably with everyone else not skating before the game and then You know, you probably have an off day in l.a. And then a full day of practice before the game plus another morning skate I'm not entirely sure that saturday will be the the the the day but maybe closer to monday Um, and it's and it's gonna be completely up to him right if he has a full day of practice And he doesn't ricotta he doesn't you know respond well to it then they'll sit him out I mean there there's no rush to get him back. I know that he wants to play Obviously a couple of games and we probably will see him a couple of games before the playoff starts But I don't think there should be any rush to get him back I think that right now the fact that he's skating and in and around his teammates is a good thing Um being on this road trip and then getting that full practice day in before the game on saturday will be an important step What about lindholm? Where do you think things are at i mean he's on the trip obviously too I think we're all expecting him to play in the post season. The question is is he going to get in before the playoff start Yeah, um, I would think so. Uh, I think that it's the same situation there like he's skating You know off the skating, you know, not with the regular group, you know, he was obviously skated here on saturday Uh before the main or before the or sorry on sunday before the The game, um and being on the being on the trip is a good thing again, you know getting that ice time I think for him it's being able to to maybe manage what he's dealing with And keeping him off a little bit longer probably helps with the pain a little bit And then once it gets to the post season, you know, everyone's obviously battling through something So you're gonna have to play through a little bit of pain Um here there but not to say that before he's went out of the lineup that he wasn't you know battling this injury as well So I think that Between him and demko. I think hope hopefully they both get into at least two games Maybe even three before the post season, but I think demko probably earlier than when he'll maybe Uh earth you're the best. I always appreciate the time. Thanks for this All right, ciao Uh there he is earth on good far Canucks insider joins us every tuesday. We do appreciate it. Yeah, it's funny I mean we were we've been talking so much today about like demko when he's he coming back. Oh, yeah, lindholm's also on the That guy Not playing tonight. No lies lindholm getting closer getting closer He is now become the biggest wild card about what this Canucks team can be going into the playoffs. I think yeah, I mean, it's You know much like peterson, you know and benny in the mocks texted in and said and you know, i'm kind of hoping Uh, I just have a feeling peterson will explode on the playoffs, you know, and and you know, these games don't matter and hopefully That's where he steps up and I think we're all kind of hoping that of course and it's can we see A better version of a lindholm And you know, we've discussed how he's still been A very positive impact because of how good he's been defensively and how the Canucks when they've had their their four centers with him Playing out of middle and blue girl on the fourth line like they're very hard to play through and they really dictate the game And yes, you want more offense, but it's still very much a net positive But can he actually be that big difference maker? They had hoped he would be considering I mean you don't give up with the Canucks gave up If you don't think he's going to be more than a third line I like you're you're expecting him to make a big impact or hoping he can make a big impact and and we're still kind of waiting for that And then hopefully we see it in the playoffs. It's uh, it remains right now the biggest wild card for this team as for that trudemko You know could see him on saturday at the earliest, but uh seems like a more likely timeline would be next monday back at home Against the vegas golden nights, you know on the team's recent play Even with benny from the mocks in his text and listening to how rick talk it has sort of discussed it He feels like structurally the team has still been pretty good. He mentioned this today, but They're just missing some of the other stuff, you know the being good on their changes Getting a puck deep Those kind of getting a puck out of the zone Taking some poorly timed penalties all those little things Are the stuff that he's been hammering on lately as the Canucks have kind of just been in this malaise of 500 hockey over the last couple of weeks and I wonder if he just If you're sort of at a point with the team where They have lost a little bit of their sharpness now that They can see the finish line of the regular season a little bit sure you've still got the pacific division to close out but You know, they played pretty intense hockey with zero let up All the way up until the all-star break. Yeah, they were the last team in the league to lose to lose three games in row Remember, yeah, and they played the most games up until that point and they played the most games up until that point They had that 10 game and 17 stretch through february, which was sort of brutal as well. So I wonder if you know, tockets Not been as hard on the team based on him realizing They've just got to get to the playoffs here. Yeah, and I think it's a bit of a delicate balance I'm sure because I'm sure there are things that like drive him crazy and he mentions the line changes and it's it's a little bit of You know somewhat laziness at times not being quite as as switched on and and it's not even so much I think guys are saving themselves. There's I'm just not quite sure if It's easy to manufacture that level of desperation and intensity when you're wrapped up so much already Yeah, right and as much as yes, you still have to finish first in the division Like I don't think they feel like they're at at real risk of losing that either yet, you know what I mean So I think it's hard to manufacture that but for the most part they've played clean hockey They've controlled games five on five. They've actually been pretty good through all this and talking himself mentioned Structurally, he feels good about where things are at so I don't think he's too upset Yeah, but at the same time like it's it's like he's probably annoyed You're still have to get to the playoffs and before that it's hard to get guys, you know the gab that get up And that's why I think you know This trip the game against vegas the other one coming up against la 2 on on saturday Like these are games where i'm expecting them to be able to manufacture a bit more intensity You should get up for yeah, you know, they they they were up for the the dallas game last week That was a great game. Yeah, they played a really good game You know some some tough moments, right? They gave it up on the power play and essentially that was the difference In the game, but you know, they played really well in that one thought they played pretty well against la 2 But you know lost it for a couple of moments there Well, I mean, you know one thing that helps you when you're playing la having five guys out there We're not short-handed You know and there comes minor detail. Yeah, there comes the sharpness the detail the focus the intensity that as maybe Lacking from where it was earlier in the season and and that's the kind of thing that I'm not so worried about in a in a roundabout way You can if you want to take a glass half full approach about their recent form the fact that they are still structurally sound it Highlights that they've achieved their goal in some sense remember At the end of last or the end of two years ago with bruce budro and how that season ended and what jim Rutherford and patrick alvin talked about they said Well, we still need to become a team that doesn't depend on their goaltending conox aren't that anymore And we want to build a team that's structurally sound that it becomes muscle memory You know where your teammates are going to be on the ice and it makes it a lot easier for everybody to play the game Like they've kind of achieved that and they're showing that even in this recent stretch where They may not be at their sharpest, but they're still hard to break down structurally. They're still pretty sound And at five on five they tend to more often than not win the match up against their opponent It's kind of become muscle memory how they play. Yeah, which is important And and I think that's why i'm not as concerned about their trend as a lot of people are because i'm seeing a lot of good things Generally speaking and I think the focus part when the playoffs come around the intensities There's no way this team's gonna lack intensity. Yeah, I just don't see it. You know what I mean There's no chance especially with the energy in the building at roger's arena Yeah, and I just I just think that that's going to be there It comes out individual players too like we talked about you know peterson Of course, such a big part of it and does he find his game But yeah, like there's there's so much when it comes to how they've played and I think the the real benefit of Of really buying into how they've played and being consistent with it is that now it's become second nature to their game and this is where Every game you're still in games even when you don't play well, you're still hanging around you're still you're never getting blown out They're getting good gold tending too, but you know, they're just not falling apart You know, they're not making the second and third mistakes the fire drills aren't happening You know, they don't have kind of that the identity crisis as a team that's going on And and those to me are the red flags that I would be like hey guys We should be worried heading into the playoffs like this is not looking good, but but those things right now are aren't concerns right now. It's Dan Reacho Satyar Shah coming up. We are going to Talk about Some of your texts coming into the dumbbar lumber text message inbox will also hear from rick talk it And how he's feeling about the team heading into the game against vegas tonight You're listening to conoc central [BLANK_AUDIO]
