Up next in 10
Host Jacob Billington welcomes Vancouver Canucks writer Matthew Zator to The Hockey Writers Roundtable to preview the 2024-25 season.
0:00 Intro
1:07 New Additions DeBrusk, Sprong, Heinen, Sherwood
12:34 Thoughts on Podkolzin Trade
14:31 Canucks' Defence
17:58 Goaltending - Thatcher Demko & Arturs Silovs
22:30 Biggest Storyline/Question Mark Going Into 2024-25
24:12 Breakout Stars
25:14 One Player That Needs to Bounce Back
26:25 Potential X-Factors
27:55 Rookie/Prospect That Could Surprise & Make the Team
29:30 Prospects to Watch
30:49 Who will lead the team in scoring (forwards & defence)?
31:37 Bold Prediction/Hot Take
Check out Matthew's writing - https://thehockeywriters.com/author/mzator/
And the rest of the Canucks writers at THW as they preview the season in written form - https://thehockeywriters.com/tag/canucks-season-preview/
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0:00
Hey everybody, welcome to another the Hockey Writers Season preview
0:05
For the first time this year, I'm your host, Jacob Billington, joined by Matthew Zaytor, who is going to be talking about the Canucks today
0:13
You've seen a lot of him if you've been watching all the season previews. But Matthew, how are you doing
0:18
Doing good, being on the other side here. It's an interesting position, but yeah, happy to talk Canucks
0:26
and excited for the next season here. or only a few weeks away from training camp
0:31
actually pretty close to training camp. And yeah, I just want hockey to get started here again
0:36
I hear you. It's been a pretty dry summer. I mean, I guess in terms of news, it's been pretty busy
0:41
but definitely missing the summer, or the hockey. So let's just get right into it
0:47
The Canucks had a very busy off season. Kind of underratedly, people think of the busiest off seasons
0:52
They think of the predators. They think of the Florida Panthers. They don't really mention the Canucks
0:57
but a lot of big names out, some big names in. First name that came in was Jake DeBrusk
1:03
What are your thoughts on that deal? I love it. I mean, the term was a bit long for me, but, you know
1:10
use that term to get the cap hit down. And his cap, it's not too bad
1:14
I mean, he's a guy that could potentially be part of this team for
1:19
well, he did sign a really long deal. So he should be part of this team for a long time
1:24
Hopefully it's not the same as the last time. the Canucks got someone from the Bruins and that was Louis Erickson
1:32
Everyone knows in Canucks the nation that that wasn't a very good deal
1:37
He only was productive for maybe one season and then he was an albatross of a contract
1:42
for the rest of it. I don't feel like DeBras was going to be that way. I think he's got a, he's got the style of game that's going to thrive in Vancouver
1:51
especially on a Rick Talk of team that likes his type of game
1:55
So I think he's going to start with Elias Pedersen on the second line
1:58
or if you want to call it a 1B. I think he's a guy that could potentially
2:05
fit with Pedersen. At least everyone's hoping he will because that's why he was signed
2:11
Patrick Albin said after he was signed that he anticipates him to play with
2:15
Pedersen and be a guy that could be his duet partner like Besser and Miller are
2:23
And it would be great to have a another dynamic duo, like that top line with Besser Miller has clicked probably
2:31
It's been the last few seasons where they've been really good together and they've played most of their time as a duo
2:36
So if they could get a DeBrusk Pedersen to click that way, that's great
2:41
Because then they've got three duos with Joshua and Garland on the third line
2:46
really clicked together last season. So I really like the signing. I think DeBrusk really fits
2:52
He could potentially be a 25, 30 goal score. I'm not maybe not the 30, but at least 25
2:58
He's done that a few times in his career. And he's going to bring a lot to the power play
3:02
He's pretty physical. He's a big forward. And he's got some speed too
3:07
So I think he's going to be a really good fit for the Canucks
3:12
And I mean, yeah, the money's a bit much and the terms a bit much. But if he's productive and then the money's fine, I think he's going to be good here
3:22
Yeah, I think it's a risky deal. I mean, he has great possession numbers. His underlying stats are fantastic
3:28
But he's only surpassed 42 points once or twice. I think his rookie area at 43
3:35
There's a lot of risk in it. But I think it's one that will pay off. Like he said, if you can click with Pedersen, that'll be a great deal for them
3:43
Moving on, another forward that they signed, Dayton Hinen, another guy at a Boston
3:48
What are your thoughts on bringing him in? They seem to just want to get Boston
3:52
And then Boston goes and takes guys from the Canucks too. So yeah
3:57
I like that in Hinen. I think he came out as a tryout PTO from Boston last season
4:03
and really thrived there in his second go around with the team
4:07
And he's one of those versatile guys. I think he can play in the top six
4:11
He can play in the bottom six and be good all around. I'm not sure where he's going to start
4:16
He's probably going to get some auditions with Pedersen. He's probably get some auditions
4:21
with Miller and Bessor. maybe even the third and fourth lines. I don't know
4:25
I think he's just going to fly around the lineup to see where you can fit. But he's one of those players that's really good on the forecheck
4:32
He's got some, again, speed. He's been able to, I mean, it's not a big score
4:38
He's not going to be hitting 30 goals. But I think he can be a 20 goal score for sure
4:45
And again, add to the penalty kill, maybe be on the second unit power play
4:50
I really see him as an under. are like Neal's Holglander type player where he'll be able to score but not be the big time guy
4:58
but add to the team in different ways. So again, a great signing for me
5:04
I feel like he's just, again, another type of player that's going to fit with Rick Tocke and his system
5:10
And that seems to be a pattern throughout all the signings, that they're all guys that are going to
5:15
play well and what Tocke is going to bring. So I like the Hinen signing too
5:20
Yeah, I like it as well. and I mean, $2.25 million for two years
5:23
That's not much of a risk. It's a good value for somebody. I think with Pittsburgh two seasons ago, maybe three seasons ago, he scored, he did hit
5:31
over 20 goals, which was he had a great season. And then it was weird last off season because he had like a handshake deal with the Bruins
5:39
to join the team once they made Cap Space. And it was, yeah, it was interesting
5:44
But now he gets locked up for two years. And somebody coming from not Boston, but wears similar colors
5:51
is Keith for sure would out of Nashville. What are your thoughts on bringing him in
5:54
I mean, two years, 1.5 million. I personally think he's going to fit really well with somebody like Dakota Joshua
6:01
could make a really difficult line to play against. But what are your thoughts
6:06
This is probably one of my favorite signings because it's very under the radar
6:10
And in fact, it was like, oh, this is a guy that comes in. But he scored last season, too
6:14
It's not a guy that just scored two goals. I mean, he had double digits. So, I mean, it's not like this is not just a guy
6:21
a banger on the third and fourth line and he can this is the guy he's going to be doing that he led
6:26
uh i don't know if he led nashville and hits but he was up there i he had 245 i he's one of those
6:35
guys that just he'll throw his body around he'll be in the same hit totals as what joshua was
6:40
i and joshua would have had even more if he wouldn't got injured he would have had over 300 hits
6:45
but sure what's this i think another dakota joshua i mean they brought him in
6:51
a few seasons ago under a really low contract. And now he's, of course, getting paid a lot more
6:56
But I see Sherwood as that same type of player. But he's going to be playing probably on the fourth line to start
7:03
Although he could also play with Garland and Joshua, but then there's no center on that line
7:08
So you kind of, I think Sherwood's going to be playing on the fourth line. But he has a potential to score and, of course, bring that physicality
7:17
And he's just, he's not very, he's very tough to play. play against. I don't, that was one of the reasons why the Canucks signed him. Albany even said
7:25
this is a guy we were really annoyed to play against him against Nashville and he always stood out
7:31
So we're just going to sign him. And I think Quinn Hughes said the same thing about him. So they said
7:38
well, we're going to have him on our side this time. And I'm going to, I think I'm going to love him
7:43
on the Canucks because he's, again, one of those guys that will fit with what talk it brings as a coach, too
7:48
So well, and him getting to Vancouver is a similar path to Dakota Joshua as well
7:53
Like he's spent six seasons in the NHL, parts of six seasons already
7:59
And last year is the first time he really played in a full season
8:03
And he got 27 points in 68 games. So he's going to probably get more of a chance in Vancouver
8:09
And he's proven himself a bit. But yeah I think it a fantastic signing for all the same reasons Daniel Sprung one of the most efficient players in the NHL 20 fourth liner One year 975K
8:23
What are your thoughts? This is a, I keep going back to this
8:28
It's like a Pia Souter type, you know, last minute, August signing that just comes out of nowhere
8:35
I mean, the Canucks have done nothing since July 1st. And then all of a sudden, Daniel Sprong signing comes
8:40
And everyone's like, okay. it's it's very low I mean very low risk I mean a one year deal I he's a guy that's going to like you say very underrated guy that plays in the bottom of the lineup but can still score close to 20 goals and every place he's been in the Seattle crack and then he goes to the red wings and does the same thing I mean a lot of people say he's not that good defensively he's not bringing that he's just a shooter he's just a score which I mean is that a bad thing I don't know I mean on talk it team maybe
9:11
Maybe it is. But I think it's a guy they're going to be able to fix that
9:16
I don't know how bad defensively he really is. But it's a guy that can just put the puck in the net, which is what you need
9:24
And a lot of people are saying maybe he'll play with Pedersen and DeBrask to start on the second line
9:30
And well, who does Pedersen need? A shooter that just shoots when he gets a puck
9:36
And McKayev wasn't that. You can get a guy like Sprong who will be able to put the puck in
9:41
after Pedersen passes the puck to him. That's, I think, it's going to be good for everyone involved
9:47
So I like the sprang signing. I mean, it's very low risk. It's so it doesn't work out
9:52
He's gone next season. And if it works out, great. And then he, and then he resigns
9:57
And I don't know if he'll resigned because then you'll get a lot of them a lot more money
10:01
But I like the sprong signing. I think he's going to really pay off. And the most recent move that they made
10:08
Sammy Blay, they bring him, they bring him in on a PTO. Do you think that's just to kind of give some competition to the training camp
10:17
Do you think he has a good shot? What are your thoughts? I think it's again, just bring in and just see what he does
10:24
He's been pretty good in the NHL over his time in St. Louis and twice
10:31
And where else was he? I know he was in the Rangers
10:36
The Rangers was the other team. Yeah, I know he came back to the Blues and he was pretty effective for them
10:41
last season that he was there. And I mean, he's a guy that if he doesn't sign
10:46
well, they can maybe put him in the AHL and see what he can do there and then bring
10:51
him up later on. He's, I think he, well, he was signed to an AHL deal
10:57
And we'll see what he does for NHL. But I think he's a good, just a depth move
11:03
And if he does well in training camp, they probably will sign him later on
11:07
But there's not a lot of space on the roster right now. And but I mean, who knows
11:15
I mean, you never know what he could do at trading cap and they could just sign him. They signed one more player that I want to ask you about
11:21
And this is more of a, I have a personal liking for this player, Nathan Smith
11:26
So he was selected by the Winnipeg Jets. He didn't want to sign with the Jets. And so we got traded to the coyotes
11:31
And 14 games in two years, they think was pretty solid in the AHL for two seasons with 58 points and 124 games
11:40
It's not terrible. Do you think he just adds organizational depth, a HL player, or do you think he might have a shot
11:47
I think right now it's more depth. AHL guy can play in the top six in Abbotsford
11:53
and be a good call-up option. But again, training camp can dictate things
11:58
And if he impresses, he might beat out a guy for a fourth-line spot
12:03
and then make some decisions very tough on management, which is what training camp is for
12:08
Alvin and Rutherford haven't been shy about putting guys on waivers in the past to bring some guys these in
12:18
And so, but right now I think he was signed for depth. And we'll see it's in his hands to see what else he comes from it
12:25
But he'll be one of the first call-ups if forwards get hurt, I think
12:29
Yeah, I agree. The last forward that was a moving piece is Vasili Pod Colson went to Edmonton for a fourth round pick
12:36
I don't know if you've gotten the chance to really talk about your thoughts on the hockey writer's YouTube channel
12:42
But you just want to give you quick thoughts on that too. I gave it a little bit on Prospect Corner a bit
12:47
But, I mean, Pod Coles and I didn't like the deal. I feel like they just have fourth round pick
12:55
I mean, for a kind that was drafted in the top of the draft, and then you get a fourth-round pick for him
13:03
I feel like it's too low. but then he wasn't probably going to make the team
13:08
And if they would have had to put him on waivers, then well, guess what
13:12
Someone's going to pick him up. And then they get nothing for him. So it's like they kind of maybe saw the writing on the wall
13:19
It's like, well, he's probably not going to do. And we're going to probably have to put him on waivers
13:24
So let's get something for him. And Edmonton was, of course, looking for guys to kind of replace who they knew they were going
13:31
to lose Holloway, most likely. So they got podcoles and kind of
13:35
fill him fill it in so i don't like the deal i feel like pod colson's a lot more potential
13:40
but maybe it was taking too long to kind of develop that in vancouver and we'll see what he does in
13:46
emminton i mean ultimately the connobs are probably going to lose him anyway on waivers
13:52
i maybe made my peace with it now i didn't like it at the time but for now it's it's i get why
13:59
it was done yeah it's it's hard to lose a 10th round or 10th overall pick for a fourth round pick
14:05
But you also can't keep a player that doesn't deserve a roster spot just because you can't wait for him
14:10
So it had to be done unless he showed up to camp and did very good, which that's what I would have done
14:18
I would have waited until at least like camp started to see what shape he's in and all this
14:23
But then again, you don't have the leverage to make a trade at all because you're going to have to waive him
14:27
So I get both sides to the argument. moving on to defense the oilers the Canucks bring in oilers defenseman
14:37
Vincent A.R.NAe. What are your thoughts on bringing him in? Two years at $2 million
14:41
That's a bit steep in my opinion. But I wanted to get your thoughts on that
14:46
It is a little pricey. I mean, they were of course in on Zadorov
14:51
They wanted him back. But he was of course really pricey. He was too much money
14:55
And he seemed to want to go to Boston. So it's not a guy that I think the Canucks had any
14:59
real chance of resigning. Not the kind of got a guy that will replace his size, at least. Not the same type of
15:06
defenseman at all. I mean, his size is probably the only similarity. But, I mean, yes
15:13
they're both physical at defensemen too. But I think DeHarnay's just a real poor man
15:18
Zedorov. And they kind of brought him in. He was okay in Edmonton. I wasn't really blown
15:24
away with whatever he did. But he was a good depth guy. I mean, he's not going to play a lot of
15:28
minutes in Vancouver. He'll be a good, he'll be on the penalty kill. He'll play on the bottom pairing
15:34
But you could be surprised and, and see, see him do well because Adam Foote and
15:39
Sergey Gonchar have done wonders with any defensemen that have come in here. And I'm really optimistic that he
15:45
they can maybe bring a bit more out of this guy because he does have that size and he does have that
15:51
that ability to be a good defensive defenseman and bring a lot to the penalty kill
15:56
So I'm reserving judgment. I didn't like the money at the time
16:00
I would have liked Zadarv to come back. But in the sense, it's like, didn't seem like that was in the cards
16:06
So DeHarnay is maybe a good consolation. We'll see how he does. Yeah, I was going to mention the same thing with foot and gone chair as well as Talkit
16:15
I think those three are the three best people you can have in your corner for a guy like Day or Ney who wants to thrive
16:21
But heading back to Boston, Derek Forbort gets a contract. One year, $1.5 million
16:28
This one's a really good. I mean, Forbert used to be a really good I don know if he he not he not bad now But at the when he was in LA he was probably one of their best defensemen And he goes to Boston He been pretty good
16:41
He was injured most of the year last season. So he wasn't bringing as much as he was in his previous season
16:48
So he's healthy now. He's really liked coming to Vancouver here. He's, I think he's going to be a good top four guy
16:56
Again, brings good penalty killing, blocking shots. He brings all that. those abilities that, again
17:03
foot and talk it and Gontard like on their defense. So, and he's mobile too
17:09
He's not a slow defenseman. He probably won't bring a ton of offense
17:13
but I think he's better than Ian Cole, in fact, of being of mobility and the ability to move the puck
17:20
So I think he's going to be good. Again, reserving judgment on it
17:25
But at this point, I think he's just, he just fits, again
17:29
a guy that'll fit in with what the are doing right now. Yeah, and I think he was a really good depth option
17:36
I mean, he was kind of a seventh defenseman in Boston for the last few years, but it's all about the system fit
17:41
Somebody can go from a top four defenseman to a seventh defenseman, just all based on what works best for the team
17:47
And that's kind of where Derek Forbert slides in. He could thrive in a bigger role, but he also makes a great six, seven defenseman
17:54
So, yeah, moving on to the Canucks hot topic of the, last couple weeks is goal tending there's a lot going on so as of right now thatcher demko is
18:09
injured with some sort of knee injury that can't be solved with surgery it's something he's
18:16
going to have to live through and learn to play through eerily reminds me of the carry price
18:21
injury that ended his career not to burst your bubble there if you had high hopes but it's also
18:28
very common for goaltenders to just have things to deal with their career. Hopefully this is the latter
18:35
What are your thoughts on the current? And of course, they have C-Laws as well, who is also dealing with a bit of an injury, but it doesn't sound like it's going to carry
18:42
into training camp in the start of the season. What are your thoughts on the tandem that they
18:48
are going to be running with? I mean, they also just offered Kevin Lankin in a contract
18:53
but he declined it. I assume they're going to revisit that. That's their best option at the moment
18:58
But where do you sit with where the Canucks sit right now in terms of goal-tending
19:04
I'm a little worried about Demko. The thing is, it was something that has gone, again, gone back to last season where
19:14
and there's been stuff that coming on. Maybe they rushed him back. He probably shouldn't have played the last few games of the season and the playoffs
19:21
the first game of the playoffs, that he pushed himself too hard to come back
19:25
And that's why he's hurt still now. I don't know any truth to that at all, but the thing is, and then Ian Clark is now not the goaltending coach anymore
19:34
He was moved up in the organization to a scout and a development coach
19:40
There's speculation that why he moved there because of something with Demko too
19:44
Again, this is all speculation. There's nothing really concrete on that. But I'm a little worried with this injury because if it's a nagging thing, when is he going to be healthy
19:54
Is he ever going to be 100% healthy again? And that was again, I was thinking about the same thing with Kerry Price, that Price had to retire early because of this type of injury
20:05
And if Demko has the same thing, his career may be cut short too, which is unfortunate because he's right in his middle of his prime
20:11
He's probably healthy. He's one of the best goaltenders in the NHL
20:16
And he really hasn't shown a lot, hasn't been able to show that full for full seasons yet because of these multiple different injuries, knee injury, hip
20:26
growing all this stuff that seems like a lot of goaltenders deal with
20:31
But if it's something that he can then he can actually manage, then it's okay
20:36
But that was what they were trying to do with Kerry Price too. See if he can manage through it
20:40
Never was able to. So we'll see. I'm cautiously optimistic that he can get through it
20:47
Right now, the Canucks have a pretty good backup option in Shilovs with how he played in the playoffs
20:53
But you don't know how he's going to hold up over a season. if he's going to have to be at a starter all season
20:58
I'm not really sure about that right now. I really want the Canucks to sign someone else
21:05
just to have that kind of good veteran guy, Langton would be a great option
21:10
Even anti-Ranta would be another one that I would be okay with bringing in
21:15
But I'm hoping Demko just comes back and it's fine. Right now it's fine
21:19
Short-term, She loves being the starter, what look we did in the playoffs. So I consciously optimistic
21:26
on the tandem. Ideally, it's a great tandem if they're both healthy
21:31
Yeah, I wonder if they look at the New Jersey Devils as a trading partner
21:38
Like, I wonder if they look at Nico Dawes or I guess they traded a Kirishmead to Vegas
21:44
so they don't have him anymore. But one of those teams that have two good young backup caliber goaltenders
21:51
just to bring another body in. I wonder if they trade like a mid-round pick for that. Yeah
21:56
Or Alex Lyon from the Red Wings. I'd be okay with that. Yeah
22:00
I mean, I think Alex Lyon is going to be their go-to guy. True
22:05
Yeah. They got so many goalies in Detroit. Yeah. I think Vili Huso would be a more realistic
22:12
available target from Detroit. But he comes with $4 million cap hit
22:17
That's true. Yeah. So, yeah, I don't know. Them signing Cam Talbot was just so weird
22:23
It is weird. but yeah we're going to move into some quick fire questions here so whether you want to approach
22:29
this from the biggest storyline or the biggest question mark what's the what's the number one thing
22:33
you're keeping an eye on throughout this season well the start is the goal tending situation
22:39
of who's going to start how long dem goes out if she lov's going to have to be the starter
22:45
for a while i think the goaltending is the biggest storyline going into training camp at this point
22:50
throughout the season it's a leas peterson can he bounce back to the play i i hesitate to say bounce back because the thing is he had he had 89 points last
23:00
season um but he was not good after january um most likely because of that nagging injury that
23:07
he had so if he's healthy and he's okay then he's a hundred point guy um if he can click with de brusk
23:13
there's another question mark we'll see if he can click with some new linemates for the first time
23:17
in a while because he's been stuck with mckeyev after the last few seasons a couple seasons and then with a
23:23
rotating cast beside him. I guess Hoaglander has been a pretty common line mate for him, too, but it's going to be
23:31
interesting, I think, for how Pedersen kind of rebounds. And this is this first year of his big, massive, 11, what is it, $11 million contract now
23:43
So yeah, I think that's going to be hanging over him too. So hopefully he can rise to the occasion
23:48
I think that's the biggest thing right now. Yeah. And I think his game took a little bit of a step back when, um
23:53
Elias Lindholm came in as well just because there's less of a load off him
23:57
and while Linholm wasn't fantastic in Vancouver it was just the two of them
24:01
kind of made up a two parts of a hole there they both
24:05
played fine in their roles you would like to see more out of both of them yeah
24:10
um all right give me a breakout star who's going to be the biggest breakout player
24:17
on the team is this tough because there are so many guys that broke out last season for the connect
24:22
Is there any left? There's no idea. I'm going to go with some newcomer
24:27
I'm going to go with Daniel Sprong. I feel like he's going to turn into a 25 goal score here
24:35
especially if he plays more in the top six. I'm kind of, it's going to be interesting to see if why he's been good is because of the low ice time
24:45
If he puts, gets more ice time, is it going to be as good? I don't know
24:49
But I feel like he going to be one of those breakout guys guys is going to be able to score more than what he done before and become more of a star than he has been on other teams
25:01
For me, it's got to be Jake DeBrusk. I think he's going to be in a great position to hit 60 to 70 points for the first time in his career
25:09
I think that's very realistic for him. So who needs to bounce back from last year
25:16
You kind of touched on Elias Pedersen there. Is he your answer for this
25:19
or do you have a different one? I don't want to, because Pedersen, I look at his points and it's like
25:24
what bounce back turned back into his hundred points sell? I think that's the biggest bounce back you can hope for him
25:31
But, and again, there's not a lot of guy, again, how many guys had bad seasons last season
25:36
There weren't that many. You could say Ronik from the second half
25:41
Yeah, maybe, yeah. I mean, Heronic probably would be a good one. He's still finished with some good point totals
25:47
and the guys that I would say to bounce back aren't with the team anymore
25:52
So, I mean, it's kind of tough to pick one. So I'm going to go with, I'll just say, I'm going to say, Heronic
26:00
because I think he needs to be good all season. He can't just drop off after the first half and become basically a shell of what he was
26:08
because he's put up like no points after like half the season
26:12
Most of his points were done in the first half. So, and now he's under a big contract
26:16
as a big extension. So he's got to show more throughout the season
26:21
So I'll go with Hironic on the bounceback. Okay. What about the X Factor
26:26
Who's going to be the biggest game change of the year? It's really easy to go with Quinn Hughes because he was the next factor last season
26:35
I think he's going to be that again. So I'm going to go with Quinn Hughes. One guy, he said in an interview that was a couple days ago
26:42
he says he feels like he has more to give. He were almost 100 point defensemen
26:46
How much more can you? But that's great to see because he thinks he can still be better
26:51
He feels he can score more. And he's been working on that all off season, perfecting his shot
26:59
fainting where he shoots the puck. And he wants to be a 20-goal score this season
27:04
So if he puts up 20 goals and puts up the same amount of assists, he's a hundred-point defenseman
27:09
So he says, I don't know about the 100 points. But I'm like, if you put up 20 goals and you put up your 80 assists
27:13
you're getting 100 points. So in no other words, he was saying he was going to be a hundred point defenseman
27:20
So I think he's still the biggest X factor on the Canucks because he's just such a game changer on there, out there
27:26
And I love watching Hughes play. So, I mean, he's going to be the biggest X factor for sure
27:33
He's one of the most dynamic players in the NHL. And I mean, if it wasn't for Cal McCar, he would be far and away
27:39
Like the gap between one and two is not that big for defensemen
27:44
the gap between two and the rest of the league is gigantic at this point
27:48
Even Adam Fox, who is an incredible defenseman, is far behind Quinn Hughes at the moment
27:54
Agree. Give me one young player, whether it's going to be a rookie or a prospect or whoever coming into the lineup
28:00
that's going to make a big impact. I don't see anyone surprising in making it out of camp because the guys that could
28:09
I feel they shouldn't. And that's like LeCarramackey. if he plays out of his mind in training camp and really impresses
28:18
he has to force out a veteran because the guys that are ahead of him are going to be
28:23
Neil Zomond. Like, guys like that, he's going to have to, he's not going to be able to be a top six guy right off the bat unless he unseats a Daniel
28:33
Sprong or a Holglander or, you know, those guys like that. So I'm going to say no one because I don't see a surprise
28:41
unless La Cairmacchi is my choice for a surprising pick, but I don't see it
28:49
And even, no, I don't see anyone really surprised at doing it because they have to waive someone or trade someone
28:57
And it doesn't seem like they're one of those teams right now that pushes young guys into the lineup
29:03
So LeCarramacki is probably going to play in the HLH all most of the season. Yeah, most likely
29:07
And with a player like LeCarramacki, he's going to do best. in the top six in the
29:13
NHL and he's not just going to have that hand to him but like bottom six in the NHL is just not
29:19
where he's going to fit in this year. So even if there is a hole open on the third line
29:23
there's options that you would rather see in there. He's going to develop so much better
29:27
in a more offensive role than in a bottom six. So is the Karamaki going to be the prospect
29:33
that you think fans should be watching this season? He's the biggest one
29:38
I think Tom Villander is of course a guy I want to watch or everyone should be watching the NCAA again in the second season
29:45
He's got a really good freshman year. And he's going to sophomore and see how much more he can build his game
29:52
Because that doesn't sound like the Canucks are going to rush him into the NHL
29:57
They want him to play in NCAA. And of course, a lot of those guys want to play out most of their college career
30:03
So, but watch him because he's going to, when he makes it to the NHL, he's going to be a top pairing defenseman
30:09
and hopefully alongside Quinn Hughes because I think that's going to be a heck of a pairing
30:14
So the launders another guy to watch. And of course, Lerner Mac is going to get top line minutes in Abbotsford
30:19
He's going to get tons of chances to produce. So those two for sure
30:24
Yeah, the Canucks have some sneaky good prospects. I mean, like when you think of the best prospect pools in the league
30:30
the Canucks aren't in that conversation and they shouldn't be. But they're like they're high-end guys
30:35
They've got some pretty good ones, especially if you still consider she loves a prospect
30:39
Yeah, he's still borderline. He plays, he'll graduate after the end of the season
30:44
Yeah. All right. I think I already know your answer for defense. But who is going to lead the team in scoring for the forwards and then the defense
30:53
So forwards, I'm not going J.T. Miller this time. I'm going to go Elias Pedersen because I really see him producing back or reverting back to the guy that had the 100 point season a couple of seasons ago
31:05
He'll be healthy all season, I hope. and be able to, but it'll be very close
31:11
Miller's going to be there, but I think Pedersen's going to just slightly edge him out
31:17
And then, of course, Quinn Hughes. Yeah, no explanation. There's no one else
31:23
He's going to be a hundred point defenseman, I think, this season. And yeah, he'll lead it
31:28
He could even lead the team in scoring. I don't know. I would put money down on him leading the team
31:35
But yeah, so give me one hot, take or a bold prediction or something along those lines for the Canucks
31:42
All right. My bold prediction is, oh my gosh. I've got a couple
31:49
So I'm going to go with Brock Besser. He's going to have a 45 goal season
31:54
And again, another 40 goal season, but closing him more on the 50 goals because I feel like
32:00
he's just kind of turned the corner now and he's figured out how to score
32:05
So consistently. and stay healthy. So I'm going to go with Besser getting
32:11
I'll go one better. He'll be a 50 goals score. There's your goal
32:15
50 goals for Besser. And then I'm going to say J.T. Miller is going to be another 100 points
32:24
I don't know if that's a bold prediction because he. That's not very bold. He's only had his 100 point season
32:30
Can he do it again? Yeah, that's true. I guess could be a big thing. But the bold predictions of 50 goals for Bessor
32:37
Yeah, I think NHL fans just across the league are like 50-50 divided on whether last year was an outlier for Besser or if he's able to do that because he did take that next step
32:48
So I'm really excited to see how he does this year. And problem is 50 goals means a ton of more money on his next contract
32:55
So there's another question that's going to go throughout the season. All right
33:00
Well, thanks everybody for tuning in. Matthew, thanks for joining me or me joining you, however that works
33:07
But yeah, tune in tomorrow for another season preview on the Hockey Writers' YouTube channel
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