The Top 5 Current Right Wingers in The NHL

Considered maybe the easiest position in hockey, the right wing has given birth to some of hockey’s greatest studs. From Gordie Howe to Teemu Selanne, the position has seen more than its fair share of greatness. Today’s NHL is the most skilled era we’ve ever seen with a new generation of players that are faster, stronger, and more skilled than ever before. I don’t know about you, but I definitely wouldn’t be able to keep up with an NHL skater. Today we’re going to be looking at my top five right wings in the NHL today.

 

Per usual, starting off with number five on our list is a Toronto Maple Leaf. Any guesses? If you guessed Mitch Marner you are WRONG. At number five is William Nylander. The son of Legendary Michael Nylander has been a staple name in Toronto households since being drafted in 2014. Drafted 8th overall he burst onto the scene in Leaf land, playing his first full rookie season in 2016-17 where he put up an impressive 61 points playing alongside fellow rookie Auston Matthews. Nylander has steadily gotten better each season in his career with his peak last season finishing with 40 goals and 98 points in a full season. Prior to that he put up an impressive 80 and 87 point seasons. He’s absolutely electric to watch having such poise with the puck and one of the better releases in the game. He’s also shown to be a big time gamer, usually being the struggling Maple Leafs best performer come playoff time. More than that he’s got the style and flow off the ice, am I the only one who’s jealous of that hair? Nylander is on pace to finish the current season with 50 goals and 83 points if he plays a full year and it’s not crazy to say that the best is still yet to come for Willy.

 

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At number four we have one of Nylander’s best friends as well as biggest rivals in David Pasternak. Pasta was drafted 17 spots after Nylander in the 2014 entry draft and has been one of Boston’s biggest stars ever since. He broke out as a star producer in 2016-17 and has torn up the NHL ever since, becoming one of the league’s more prolific goal scorers and a perennial 80 plus point player. The speedy Czech has put up over 100 points twice in his career now, doing it both of the previous two seasons and is projected to finish right around the mark once again this year in what is considered to now be a down year for him. He garnered some highly prestigious accolades including the Rocket Richard Trophy in 2020 for the most goals scored that season as well as being named to the Czechia roster for the world cup in 2016 well before being established as the franchise player he is today. He also is one of very few current NHL players to achieve a 60 goal season, having done so in 2023-24. Unfortunately for the winger, the Bruins are aging and on the decline. If he hopes to continue the days of 60 goal seasons he’ll likely need a change of scenery. Vancouver has cap space this season, just saying.

 

For number three, no this is not biased, the team is really just that deep! Once again another Toronto Maple Leaf it’s Mitch Marner. Where do you even start with a player like Marner? Now rendered as a Canadian hero for his performance at the 4 Nations Faceoff, Marner has been one of the best playmakers in the NHL since his sophomore year in 2018. At 2017 years old now Marner has yet however to find the success he’s looking for in regular NHL action. He’s in the midst of a career year projected to finish with over 100 points for the first time and has an expiring contract pending this summer. Marner has been surrounded by talent since entering the league, clocking most of his minutes alongside one of; Matthews, Tavares, or Kadri. This in no way takes away from what he’s done as it serves solely as a guide for the mentorship that he’s received. Like Nylander he is dynamic and incredibly electric to watch, almost looking like a little kid hopped up on Mountain Dew when he’s on the ice, weaving and maneuvering often finishing plays with the most flashy pass imaginable, Marner is going to get a big payday coming this summer as he deserves.

 

In our number two spot is the newly acquired by the Carolina Hurricanes, Mikko Rantanen. The new Finish Flash is an absolute monster on the ice, some comparing him to a moose as he stands at 6 ‘4 however he is probably faster than your average moose. Having “grown up” in the league playing alongside MacKinnon in Colorado, Rantanen has blossomed into one of the most elite players in the game today. Breaking out in the 2018 season his career has been on a steady upward trajectory seeming to top the previous season every year. This culminated in a 2022 Stanley Cup for the Avs where he was a cornerstone in pulling the Avalanche to the top of the mountain. See what I did there? Rantanen is a beast in all on ice situations and has now added a 100 point player to his description list having done it both of the previous two seasons. With his contract expiring come June, he will likely become one of the top paid players in the NHL and had to be traded because he was deemed unaffordable by the stacked Colorado roster. Now playing in Carolina he’s elevated the Eastern team to a real cup contender as he chases his second and more importantly “that bag” this summer.

 

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At number one I’m sure to nobody’s surprise is Nikita Kucherov. Since joining the league he’s been a generational talent and it begs the question as to why he was drafted so late? Kucherov went late in the second round to the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2011 and this was mainly due to his size as well as “the Russian factor”. Even today tons of players are looked over simply because of their size, that’s why so many great players like Kucherov and even fellow teammate Point were drafted so late yet have blossomed into such studs in the NHL. Additionally “the Russian factor” plays a role for many russian born players because of the worry that they will choose to stay over in Russia as opposed to making the jump to the NHL, usually because of the historic tension between Russia and the West. Kucherov though has been such a generational talent since entering the league, being a perennial 100 plus point player and having won several awards such as MVP and the points title multiple times. He put up 144 points last season, nearing Connor McDavid records and in doing so, slamming his previous seasons best of 128. Nikita Kucherov is one of a kind with one of the best sticks in the league he scores like it’s nothing and dishes some of the best passes we’ve ever seen. He truly is a generational status player. 

 

Is there anyone you think I snubbed off this list? Who would you have as your top five right wingers in the NHL? This is the current top five easily, and personally I don’t see this list changing anytime all that soon.

Canada Hangs on To Battle For Gold

Following a five to three victory over Finland, Canada has advanced to the 4 Nations Faceoff Final where they will take on their neighbour the US for the second time in three games. Canada, coming off a three to one  defeat to The States on Saturday came out strong against the Fins scoring three first period goals on 11 shots. Canada, with their fate in their own hands, needed the regulation win to advance and they sat firmly in the driver’s seat for nearly 55 minutes of this game but a late game speed bump almost threw the train off the rails.

 

With under seven minutes remaining in regulation Finland managed to get one on the board off a bar down snipe from Esa Lindell. Just minutes later with under two remaining Granlund striked again for Finland getting them to within two. Under a minute later the Fins potted another, once again coming from Granlund and Canada had just a one goal lead with a minute remaining. While breaking out of their zone an errand pass to Granlund leads to Crosby recovering the stray puck and icing it in the Finnish net and sealing the game, punching Canada’s ticket to the much anticipated final against their southern neighbour, the United States.

 

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Canada switched some things up while leaving some glaring issues in their roster going into this game. Head coach Jon Cooper promoted his fellow Lightning player Brayden Point to the first line alongside Connor McDavid and Mark Stone. The lightning star has had a phenomenal tournament up to this point driving play and acting as a shot of adrenaline for the team every time he steps onto the ice. The promotion showed dividend immediately with an early goal from McDavid followed by point getting one of his own later in the period. Canada also went back to Jordan Binnington between the pipes for the third straight game of this tournament. Binnington, although he played well against the US he did give up a few softies that ultimately were the difference makers. Across his career playing for the Canadian national team, Binnington has a sub .900 save percentage including in this tournament. Goaltending was not deemed the team’s strong suit heading into this tournament but they have options available. Adin Hill who’s rode the bench for the first three games of this tournament is chomping at the bit looking for his opportunity which may come against the US on Thursday. Hill, a former Stanley Cup champion, has put up good numbers on the first place in the Pacific Vegas Golden Knights this season. He’s also proven himself Internationally having held the fort down for Canada in the 2021 world championships. The Canadian starter hasn’t looked composed in this tournament and taking a look at Hill could be what the Canadians need to take their second meeting with the US.

 

A few line shuffles and even a goaltender change likely won’t be enough if Canada looks to capture Gold from the US though. As we saw in their first meeting, the US did a fantastic job of boxing Canada out and keeping them to the perimeter with the puck. The Canadians struggled to generate high danger offence with an Elite trio of Werenski, Fox, and Slavin boxing the forwards out and making them struggle to find open ice. Charlie McAvoy was a beast for the states and appeared to be stapled to the side of Connor McDavid anytime the two were on the ice together, even laying out the body on a few occasions making it frustrating for the Canadian big guns to get going. Canada will have to change the way they play as a whole if they look to steal this tournament from the top to bottom powerhouse States. Firstly they will need to utilize their speed a heck of a lot more off the rush. It’s no easy feat when the US has elite skaters on their backend that can turn on a time, but Canada didn’t use it enough on Saturday. They have the speed and need to try and catch the American defenders off guard as opposed to the stop and turn they consistently played at the US blueline. The addition of Cale Makar will be a monumental to Canada’s chances, having missed their number one defenseman due to illness in the prior meeting. Additionally the US will be without Matthew Tkachuck who has been arguably their best forward in the tournament. 

 

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Most importantly for Canada they need their stars to be game breakers heading into their final matchup. Don’t get me wrong, both MacKinnon and McDavid have consistently put up points, they need these players to make game breaking plays in the heat of battle. We’ve seen flashes of it with McDavids goal to open the scoring last game, however aside from a few bursts from each their overarching game looked flatter than usual and made them not stand out. These are the two best forwards in the world and need to have a full game showing to beat a juggernaut like this year’s USA team. Makar being back will significantly help the backend but he needs to do his thing as well. He’s shown flashes of brilliance against Finland and Sweden, but needs to be that supersonic whirlpool using his speed to enter the zone and draw defenders in at the blue line. If Canada’s top end talent can kick it into their top gear, the Canadians have more than just a fighting chance of bringing home glory to their country.

 

Without a doubt this has potential to be the greatest game of hockey ever played. The bitterest of rivals in the highest skill era in history. Whether you’re an American or a Canadian the first game between these two was what you’d classify as a “heart in your throat” game. Many of the players competing in this tournament are representing their country for the first time and want to make their nation proud. If there was any doubt about how serious these games would be taken and how hard the players would try, they would’ve been put to rest when the two teams clashed, not twice but three times in the opening nine seconds of Saturday’s tilt, making the ice out to be a gladiator arena more than a surface for sport. Make no mistake NHL teammates or not this is the hottest rivalry in all of hockey and there are no friends when these nations square off.

Sidney Crosby The Maple King

Hockey Canada has had generational talent coming in and out like a revolving door, but there is one player that stands out from the rest. The Canadians have won 37 Championships at the International level (excluding world juniors) and have seen the likes of Mario Lemieux, and Wayne Gretzky lace up the skates and bare the Maple Leaf. However I’m here to tell you that Sidney Crosby is the greatest player to ever play for Team Canada in International competition.

 

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Crosby’s first taste of International Hockey was at the 2004 World Junior Championships where he registered five points in six games including being the youngest player to score for Canada at the tournament. Just one year later he captained the World Junior team where they steamrolled the Russians 6-1 to capture gold. In that year’s tournament Sid the kid finished with six goals and nine points in just six games, a statement performance before ever even having touched NHL ice. Following his first professional season he went back to the International stage where he put up 16 points in 9 games, a lesser tournament but still… you get the point.

 

It was nearly half a decade before Sid got to represent his nation again at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games. For myself and millions of other Canadians, this is a particularly special memory. Although I was just seven years old, I remember being downtown the day of the gold medal game against the United States. I remember the excitement and buzz in the air, the sea of red as I walked downtown with a family friend. This was for myself and many others what made me fall in love with hockey. Sidney Crosby inspired an entire generation of hockey fans with one singular moment. After captaining the men’s National team all the way to a bitter gold medal game against the US, the game came down to overtime, the next goal wins it all. It was here where Crosby cemented his legacy in Canadian hockey history at just 22 years old. Off what seemed like a broken play in the corner, Canadian winger Jarome Iginla recovered the puck along the half wall, passing it to a streaking Sidney Crosby who was caught in a now iconic moment yelling “iggy”. Crosby as fast as it got on his stick released it past the American goaltender scoring “the golden goal” one of the most iconic in hockey history. Sid finished the tournament with seven points in seven games along with being a Canadian treasure. Four years later Canada was competing for olympic gold once again this time in Sochi. The Canadians played Sweden this time around where they yet again captured gold with a 3-0 win. Crosby again added to his legacy with the goal to go up by two, dishing a sweet backhand past the left pad of Swedish goaltender Henrik Lundqvuist. This was Sid’s only goal of the tournament, but came at the most crucial moment. To this point Crosby had played at the highest of International levels having captained Canada both times and capturing gold with a goal in each.

 

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Two years removed from Sochi, the NHL announced the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. This was the first World Cup since 2004 where the Canadians won. With his Olympic pedigree it was a no brainer for Canada to yet again name Crosby the team’s leader. Crosby absolutely devoured this tournament putting up ten points in just ten games against the world’s best. Canada defeated Team Europe 2-0 in the best of  3 series defending their 12 year title as World Cup champions. He scored the first goal of the tournament while linemate Brad Marchand scored the last on a shorthanded goal to win it for team Canada. Although Crosby didn’t score the goal to elevate Canada to the win, his influence on this team and game runs far more deep.  It’s clear that Marchand’s time on Crosby’s line vastly improved him as a player as it has with so many such as former penguin linemate Jake Guentzel. Crosby has helped lead Canada to multiple world championships while also leading individuals off the ice. Keep in mind Crosby displayed this World Cup performance with an extremely shortened summer having just come off his first of back to back cups.

 

It would be nine whole years before Crosby would get to represent Canada again. The NHL having not allowed for its players to compete in both the 2018 and 2022 Olympics, forced many players to miss out on an opportunity at the Canadian national team, and even put into question if we’d ever see Sid suit up for the country again. At the conclusion of the 2024 NHL All-Star game the league announced that this year’s (2025) All-Star game would be replaced with a new event called the 4 Nations Faceoff. This would be a tournament where 4 nations; Canada, USA, Finland, and Sweden would face off in a two week long best on best tournament. Of course when this was announced everyone knew Crosby would be on the team, but would he be its leader? After all, a team composed of MacKinnon, Makar, and of course McDavid. However the speculation was put to rest this past December when Crosby was named the team’s captain. These 4 nations have one game to go with Canada and the US once again facing off in the final. To this point in the tournament Crosby has continued to show that he is a gamer at the international level having notched 5 points in 3 games one of which being albeit an empty netter but at the clutches of moments as it seemed imminent that Finland was going to tie it and crush Canada’s gold dreams. 

 

The 2026 Winter Olympics is right around the corner and Crosby has shown that he absolutely still has it. Will he still be the captain for Canada? Well that’s to be seen. Any questions surrounding if he would be on next year’s Olympic team have been firmly put to rest as Crosby will continue to dominate at the International level potentially until retirement. It’s expected that the torch will be passed to Connor McDavid as we’ve seen him dominate this year’s tournament but who knows. Regardless Sid the (not so anymore) kid’s time is slowly reaching its end and our opportunity to see him play for Canada is dwindling. So the best thing you can do as a Canadian right now is sit back, relax and enjoy the ride that Crosby, our Maple King is taking us on.

These are the 5 Greatest MCU Movies

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is arguably the biggest film universe in the world today. With new movies and shows releasing several times a year, there’s always content for you MCU lovers. The universe began all the way back in 2008 with the release of Iron Man. At the time superhero movies were… well… not popular. Several attempts at movie adaptations for superheroes had been attempted, most of which having flopped aside from the Xmen movies and the original Spiderman trilogy which showed a glimpse of just how popular this movie genre could become. The universe has grown exponentially from even the first crossover in 2010’s Iron Man 2 where Iron Man and Nick Fury met for the first time putting the MCU in motion. With so much variety and so many watching options there is almost guarantee that the MCU has something for you to watch whether it’s alone or with the entire family. Today I’m counting what I think are five greatest films in the MCU.

 

My number five spot goes to Captain America: The Winter Soldier. This is a movie that has only gotten better with age, and that’s because at first glance it might seem boring or uneventful, but there are layers to this movie that I caught upon rewatching. I was 11 years old when I went to see this movie in theatres and because there was no highflying superhero or villain and a lot of talking and interactions I wasn’t able to appreciate this film the way I do today. I mean government conspiracy and espionage? Take my money. The plot of this movie being that Captain America’s childhood best friend Bucky Barnes actually survived his fall to death from the first movie and was captured by German soldiers where he was brainwashed and subjected to the same super soldier serum that was given to Steve Rogers to be a “Hydra” hitman, The Winter Soldier only for him to not remember Steve and be this movies antagonist was brilliant. The entire story unraveling of Hydra having secretly infiltrated SHIELD long ago and working under their noses was captivating. However this is one of the few movies in the universe that won’t be of great interest to kids, instead pandering far more to the older teen and adult demographic. Overall I would give this movie a solid 8/10.

 

The fourth best movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is the first Avengers movie that was released in 2012. This was a generational box office release and in many ways the first of its time. With major successes in the first two Iron Man’s, Captain America, and Thor, Marvel finally had the greenlight to bring together everyone’s favourite heroes for the first live action Avengers movie and it did not disappoint. THe movie picked up right where Thor left off with the Tesseract being in possession of SHIELD and Loki having gotten away, the film opens with his attempt to steal back the tesseract where Hawkeye is introduced being one of the guards before Loki brainwashed him to help the god of mischief. The character scripts of this movie are top tier and some of the interactions between Captain America and Iron Man are pure gold having only been amplified with rewatches and seeing how the two have grown over the course of the sequential movies. The post credit scene having Thanos make his first appearance and foreshadow the next seven years of Marvel movies was perfect. There’s little issues with this movie and acts as a phenomenal way to first introduce our heroes to each other moving forward. I would give this movie an 8.5/10.

 

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Coming in at number three and this might be a shock, but I love Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Up to this point in the MCU we hadn’t gotten much variety in landscape and ambience. Shang Chi’s dark neo city vibe combined with Ninja’s and palaces made for a fun and exciting story that felt new and vastly different from its predecessors. This was also coming off the back of Endgame still and needed to be a stand alone story that wasn’t simply recreating or trying to duplicate the previous era. The movie does a good job of capturing the dark and serious plot of the movie while meshing comedic timing, most prominently with the return of “the mandarin”. Shang Chi’s origin story was captivating and relatable to the same extent that helped elevate other popular movies and heroes like Spiderman. Moreover this crew was casted to perfection with Simu Liu being the perfect actor to portray Shang Chi. It’s again, like most movies on this list, one that continues to get better upon rewatching. This movies deserves a 9/10

 

At number two is Avengers Endgame. This may be a controversial spot to put it as it’s one of the highest grossing box office hits of all time and is the cumulation of 12 years of storytelling, but hold your judgement until we get number to number one. Endgame is perfect in almost every way imaginable. It has every hero from the universe to this point in it, it has interactions between characters we never thought we’d see. The story is told to sheer perfection, practically down to every minute detail. The only quam I have with this movie is that it can be hard to follow if you haven’t paid attention to the MCU story up to that point. However even that is made up for in the action that’s packed in during the final act of the film. If you’ve followed along to every prior movie this was a love letter to you. The fan service in this movie was abundant and rewarded those who have been die hard fans of the series. This movie gets a 10/10.

 

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Now it’s time for what you’ve been waiting for. My number one film in the MCU is Spiderman No Way Home. This might seem like a biased pick, but let me explain. Similar to Endgame, I feel this movie was executed to perfection from start to finish. They manage to provide lumps of fan service while not making it the end all be all of the movie. The only potential flaw I see in this movie is the cameos. There is an abundance of cameos, but I don’t deduct points for that as it is still part of the movie and all the cameos that occurred contributed and boosted the story while rewarding longtime marvel watchers with nostalgia. I have this at the top with endgame because I feel the watcher gets a mirrored experience without having to go through all the previous movies. Seeing the past iterations of Spiderman with their villains is honestly on par with endgames while making the nostalgia and reward more accessible to the viewer. This film also receives a 10/10.

 

There are far more than 5 great MCU movies, but these are my top five and I think that if you were to watch these individually without wanting to watch the entire cinematic universe, these are a great place to start for a one off enjoyable movie experience. The MCU is still always expanding and this time next year you or I could have an entirely different top 5 list. What would be your top 5?

Top 5 NHL Defenseman in 2025

Over the years hockey has developed, grown, and changed in numerous ways. One of which is the way positions are played, more specifically defence. What was once seen as a good defenseman is vastly different from what is considered one today, expectations have changed. Long gone are the days of sitting back blocking shots and stopping goals. In today’s game a good defenseman is classified as someone who can do that while also having an elite skating and puck moving ability with a touch of scoring. Bobby Orr was a pioneer in the position paving the way for modern d-men with his quick first step and end to end goals, he made the position cool for kids growing up in the sport. Today we’re going to be looking at the current top 5 defenseman in the NHL.

 

Starting with number five is Josh Morrissey of the Winnipeg Jets. Morrissey, drafted 13th overall by Winnipeg in 2013 broke into the league ten years ago and has steadily gotten better with every passing season. Having played the first few years of his career in the shadows of names like Jacob Trouba and Dustin Byfuglian he was never looked to, to be the guy for the Jets blueline. Since being thrown into the deep end as Winnipeg’s number one guy he’s thrived having maintained steadily climbing point totals while playing a shutdown brand of hockey. He’s a great skater and transitions the puck well in all directions of the ice. He’s been a major part of why Winnipeg has found their recent resurgence over the past couple years and it’s time that he finally gets his flowers. Having been named to the Canadian National team for the 4 Nations Faceoff it appears the hockey world is finally catching on to just how good Josh Morrissey actually is. The veteran of over 600 NHL games is sitting at just below a point per game pace this season and has made a real strong argument for himself to be considered a finalist in this year’s Norris trophy voting.

 

At the number four spot for NHL D-men we’re talking about Adam Fox. It was an unconventional road to the NHL for Fox to say the least. Having been signed by the Calgary Flames in round three of 2016, Fox notified the team shortly after having been drafted that he had no plans to sign with them. He was then dealt to Carolina in what today looks like a blockbuster along with Dougie Hamilton in exchange for Noah Hanifin and Elias Lindholm. Fox was quite open about being only willing to sign with certain teams, potentially even just the New York Rangers. Despite this, Carolina made the trade for him hoping they could convince him to play, a losing effort and so he was later traded yet again to the Rangers before ever even having stepped on NHL ice. In just his second season Fox won the Norris trophy for best defenseman in the league that season after putting up an impressive 47 points in 55 games during the Covid-19 shortened season. He’s continued to grow and develop his game as a perennial 70 plus point defenseman while being a fast skater with a wicked point shot. I’m positive we still haven’t seen the best from Fox and he will continue to show why he is among the elite.

 

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Coming in on this list’s number three spot is the Columbus Blue Jackets, Zach Werenski. Werenski, similar to Morrissey, has not gotten the respect he deserves. Since breaking into the league in the 2017 season, he’s been among the most elite of defenseman having consistently been putting up fantastic point totals on what’s been for the most part a bottom feeding team. In his rookie season he finished as a finalist for the Calder trophy (rookie of the year) and has never looked back. Injuries have put the young blueliner on the shelf for a large portion of his career to this point and has hurt his fairing in the media. I mean, it’s hard to judge a player that doesn’t always play right? Just two years removed from a year he missed almost entirely due to injury, Werenski is making it known that he is one of the top dogs in this league having made a strong case for himself to be in the running for this year’s Norris trophy. He has put his team on his back and helped elevate Columbus to within a finger tips grasp of a wildcard spot in the east with just a quarter of the season remaining, making him a worthy mention when talking about this season’s MVP. Additionally he was named to the US National team at the 4 Nations, where he has been playing top minutes in helping his country reach the final. Having finally had a healthy season, Werenski is showing that he is as elite as they come and don’t be surprised if this is the player we see moving forward.

 

Here is where this list changes from the elite players to generational. At number two is Cale Makar. The Avalanche superstar has won numerous awards in his young career so far. At just 26 he has won the Norris once although has been nominated as a finalist nearly every season he’s played. He won rookie of the year in 2020, a Stanley Cup in 2022, along with the Conn-Smythe for playoff MVP that season. He is a generational defenceman and has even garnered compliments of potentially being better than Bobby Orr. Having well over a point per game career as a defenseman is no small feat and he continues to take over games with his exceptional foot speed, sharp edges and quick hands. Having him on the ice is almost like having a fourth and best forward that is also your best defenseman. His game is so well rounded and polished it would be easier to talk about what he’s not good for. 

 

Which is nothing.

 

The best defenseman in the NHL currently is drumroll please… Quinn Hughes. Like Makar, Hughes is a generational talent and at just 25 years old has already solidified himself as the best Canuck to ever touch Vancouver ice. He currently sits just 17 points back from franchise leader Alex Edler in points by a defenseman in well under half the games played. He is coming off a norris winning season and is currently the front runner to go back to back which hasn’t been done since Nicklas Lidstrom did it in the mid 2000’s. He’s a lightning rod for the Canucks squad and was putting the team on his back for several months earlier this season. His name is likely to be considered in MVP talks this coming summer and don’t be surprised if this is just the start for the franchise’s generational talent.

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The game has evolved so much and there are so many great defencemen in the NHL today. The skill of the game is at an all time high and we’re seeing defenseman play a style of hockey that players in the 90’s even could never have dreamed of. Who are your top 5 D-men in the NHL today?

Top Ski Spots in BC

British Columbia is a dream destination for a skier, from the mountain ranges to its landscape. The province houses some of the best ski resorts in the entire world. From easy, powdery back-country slopes to difficult black diamond runs, BC has all types of slopes for both beginners and experts. This is my breakdown of the top ski resorts, ranked on terrain variety, snow conditions, and overall experience in BC.

 

Starting with a fan favourite, Whistler Blackcomb. This resort needs very little introduction. It is the largest ski resort in North America and arguably the best in British Columbia, drawing skiers and snowboarders from across the world. What makes Whistler exceptional is its size and variety. With over 8000 acres of skiable terrain, it offers something for everyone. Whistler Blackcomb has incredibly varied terrain, from beginner slopes to some of the most challenging runs in North America, perfect for all ages and abilities. Whether you’re after adrenaline-fueled steep runs or family-friendly cruises, Whistler Blackcomb has it all. Whistler Blackcomb is not actually one mountain but two, linked by the record-breaking Peak 2 Peak Gondola, ensuring a beautiful and memorable experience. With over 200 in-bound runs, it’s not hard to find something that suits your speed. Whether you want to cruise down a wide groomed trail or seek out something steep, or even backcountry areas, there’s something for everyone. One of the main reasons why Whistler Blackcomb is always at the top of most resort rankings is its snow conditions, which are second to none. It sees an average 462 inches annually, which pretty much guarantees phenomenal powder. With deep snow coating the mountain right through the season, the ski resort’s capacity for making snow maintains the area in decent conditions even on warm days. Complementing it all at Whistler is a village filled with apres-ski opportunities with a number of lively bars, restaurants, and shops. Whether you want to cozy up in a chalet or dine in style, Whistler’s village is all about versatility. Whistler Blackcomb gives an unbeatable ski vacation to anyone with access to boundless terrain, fresh snow, and a plethora of amenities. 

 

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Next up is Revelstoke. It’s a well-guarded secret, but renowned for deep snow and heavy terrain; a dream for advanced and expert skiers. It’s also one of the few places in the world where heli-skiing is possible, opening up remote and virgin powder. What really sets Revelstoke apart however, is its deep powder which is considered some of the best in North America. This resort averages 462 inches of snow each season, and the high altitude location guarantees  long lasting snow throughout the winter season. The snow is lighter and drier, perfect for those looking to carve through fresh powder. For expert skiers, the terrain in Revelstoke is a treasure. Boasting the continent’s highest drop of 5620 feet, some of the most exciting plunges in the world are here. Everything from steep bowls, to gladed skiing, to open slopes. As great as this sounds, it is a fabulous resort, but definitely not for those who are taking their first beginner lessons. However for those seeking a challenge, look no further. Remember the heli-skiing I mentioned? Well they offer that and it’s without a doubt a once in a lifetime opportunity to get some fresh powder. The heli-ski operations of Revelstoke are amongst the best in the world, which takes this resort to the next level of being the adventure of a lifetime. While Revelstoke doesn’t have the same amenities and an apres-ski scene as bigger resorts, it makes up for those with unbeatable powder and thrilling terrain. It’s definitely a place to visit for advanced skiers and powder seekers.

 

Big White, located in Kelowna, is known for its light, dry powder and family-friendly atmosphere, ranking it as one of the best family ski resorts in BC and is perfect for you intermediate skiers. With abundant snowfall and open runs, this mountain is a must visit for all those who love relaxed skiing. One of the major features of Big White is its fantastic snow conditions throughout the year. With more than 750 inches of annual snowfall, this resort is famous for its dry powder, attracting skiers globally. Snow conditions are very reliable throughout the season, which makes it a favourite among powder seekers. This resort is especially suitable for families and beginner skiers. With numerous easy to intermediate runs and ski schools employing excellent instructors, it is an ideal place for those beginning to ski or families with young children. Big White also houses a range of non-ski activities for the whole family, including ice skating, snow tubing, and snowshoeing making it truly a winter wonderland. The apres-ski is relaxed and family friendly, as there are restaurants and bars around the resort that are great for relaxing after a day on the slopes, but it is not your typical wild nightlife resort like Whistler. The atmosphere at Big White is cozy and inviting for those families wanting to enjoy the mountains without a party scene. Overall, Big White offers brilliant snow skiing with facilities that are family friendly, and a casual atmosphere. It’s an excellent choice for all ages and skill levels who want a real ski vacation without too much of a crowd.

 

Kicking Horse, located in Golden, is home to expert terrain, hence among the best options for advanced skiers. The steep and challenging slopes of the resort are mixed with great views, which include panoramic scenes of the surrounding mountain ranges. Lying in the Purcell Mountains, Kicking Horse is a favourite of those seeking adventure and adrenaline. The terrain here is steep and rugged, comprising black diamond and double black diamond runs. This would be an ideal choice for those who wish to push themselves on the slopes. Kicking Horse has some of the best alpine terrains in BC, with wide-open bowls, steep chutes, and powder filled glades. It is also renowned for having one the largest vertical drops in North America, standing at 4133 feet. Kicking Horse averages 300 inches of snowfall annually, which is powder skiing at its finest. The real attractors of top skiers from the world are in fact challenging terrain and steep runs. At this resort, you will see excellent views of the Rocky Mountains, providing you with a spectacular backdrop to an exhilarating ski trip. While Kicking Horse is on the shorter end of specific terrain for absolute novices, it’s definitely a dream for advanced ones seeking a challenge. Its remoteness translates to fewer crowds, making the ski experience more peaceful and undisturbed. 

 

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Sun Peaks, with its small village and all types of terrain for every caliber of skier, provides much more relaxed skiing than the rest of the major BC resorts. Located in Kamloops, it is a favourite among those who want an ambience that’s less chaotic without losing the skiing experience. This resort offers over 4200 acres of skiable terrain, with a mix of beginner, intermediate, and advanced runs. The variety of terrain is spread across three mountains: Mount Morrissey, Mount Sundance, and Tod Mountain. This makes it rather easy for skiers to find runs that match their skill level. The resort is known for its excellent grooming and well-maintained trails, making it an ideal spot for intermediate skiers. Sun Peaks also has an impressive snowfall record, averaging 300 inches per year, and its versatile terrain makes for an excellent choice for families and mixed groups. The charming, pedestrian friendly village adds to the overall appeal, offering a variety of shops, restaurants, and apres-ski options. Sun Peaks may not have the steep terrain of some other BC resorts, but it is a well-rounded resort with a friendly feel and plenty of assortment for all skiers.

 

From the towering peaks of Whistler Blackcomb to the powder-filled bowls of Revelstoke, British Columbia offers some of the best ski resorts in the world. Whether you want expansive terrain, deep powder, or a family friendly atmosphere, there’s a resort to suit your desires. Whistler Blackcomb tops the list for its size, variety, and world-class amenities, but each resort has its unique appeal. Whatever your skills or preferences, BC’s ski resorts promise an unforgettable winter outing.

The Brockstar is Leaving The Building

Drafted 23rd overall in the 2015 NHL entry draft, Brock Boeser has been a household name for Canucks fans since making his debut in 2017. He leads the franchise in goals since making the jump to the pro’s and has been a leader both on and off the ice. With the somewhat bumpy path the Canucks have been on this season and his contract set to expire this coming summer, we may be seeing the curtain call for our favourite Brockstar.

 

Heading into the last of a 3 year, almost 20 million dollar contract Boeser put up 40 goals and over 73 points for a career best season in 2024, setting high expectations for himself heading into this season. However unlike last season things haven’t been smooth sailing for him or the team. The Canucks are currently 26-18-11 just barely above the playoff line, a stark contrast from last season’s success. If we reverse the clock 12 months the team was amidst the top of the league and you could hear cries to resign the winger ringing throughout the streets. Winning silences noise and there was little noise around Boeser’s potential departure when the club was on top, This season however is rapidly approaching the March 7th trade deadline and the team is going to be forced to make a decision on what they want to do with the almost 28 year old winger. Reports have surfaced that Boeser’s camp is looking for north of 8 million dollars per season on an 8 year term. The Canucks are more than capable of meeting this with an expected almost 30 million in cap space this summer. With the salary cap projections for the next 3 seasons now made public, an 8 by 8 contract for Boeser would put him right around where he’s at now in terms of cap percentage just two years from now. What the decision really comes down to is if the club see’s the long term fit for their top goal scorer.

 

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Boeser has a history of injuries as well as dry spells and that might be something Vancouver has to consider when looking at a contract extension. Just two years ago Boeser had a career worst season notching only 18 goals along with 55 points with a minus twenty while getting near top line minutes. A statline like this is not something you want to gamble 8 million on. There’s a market right now for proven goalscorers like Boeser who despite being streaky have shown they can produce consistently at a high level. Boeser also led the team in goals during the playoffs last season and that’s arguably more important to look at when deciding on a player’s future with the team. He;s not the fastest winger but he’s a smart hockey player and he thrives at finding open ice, making him an invaluable asset to pair with a playdriver such as… Elias Pettersson. The two found great success in their earlier years in the league, although having seen little ice time up until recently with Brock being glued to the former Canuck JT Miller’s side over the past few seasons.  It’s also important to mention that Boeser hasn’t had the easiest past few years in his personal life with the unfortunate passing of his father Duke who was a beloved member of the Canuck family. 

 

If Brock Boeser is a proficient goal scorer, a smart player, and a leader on the team why trade him?

 

The truthful answer is it really depends on what the offers on the table for Brock Boeser are. It’s a fast changing league and around this time team’s are always looking for the extra piece to bolster their roster and put them over the edge to contend for the Stanley Cup. We’ve seen similar profiling players like Thomas Hertl be moved at just last year’s trade deadline. Because teams are desperate they tend to overextend themselves when trying to gear up for the post season and pay more than they should for a player. A good example of this is when Tampa traded almost their entire draft for a depth guy in Tanner Jeannot a couple seasons ago. If someone like Jeannot can get a return like that, it’s hard to imagine there isn’t a desperate team that Vancouver could pray on to pull off a robbery on for Brock Boeser. Don’t forget that cap space is in itself a major asset. We’ve seen that in recent weeks as when the organization traded JT Miller for a decent haul, they also gained 8 million in cap space that could be used this July. Players like Mikko Rantanen and Mitch Marner are set to expire for the July 1st free agent frenzy. As good as Boeser is, players like Marner and Rantanen are on an entirely different level.

 

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With every passing day it feels increasingly more likely that Boeser won’t be a Canuck this time next year. If you’re Vancouver general manager Patrick Allvin you cannot let a player of Boeser’s calibre walk for nothing. Brock Boeser leaving for nothing would be a monumental failure on the part of management as he’s been one of the cornerstone players for this franchise and you can’t let players like that leave without an asset in return. This gives the Canucks essentially a little under a month to make a decision on what they’d like to do, however recent reports have said that the Canucks aren’t close on a contract. 

 

It’s time to get real on if the Canucks should trade the American winger.

 

Although he’s been a major part of this franchise for the better part of a decade it’s important to evaluate what he is. Is he a consistent goal scorer? Yes. Does he make this team better on a daily basis? Yes. But he’s also a powerplay specialist and ultimately in the grand scheme of things a very good complimentary player. You could even go as far to say that he is one of the elite. He’s also aging and Canucks management has to look at the very real possibility that just three years into this contract he could be a discount on Temu Ovechkin. He’s already not the fastest skater and isn’t as consistent 5 on 5 as he is with the extra man, he puts up decent defensive results but this team needs to look to the future and not at trying to preserve the past. It’s likely we’ve seen Boeser’s best days last season, although he has shown that he can do it multiple times, there’s always been something that’s stopped him whether it’s a drought or an injury and that’s a lot to gamble when trying to build a cup contender.

 

Brock Boeser is a fan favourite and there’s no doubt that moving on from him would be a sad day in Vancouver, but the team needs to take a very real look at their future and what they need going forward. As great as his time here has been, the low’s are something that can’t be repeated going forward with a core that’s shifting into their prime Vancouver needs to decide whether or not to resign the Brockstar or if moving on is in their best interest.

4 Nations Preview

We are just three days away from the inaugural 4 Nations Faceoff tournament kicking off in Montreal. This will be the first time that we’ve seen best on best hockey since the World Cup of Hockey in 2016 almost ten years ago. The tournament this year is being held during what would usually be the all-star break and is expected to be a recurring event pending the success of this year’s tournament. The all-star game has gotten stale and overly gimmicky in recent years and serves as entertainment to younger hockey fans as opposed to its original purpose of showcasing some of the NHL’s top talent. The four teams that will be facing off (pardon the pun) in this year’s tournament will be Canada, United States, Finland, and Sweden.

 

First off it’s important to note that we aren’t entirely sure what exactly to expect. As much as we all hope that it’s taken seriously by the players it’s possible that we see a variation of the all-star game at this year’s tournament. Ultimately nobody wants to get hurt in games that don’t count towards winning the Stanley Cup and so it is an entirely real possibility that the players participating may hold back a little on the ice not wanting to risk injury. We’ve already seen a number of players withdraw from the tournament all together to ensure their health going forward this season such as; Quinn Hughes for the US and Alex Pietrangelo for Canada. However it is more than likely that we will see players playing their hearts out in hopes of taking home glory for their country. It’s possible that a good showing here could land you an invite to next year’s Olympic roster where NHL players are expected to be allowed to participate for the first time in 12 years. Moreover for some players like; Brad Marchand, and Mark Stone this could potentially be their last opportunity to represent their country on the global stage. Regardless it’s been far too long since we’ve seen NHL players compete internationally and it is sure to be an exhilarating couple weeks in Boston and Montreal.

 

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Starting with the believed to be favourites of this tournament: The United States. The US looks to be the team to beat in this tournament with a high octane forward group as well as a strong built defence core they are sure to be dangerous. Additionally they possess without a doubt the best goaltending trio of the tournament in Hellebuyck, Swayman, and Oettinger backstopping the nation. The loss of Quinn Hughes will likely prove to be a major one with him being the best defenceman in the NHL through 50 games this season. However they will still hold strong with Adam Fox leading the black end, also a former Norris winner and a pinch player that knows how to play when the lights are brightest with his home venue being Madison Square Garden. Hughes’ spot will be filled by breakout sensation from the Senators, Jake Sanderson.  Although Quinn won’t be participating, his younger brother Jack will still be leading The United States offensive charge up front. Additionally the pair of Tkachuck brothers will both be there allowing for a flexible offensive lineup with first line calibre players at every turn. The team will be led by captain Auston Matthews and they look to be the powerhouse of the tournament, but don’t count the next team out.

 

Canada, although not the favourite, is not far behind the US in skill. While there is an argument to be made that their offence core is stronger than the State’s, the defence looks to be marginally weaker with a far inferior goaltending trio. Led by Sidney Crosby, Canada has some of the most lethal firepower up front in the tournament with Connor McDavid and Nathan Mackinnon who are arguably the best two hockey players in the world currently. The names up front distract from the shockingly underrated depth with players like Mitch Marner and Brayden Point expected to see third line minutes. The Defence group is spearheaded by another former Norris winner in Cale Makar and is deemed by many as a top 2 defenceman in the NHL. The group also has veteran presence Drew Doughty who has seen his fair share of success wearing the maple leaf on his chest. The biggest question mark for this team going into the tournament is their goaltending. Historically Canada has always had a strong lineup of goaltender with names like Luongo, Brodeur, and Price to name a few. This will be likely the weakest goaltending group the country has ever seen at the International stage. Adin Hill, likely to be the starting goaltender with Jordan Binnington backing him up, isn’t exactly what you want to see if you’re a Canadian. It’s worth noting that both netminders have played pressure time before both having won a Stanley Cup in the last six years. 

 

Moving on is team Finland. Although possessing likely the weakest roster in the tournament, it’s by no means a team to scoff at. Led up front by generational talents Barkov and Rantanen they will be lethal when their top players are on the ice. They also have an abundance of underrated skilled forwards like; Sebastian Aho, and Roope Hintz. Their defence, although made up of NHL’ers is subpar especially with the glaring hole of Miro Heiskanen who suffered an injury earlier this week. A bright spot for the nation however is their goaltending. Having two elite starters in Saros and Lankinen may be enough to steal the team a game or two.

 

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The final team participating in the tournament is Sweden and they may be the most interesting team here. Unlike Finland they have high end talent up and down their roster, though not as constantly as Canada or the US. Veteran players like Karlsson and Hedman will likely prove invaluable on Sweden’s back end along with highly underrated players like Dahlin, and Forsling. Their Forward core consists of speedy puck moving forwards with a dash of superstar talents like William Nylander and Elias Pettersson. Meshing as a team is a big thing and part of what makes Sweden such a wildcard. If Canada or the US don’t mesh as a group as strongly as Sweden does, they have the roster and capability to catch one of the favourites off guard and potentially steal this tournament. Their goaltending is a bit of a question mark with the recent injury history of the trio but if they can manage to stay healthy, Sweden has the possibility of being the underdog and completing an upset in this tournament.

 

The highly anticipated International showdown is just mere days away and has been talked about for a year now with fans sure to be on the edge of their seats. Some of our favourite team’s players will be playing for another Nation making for a confusing but excited couple weeks ahead. Will the powerhouse US take home the trophy? Will Finland pull off the ultimate underdog story? So many storylines and such little time till the puck drops on the inaugural 4 Nations Faceoff.

The Housing Crisis in Vancouver: A Deepening Challenge

Vancouver, often recognized as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, finds itself in a housing crisis that has reached a critical level. Skyrocketing housing prices, far too little affordable housing, and increasing numbers of people who cannot find a place to live, have driven the city’s housing market into the ranks of the most expensive and unaffordable in the world. This is not only a local crisis but also a complex challenge with deep economic, social, and political roots. The basis of this article is to take a look at the cause, impacts, and efforts being made to deal with Vancouver’s current housing crisis. 

 

Vancouver’s housing market has long been long known for its high prices, but in recent years, the problem has skyrocketed. According to the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver, the benchmark price for a detached home in the city first broke the $2 million mark in 2020 and has continued to rise since then. These are prices that the majority of people cannot afford. As a matter of fact, Vancouver has been ranked among the least affordable cities in the world time and time again with regard to housing, with house prices far outpacing the average income. The same has been highly valued in average price for condominiums and apartments, and Vancouver does not exempt the rental market either. According to the CMHC, rental prices have continued to increase, with the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in some areas surpassing $2500 per month. These prices are simply unattainable to most, and hence the number of people living in overcrowded houses or not having a house has been steadily growing. The affordability gap is particularly obvious when compared to the average income in the city where the median income for a Vancouver household is around $80,000, which is significantly lower than the cost of purchasing a home or even renting a livable apartment. This discrepancy has created a widening divide between those who can afford to live in the city and those who cannot, exacerbating issues of inequality and social fragmentation.

 

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The Vancouver housing crisis is the result of a complex combination of many factors, many of which have developed over decades. While the roots of the problem are vast, some key contributors include a booming population, limited housing supply, foreign investment, and speculation, among many others. Vancouver’s housing supply has failed to keep pace with its population growth. Geographically, there is an ocean to the west, mountains to the north, and the American border to the south that have geographically constrained the city. It has very limited land available for development. Such a low availability of land has made new construction difficult, particularly in high demand urban areas. Furthermore, the city’s zoning laws and  regulations have frequently hampered the kinds of housing being constructed. Long permitting processes, aligned with density and height restrictions in many neighbourhoods, have greatly diminished the building of much needed housing stock. Apart from that, it has also led to a high end luxury housing emphasis rather than the inclusion of affordable options within the reach of many working class individuals. The condominiums and other luxury apartments built by developers have been beyond the reach of most people in Vancouver. This restriction of the housing market has pushed average income earners out of the housing market to farther distances from the city or has forced them into renting instead of buying. 

 

Vancouver’s real estate market has become an international investment destination. Foreign buyers, particularly from China, have been buying into Vancouver both as a hedge and as a status symbol. The outside money has driven the prices up beyond the reach of local buyers. These buyers are not necessarily interested in living in the houses they buy, and quite often the properties remain empty for long periods of time, further depleting the supply of available housing. Besides foreign investment, speculation has also played a big role in Vancouver’s housing crisis. Oftentimes investors buy into properties with the sole aim of flipping them for profit, not to live in. All of this speculative activity has fueled rapid price increases, particularly in the condo market, and have made it increasingly difficult for local buyers to access the market. Additionally speculative buying has also been making the housing market more volatile, with large swings in price based on investor confidence. These challenges, due to their nature and effects, have seen the provincial government take many measures to curb foreign investment; these include the foreign buyers tax that was passed in 2016. Their effectiveness has further been debated as having only contributed to a slight slowing of the rate of price increases rather than addressing the root cause of the problem. During these years, Vancouver has built up a name for its livelihood, mild climatic conditions, and economic booming activities. People started to move to Vancouver for better job opportunities, improvement in the standard of living, and enjoying nature’s proximity, which this city provides. Demand for houses has reached an all time high in this city and its population also grows tremendously in recent decades. This high demand has run the prices up as several people compete for a limited number of homes. In many ways, high demand for housing in Vancouver reflects this city’s success. Rapid growth in the population put burdens on the already existing stock and further deteriorated the affordability crisis. Continuous demand and short supply keep the prices rising, hence local residents finding it hard to get a place to live.

 

The Vancouver housing crisis is as much about an increasingly wide wealth gap as it is about an unaffordably high cost of living. While real estate markets have inflated the city, wages haven’t kept pace with home prices. Vancouver’s median income falls far behind the cost of homeownership, putting basic housing out of reach for many of its residents. This has increased the disparity in the city between the wealthy and the working class population, increasing the division into social fabrics. Aside from this income gap, Vancouver contains a large poor population who are more vulnerable to the housing crisis. In response to the surging cost of housing, many of these residents have been pushed toward precarious living situations: renting substandard units, living with family members, or homelessness. At a personal scale, it meant housing became really basic and is nowadays highly unaffordable by the majority; and it worsened homelessness causing more citizens to either live on the streets temporarily or depend on some living shelters for home. This has also been made worse by the unavailability of affordable housing, as families are often forced to seek housing further out in suburban areas. But the crisis is particularly concerning to young people and first time homebuyers. Many of Vancouver’s younger generation find it simply impossible to buy a house, leading to a growing sense of frustration and uncertainty about the future. It creates an evident generational divide, in which many millennials and Gen Z’ers are left questioning if they will ever own property in the city in which they grew up.

 

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The housing crisis has its impact on local businesses. High housing costs make it hard for workers to afford living near their workplaces, leading to longer commutes and labour shortages in some sectors. Companies struggle to attract and retain employees because of the unaffordable cost of living, hindering economic growth and productivity. Not to mention the cost of renting shop space for business owners. In the fight against the housing crisis, both the federal and provincial governments have taken up different policies to increase the supply of affordable housing to stabilize the market. Other than the foreign buyers tax, rent control, funds for the construction of affordable housing units have been introduced by the provincial government, municipal governments in Vancouver also try to remedy the situation through the approval of new housing programs and rezone areas that were previously at a low density for high rises. The affordable housing demand continues to outstrip supply, and the city’s real estate market is still one of the most expensive in the world. Critics say that much more can be done to deal with the crisis’s root causes by increasing the supply of affordable housing, laying down stricter regulations on speculative buying, and making rent more affordable.

 

The Vancouver housing crisis is deep rooted and very intricate; as such, it desperately asks for immediate attention. On account of the minimal number of affordable houses, the values are skyrocketing, and with the increase in population, more people in vancouver are finding this market hard to reach. Although attempts have been made, much is yet to be done if the city is to remain where people of all income classes can afford to live. Unless stronger steps are taken, Vancouver risks being the city where only the wealthy will thrive, leaving others lagging behind. The future of Vancouver’s housing market hangs in the balance, pending the ability of policy thinkers to come up with substantial solutions that make affordability and access for all a priority.

Sly Cooper Retrospective: Honor Among Thieves

Continuing on in our Sly Cooper Retrospective series, we have the third instalment in the franchise: Sly Cooper Honor Among Thieves. Released in September of 2005, this was the most highly anticipated game in the series. Following the events of Sly 2 there was a lot of uncertainty over the gang’s future. Sly 3 picks up about a year after the last games events where Bentley is now wheelchair ridden, and Murray has stepped away from the gang to explore the spiritual world studying under a guru. Between titles Sly is informed by an old member of his fathers gang about the mysterious “Cooper Vault” which is said to be home to all of the riches that have been stolen and stored by Sly’s bloodline throughout the years. This kicks off the plot for the game of Sly attempting to assemble a gang that has the tools to break into the Cooper Vault. The playable game starts similar to the previous two with a prologue of Sly sneaking through the island security defences to the Vault. As he approaches the Vault he is caught and works to make a quick escape before being captured by a large monster defending the island. It is here where Sly’s life flashes before his eyes and we the player transition to the main game of Sly reliving the events of the game. It is also shown that the owner of the island and this game’s antagonist is a genius baboon by the name of “Dr. M”

 

We’ll get to Dr. M later though.

 

With Sly and Bentley now being the only remaining members of the gang they set out to rebuild themselves starting with getting Murray back. Narrowing down their old friend’s location to somewhere in Italy, the duo sets out to bring him home, only when they arrive there they come to find out there is a mob boss poisoning the city. In the first mission Sly breaks into a police station to try and dig up information on Murrays whereabouts when he runs into an old foe in Dimitri from Sly 2.

 

This becomes a bit of a theme,

 

Dimitri and Sly agree on a deal where Dimitri is broken free in exchange for getting in contact with Murray. When they eventually find their old friend, he appears as an entirely new person and a student of the mystic arts. This is a major contrast from “The Murray” that we got to grow with and love. He explains that he’s there on a task from his guru to unpoison the city of Venice and so the gang agrees to help in hopes of being able to recruit him back into the gang. At the climax of the first episode the mob boss Don Octavio hits Bentley which enrages Murray who comes to the defence of his friend and subsequently bring back his former ego.After cleansing Venice and reuniting, the gang travels to the outback of Australia where Murray intends to inform the guru of his reunion with the gang only to find that minors have captured the guru and have torn apart what they once called home. This episode focuses on freeing the guru and ridding the outback of the minors and in turn recruiting the guru to the gang in lieu of the big heist. As the story continues the gang now looks for a remote vehicle expert which they find in Penelope. She makes a deal with the gang that if they can beat her boss: the Black Baron in a dogfight competition, she’ll leave and join the gang for the Cooper vault job. In a shocking twist she was the Black Baron all along as Sly defeats her while simultaneously recruiting her for the gang. The gang’s next stop is China where once again they run into an enemy of the past, this time the Panda King, former member of the Fiendish Five who killed Sly’s father. After entering a shared meditation state with the Panda King where they relive their showdown from Sly 1, Sly convinces the Panda King to leave the past in the past and join forces for the Cooper vault job in exchange for the freeing of his daughter from tyrant General Tsao. The gang’s final stop before the big heist is Blood Bath Bay, a lawless town that carries on the pirate ways of their ancestors. This is to help Dimitri find his fathers old priceless scuba gear that was buried with hidden treasure, when Captain LeFwee beats them to it and kidnaps Penelope their goal shifts. Ultimately Bentley comes to her rescue and gains a new girlfriend out of it while the gang recovers the gear and is set to start the job. 

 

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The heist picks up where the prologue left off, Sly in the clutches of a ginormous monster mutation. Luckily Carmelita who’s never far behind the Cooper gang’s trail, shows up with boats of mercenaries as they attack the monster that’s controlled by Dr. M. Sly is tossed by the monster causing him a concussion while the gang scrambles to retrieve his cane which was lost in the battle and acts as the key to the Cooper Vault. After retrieving the cane, Sly comes to and devises a plan with Murray and Bentley to make it up to the vault. As the best friends enter the gang they don’t get far before realizing Sly will be the only one capable of moving forward through the vault and so Bentley and Murray are left to fend off any tails Sly might have. While moving through the vault Sly learns about his ancestors with each obstacle course of the vault being designed by them with little tidbits of information. Something the player never got a whole lot of throughout the series to this point. This is until Sly reaches the final area made by his father where his photo is scratched off leaving the player still guessing as to what Sly’s father looked like. Meanwhile in the vault’s lobby Bentley and Murray have a tense faceoff with Dr. M who reveals he was the third member of Sly’s fathers gang and was the brains of his team. He tries to sway Bentley saying the two are overlooked and that their gangs would be nothing without him. This was to no effect as Bentley, not letting himself be manipulated, fights the antagonist off before he eventually escapes down the trail after Sly. The game comes to an end with a final battle between Sly and Dr. M which is interrupted by the arrival of Carmelita. When Dr. M goes to attack Carmelita, Sly jumps in front of the attack being flung across the room and knocked unconscious. Inspector Fox defeats Dr. M and when she goes to check on Sly he pretends to have lost his memory asking who she is as well as himself. Carmelita, seeing her opportunity, tells him that he’s her partner “Constable Cooper” and the two escape the vault as the roof caves in. Sly leaves behind his cane for the gang to find and after weeks turning to months of no contact from Sly, the gang go their own ways. The game ends with Bentley finding Sly with Carmelita embracing on a balcony in Paris when Sly turns his head to Bentley’s direction giving a wink to let him know that he is faking the whole thing.

https://x.com/nocontextsly/status/1871166900744732743

Now that we’ve recapped the story, what is it that made this game so good? Well it’s exactly that, the story. The story of this game was so good for how anticipated it was with a perfect prologue that left the player on a cliffhanger all game waiting to see what happens next. The shocking returns of villains from prior games like the Panda King and Dimitri joining the Cooper gang along with the twist of Dr. M being a part of Sly’s fathers gang was a surprise that left the player on the edge of their seats. Mechanically this game was almost a carbon copy of Sly 2, but the story has much more layers to it. Even with the start of the game having the gang be without Murray gave Sly and Bentley a new dynamic we hadn’t seen before. It felt obvious that something was missing in their interactions. The final heist was one of the most fun missions in the entire series, getting to play as almost every member of the gang and doing their part for the job. 

 

Overall Sly 3 although similar to Sly 2 in so many ways, felt like a shorter, but more layered version of the second. The character development was done to a tee, the underlying romance of Sly and Carmelita was showcased to perfection and the villain’s motives were understandable and relatable while still keeping him as the antagonist. Sly 3 is a game that only gets better with time and the more it’s replayed and is a perfect example of what made the Sly series as popular as it is.