Author Archives: Dominic Broadwood

Sly Cooper Retrospective: Thieves in Time

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Finishing off our Sly Cooper retrospective series we have the final game released in the series Sly 4 Thieves in Time. Sly 4 was released exclusively on the playstation 3 over half a decade after Sly 3. It was released in February of 2013 and was developed by Sanzaru Games while the prior three were developed by Sucker Punch Studios. The studio shift came as a result of Sucker Punch wanting to focus on their new InFamous series and gave Sanzaru permission to develop the fourth instalment for Sony. It’s apparent right away that this game is made by new developers from the graphics alone. Granted the prior games were made on the old generation consoles, the graphics were a seismic shift from what the fanbase had become accustomed to. With Sly 4 following what felt like a perfectly wrapped up end to the series in Sly 3 it left a lot of the fans divided on if this was the right move. Of course it’s thrilling when your favourite series has a new release but sometimes an unneeded sequel can leave the viewer feeling cheated and I think this is part of what made this game suffer.

 

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To recap the story, the events of this game pickup shortly after the end of the third, despite the real life eight year hiatus between games. It starts with Sly getting the itch to steal come back as it’s in his blood as a cooper. He does come from a long line of master thieves after all. He picks his target as an art museum owned by a millionaire named Le Paradox. The goal was to steal an item from the time that he and the gang were looking to travel to which was mid 1500’s Japan. With pages of the Thievius Raccoonus being erased, they look to visit Sly’s ancestors and figure out what’s going wrong. As they travel through time alongside Carmelita who now knows Sly faked his amnesia, they find that LeParadox had been hiring criminals ( one of which being Penelope) to take over time periods of Sly’s ancestors and imprison them for a selfish goal that was later revealed as wanting to be the one and only line of master thieves. After freeing all of his ancestors Sly and his family return to the present day to find that LeParadox is an icon and famous worldwide. During the final faceoff between LeParadox and Sly, the time machine is broken leaving the blimp tearing itself apart as a time hole opens up. After defeating LeParadox, Sly shows mercy not wanting him to die and helps him up which his foe used as an opportunity to steal his parachute leaving Sly on a blimp that’s headed for a crash landing with a time hole opening up inside. When the blimp crashes there is no sign of Sly at the scene leaving the gang to believe that he must’ve slipped through time but with no clues as to where it leaves them with an endless amount of options. This is how the series has concluded to this point with no real ending or knowledge of what exactly has happened to Sly as we approach nearly twelve years since. 

 

This game when viewed as a standalone is a decent experience however comes up short when compared to the rest of the series. This game suffers from a few major issues starting with storytelling. The Sly Cooper series has time and time again shown they know how to develop a compelling story that leaves the player entertained and interested and this game it feels as though the depth of the story falls rather shallow. With the main villain’s motive more or less being that of the original villains, he doesn’t come across as original. In addition to this LeParadox is hard to take seriously with his goofy tendencies and over the top ego compared with Clockwerk who had the same motive yet had a menacing hatred that burned inside him for Sly. Furthermore the story doesn’t do an excellent job of keeping the player on edge. A lot of it feels like a slog and obvious to the seeing eye. Oh Sly’s ancestor was imprisoned? By a criminal hired by LeParadox? His cane was stolen? It just feels like each episode is more or less a carbon copy of the last and doesn’t find real innovative tools in conveying the narrative. 

 

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Another side issue that this game suffers from is the oversexualization of Carmelita. Although there was always an underlying narrative of Sly’s admiration for Carmelita, in the previous games she was still a badass. In Sly 4 it just feels as though she’s this trophy that all of Sly’s ancestors are after and she spends most of the time leading them on to get back at Sly for lying to her. The oversexualization comes to a head in the level where she belly dances for the Ms. Decibels guards, distracting them while Sly and his ancestor break in. Carmelita in this game went from bad as Interpol officer to Sly’s girlfriend and it just felt like a major downgrade.

 

Now let’s look at what this game did well. Sly 4 saw great innovation to character mechanics with the playability aspect of Sly’s ancestors. Each of his family members had their own unique abilities that the player could use in a game that set them aside from each other. Sliding down rails while shooting his pistols as Tennesse Kid Cooper was unlike anything the series had seen before, or the ultra stealth-like jump moves of Riochi Cooper ( a personal favorite of mine) made for great innovation and helped make the gameplay feel fresh. Additionally the twist of Penelope being one of the bad guys made for a shocking surprise. Penelope who had seemed to be smitten with Sly through a large portion of the previous game and was now dating Bentley was one of the last people to be expected to turn on the gang. Not only did she turn as a side villain she helped LeParadox create his time machine making her subtly the big bad of this game in general. In the post credits of the game she was also shown breaking out of prison, leaving her future in the series as uncertain as Sly’s.

 

In conclusion Sly 4 was a good game that fell short because of its predecessors. When looked at in its own category it has a decent story, fun and innovative gameplay and rather advanced graphics for its time. However it’s shortcomings are somewhat glaring as it failed to live up to standards the previous games had set. Fans of this series came to expect storytelling as a staple in this series, and this game had insufficient character development and narrative as a whole. It felt like the passion behind this series was missing in development and this may be due to it being produced by a different studio than the one that created this. All in all it’s a good game that if you’re a fan of the series I would recommend giving a go but it is without a doubt the runt of the franchise. Now all we can hope for is that Sly 5 will still be made and developed and can help put SLy back at the top of the mountain where he belongs.

Seismic Shift in Canuckland

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After months of drama and noise around the Canucks locker room, general manager Patrick Allvin has finally pulled the trigger on what the fans have seen coming since the start of this NHL season. The team announced the trading of star forward JT Miller to the New York Rangers in exchange for Filip Chytil, Victor Mancini and a first round pick. Later that evening Vancouver flipped that first alongside Danton Heinen and Vinnie Desharnais to Pittsburgh in exchange for Marcus Pettersson and Drew O’Connor effectively changing this team’s identity overnight. Now on paper this might not look like the best move for the Canucks, however there’s a lot of fine details to look at when analyzing these moves.

 

Firstly looking at the JT Miller trade, the Canucks additionally gave up Brannstrom and Dorrington however the Swedish defenceman was getting few looks on the main roster while Dorrington was likely to never touch Vancouver ice. For the Canucks losing a player of JT Millers caliber isn’t something that will go unnoticed. He’s been essentially their number one center for the large majority of his time there while also acting as a leader in the locker room. In his tenure with Vancouver he had a 99 point season in addition to his 103 point campaign last season. He played on both special teams and on any given night was often the Canuck’s best forward. Make no mistake he will be severely missed by Vancouver especially with a lack of scoring being one of their glaring issues this season. However what they got back is interesting to say the least. The Canucks knew that they would have to “lose” any trade they make for Miller, with all the media noise surrounding the situation as well as in season trades for aging players regardless of status often being hard to get equal value for. Vancouver of course brought back younger center Filip Chytil who will be an intriguing middle 6 center with second line potential. The young forward has struggled with injury to this point in his career, suffering multiple concussions. His career high of 45 points in 74 games is nothing to scoff at with him still being 25 years old and not having been given the reins to his own line yet. Additionally he had six points in ten games last year which was cut short due to injuries. He’s trusted by coaches to start shifts in the defensive zone with great puck moving ability as well as being an excellent skater. These are two things Vancouver desperately needs as they’ve had their fair share of struggles transitioning out of their own zone this season. The hope was to find players with high upside value that can grow into their core while also being strong puck movers and that’s exactly what they get out of Chytil. He’s also among the league’s fastest skaters which will help a rather slow Canucks roster. Victor Mancini was drafted nearly three years ago by New York, early in the fifth round. In 15 games at the NHL level this season he has 5 points and could be an underrated acquisition for the boys in blue. Although it is unlikely he sees much ice time this season with a strong core around him in Abbotsford, the organization must be more than hopeful that they can get some good development out of him down in Abby and potentially a look with the big guys next season.

 

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Switching over to their later trade the Canucks acquired their third Pettersson along with a speedy depth player in Drew O’Connor. After making the trade, general manager Patrick Allvin got a text from Sidney Crosby stating that Marcus Pettersson is a really good catch and a strong leader in the locker room, someone Pitsburgh will sorely miss. He also happens to be more of what Vancouver needs, an offensive minded puck moving defenseman that is capable of shutting down some of their opponents top players. He’s a perfect slot in for the Canucks top four helping round out what’s been a much weaker defence core compared to last season. Furthermore the addition of O’Connor in the bottom six is another shew in to mesh adding more speed and more puck moving ability to the roster. A career high of 33 points in less than a full 82 is something that can be built off in his depth role while just picking up the team’s pace of play as a main objective. He doesn’t need to get scoring results to be an impact player on the coast, he just needs to put pressure on opposing teams and move the puck up ice.

 

On paper the Canucks, following these trades are a more rounded out albeit slightly worse team, but this is more than a roster change. The media in and around the team has been deafening for the last several months over a rift between their two star forwards in Miller and Pettersson. It was so bad that the team president, when asked about it during an interview, went as far to say that it was at a point of no return and they could not continue with the two players side by side. Any rumours that it was just media noise were thrown out the window after this. Moreover the noise while affecting Pettersson’s play also affected the entire roster. It’s hard enough to win games at the NHL level, it doesn’t get any easier when your locker room is being analyzed under a microscope. The trade acts as a reset for Miller as much as it does for the entirety of the Canucks locker room. So as much as they on paper have gotten worse, the team has already shown in two games since the trade that even with a 0-1-1 record, they’re playing better hockey than we’ve seen this season. Not only this but the freeing up of cap space is a valuable asset for this team. They now have the means to make a big move before this trade deadline and have the potential to snag a big name off a team that’s not in contention with their new found cap relief. Names like Cozens, Norris, and even Zegras have been floating in the air as we approach the March 7th deadline.

 

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With the 4 Nations Faceoff right around the corner the Canucks have some big games over the course of their next week before heading into the break. Currently sitting outside of the playoff line they’ll face off with Colorado on Tuesday who currently sit in one of the wildcard spots before heading to San Jose for a must win and finishing the week off against the Maple Leafs on Hockey Night in Canada. Don’t expect Vancouver to be done as we await act three in the Patrick Allvin show with him likely adding a high profile player to grow into this core. Boeser could also be a name that could be on the trade market with his contract set to expire this summer. For now the Canucks have done well with what little they’ve been given and are primed to make a roster altering move that could push them back into the playoff picture. There’s still more than enough time for them to right the ship this season and they’re showing promise both organizationally and on ice. Only time will reveal what tricks the Canucks have up their sleeves next.

Sly Cooper Retrospective: Band of Thieves

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Previously we took a look at Sly 1 and what was so special that it managed to kick off an entire franchise and sequels that would be released for a decade after. Today we’re looking at how the series grew from its first adaptation and how they turned a fantastic one off platforming game into a refined piece of perfection that we all know and love as Sly 2 Band of Thieves.

 

Sly 2 Band of Thieves was released in September 2004 just a week short of two years after The Thievius Raccoonus. The refinement from the first game was noticeable almost immediately as similar to its predecessor it starts with a prologue than you get thrown into from the title screen, however the animation is significantly better and detailed likely due to a bigger budget from the first games success. Immediately you can see that Sly now has a health bar, telling the player it’s no longer a one and done death and you get to see Sly’s companions out in the field which was not something seen as often in the first game. In addition to the animation change, the characters also got an outfit overhaul making each of them (especially Murray) appear more serious and fit for the job at hand. The intro beautifully sets up the storyline for the game, as the prologue is the gang attempting to steal the remaining Clockwerk parts which were put in a museum two years after the events of the first game. Because of Clockwerk’s undying hatred for the Cooper clan, the gang thinks his parts would be safer in their hands and with the revelation that the parts have already been stolen by “The Klaww Gang” the stage is set for what the goal of the game is going to be. Following the prologue, a recap of the series storyline to this point is shown, which is great for new players who maybe haven’t played the previous title so they can understand what exactly is going on.

 

Similarly to the previous game, there are eight “worlds” titled episodes which you play through however a little differently than previously. Improving upon the previous system, it’s a more open world concept level where the player now playing as all three main characters individually, can find a waypoint marker for the specific levels and do them in order of what makes sense in game to ultimately pull of a major heist at the end of every episode. Each episode ends with a boss fight where you’re taking the clockwerk part(s) that each boss has in their possession. The ambience in each episode once again perfectly suits the aesthetic that was trying to be captured and the levels feel less repetitive with more variety of missions whether it’s bombing the pillars of a nightclub or pickpocketing the keys off of the bosses guards. Like I mentioned earlier, the addition of all three members of the Cooper gang being playable adds a whole new dynamic to the game with each character having its strengths and weaknesses, and even though I would consider this just about a near perfect game, they still improved upon this in a later title! 

 

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The episodes follow a similar formula as the game progresses with the gang travelling to new locations pulling off a series of jobs before the big heist and ultimately leading to a boss fight. This is okay because it works and the additional game mechanics of the sequel have helped combat the repetitive nature of these kinds of missions. But then there’s a twist. Following the conclusion of episode three Sly and Murray are captured and put into a prison by “The Contessa” a member of the infamous Klaww gang who’s infiltrated Interpol. This is where we get to see Bentley’s character development truly flourish. On his own for the first time in his life, never having been apart from Sly and Murray we learn a lot about him and watch as he develops from the fearful jumpy brainiac from the first episode into a confident cunning member of the gang that can hold his own in the absence of his best friends. The character development that Bentley goes through in this game really is one of the best parts about Sly 2, as we got such a little information about him in the first game and really makes the player fall even more in love with the already fan-favorite characters. 

 

Who loves a good ol fashioned  train heist?

 

One part of this game that I felt really needed to be spotlighted when looking back at its perfection is episode six. Taking place in the Yukon territory in Canada the gang travels to take down the latest member of the Klaww gang and old gold miner by the name Jean Bison (bee-sawn). Get it? Because he’s a bison? He was frozen in snow for hundreds of years and emerged to a much different world where even as stated by Sly “In his time he would’ve been a hero”. He was in possession of three of the Clockwerk parts which he used as never faltering pumps for his iron horse trains. The plot of this episode is the gang breaking into the movie trains and stealing the parts off them, which of course the player does successfully. These missions are the most fun of the entire game as you get bits of backstory on the villain while robbing his trains and again, who doesn’t like a good ol train heist?

 

Yet another twist occurs when in the following episode the cooper gang gets knocked out and captured together and when they come to, they’re in a dimly lit cabin room. Bentley manages to be the only one capable of his escape due to his size where he confronts Jean Bison. The divulsion that Jean had in fact found the gang’s Clockwerk parts and sold all of them including his own to the remaining member of the Klaww gang Arpeggio put the gang in a frenzy. Using his newfound confidence Bentely takes Jean on alone, defeating him before the gang sprints to a battery that Arpeggio is picking up for his giant blimp, where the final episode would take place. 

 

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When the gang gets on the blimp they come to realize the master plan that was put together by Arpeggio all along where he had fully rebuilt clockwork and intended to pilot the reconstructed bird as he (a bird) never had the ability to fly. This was thwarted by his ally Neila,  another acting Interpol officer who took the metallic bird herself and the episode is set up for Sly and the gang to get ready to once again take on Clockwerk.  With help from an unlikely ally (Carmelita) who has been chasing down the Cooper gang for years, she and Sly get in a chopper with Sly on the gunner and hit the sky to take down Clockwerk. After the defeat of Clockwerk and the crash landing in Paris, the gang goes to remove the “hate chip” located in Clockwerk when the mouth of the bird closes crushing Bentley between. This leads to Bentley being wheelchair ridden in future titles and adds to the development his character went through during the duration of this game. 

 

The ending was exactly what this game needed and showcased the development of all characters in this conclusion while leaving the door open for a third game, which was already in development. The innovation and purification of an already fantastic game was done better than could’ve been asked for, leaving Sly 2 with a large window of replayability. If someone were to ask what a must play game is I would simply say Sly 2 is the epitome of a perfect, thought through, adventure platformer and is a must play experience.

Sly Cooper Restrospective: The Thevious Raccoonus

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If you were a gamer growing up in the mid 2000’s to early 2010’s then you’ve more than likely heard of the Sly Cooper series. Sly Cooper was a game series that released its first iteration: Sly Cooper The Thievius Raccoonus in November of 2002. It was released as and still to this day is a playstation exclusive title, one of which the biggest Sony exclusives to ever hit the market. In July of 2024 Sony released a remastered version of the original trilogy (for the second time) and it quickly became the biggest Playstation Plus monthly release to date. Because of the franchise’s success coupled with fan pressure, rumours of a new game in the works are starting to make the rounds. With it being almost twelve years since the last release in the series and a potential new one on the horizon, there’s no better time to look back at everyone’s favourite Robinhood and look at what exactly made Sly Cooper so special.

 

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The Series follows the Cooper Gang in an all animal world, where Sly Cooper the cane wielding racoon and leader of the gang and his best friends: a turtle named  Bently (the brains), and a hippo Murray (the brawns), steal from other thieves in the pursuit of becoming a Master Thief. Sly comes from a long line of master thieves all of which detail their experiences and tricks of the trade in a family heirloom, a book called The Thievius Raccoonus. This is where the plot of the first game starts. On the night Sly was set to inherit the family book from his father, five villains dubbed “the fiendish five” broke into Sly’s family home murdering his parents and stealing the Thievius Raccoonus before splitting the pages among themselves. 

 

Now that we’ve established the backstory, let’s get into what makes this first game so special.

 

Although it was by no means the first platformer to be released, with iconic games like Mario and Donkey Kong having been around for decades prior to the playstation release. Sly felt like a first of its kind game. The open world, stealth elements it introduced brought something new to the gaming world. These elements would only be pushed further in the sequels to come. The story of the first game follows the Cooper gang as one by one they visit each member of The Fiendish Five and their respective “world” where you the player (as sly) pull off a series of platforming heists, stealing a key at the end of every level to unlock the boss fight at the end of the world. However the game opens perfectly as you’re thrown right into the prologue, where Sly breaks into a police station to get his criminal file while teaching the player the controls along the way. The game and the series for that matter does a fantastic job of telling a story as you go, adding tidbits of backstory and information between levels and worlds. But what makes the first game so special? Let’s start with level design. The straightforward design of each level guiding the player throughout without the use of cliche arrows or audio queue makes for a simple and easy to understand objective. Additionally the break from the straight and narrow to play “minigames” like racing the team van as Murray or hacking into a computer as Bentley was a nice touch to prevent over repetition. The ambience and detail to each level perfectly captures what the game was trying to achieve. Additionally it reflects the world you’re playing in for example; in the second world where “Mugshot” the Jacked up dog is the big bad, this is reflected by his henchmen being other breeds of dogs. Each level offers the player a stealthy approach while also allowing for the player to use brute force to chug through the level if they so choose albeit this is a more viable approach in future titles. 

 

This game being the first in its series standouts out the most from the three sequels. Some of the key differences include a one hit death system unless you have a horseshoe allowing for an extra hit before death, both of which features were thrown out in its successors. The animation in the game is less defined but almost carries a certain charm to it when playing the later games to realise just how far the series has come. The boss fights aside from the final big bad, all follow a simple to understand pattern whether it’s tapping buttons in rhythm or jumping in circles to avoid water until the boss is tired enough to strike.

 

The climax of the game was a masterpiece in how to create a final boss fight. Starting with a jetpack dodge and shoot minigame of sorts before transitioning to a timed trial where you use all of your thieving skills to maneuver an obstacle course climbing up the defeated boss as he attempts in a last ditch effort to kill Sly as the lava rises. The setting of this occurring in a volcano is perfect for what the story and climax led up to. Bits and pieces of the boss were dropped leading up to the end, and painted a perfect story of (Clockwerk’s) hatred for the cooper clan. Having watched the family for decades, even to the point of replacing his body with mechanical parts for immortality because of his hatred for the bloodline. The revelation of the mysterious antagonists motives and backstory just added to what was already a perfect final sequence.

 

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 I think it’s the simplicity of a game with so much depth that appeals so much to the fanbase. Although the following three games are without a doubt a better gaming experience the magic that was captured in Sly 1 was something special that is so seldomly captured. It laid the groundwork for its forerunners to build and improve upon. The refinement that this series went through in just about every game was something special that I don’t think we’ve seen since in a video game series. Everything from level design, to storytelling was nailed to a tee and left the player craving more. Even to this day, well over a decade after the final release, players are still asking for more and going back to try and capture the nostalgia of the famous Cooper Gang. Only time will tell what’s in store for the series and we can only hope there’s a comeback on the horizon for our favorite thieves. Next article we’re going to be looking at Sly 2 Band of Thieves and how this was the game that truly defined the franchise.

The Canucks Should Not Trade Elias Pettersson

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In times of hardship like the Vancouver Canucks are currently facing, teams will often make a panic move. One panic move the team can under no circumstances afford is to trade Elias Pettersson. The 26 year old Swedish forward is among the league’s elite, despite his current season statistics not reflecting this, which has gotten his name onto the chopping block in recent weeks. Currently sitting at 11 goals and 19 assists through 42 games, his struggle has been under major scrutiny league wide. Vancouver, coming off winning their division last season in part thanks to an 89 point season from the star center, have struggled immensely to find their groove up to this point in the season. Rumours swirling around the team, injury troubles and locker room rifts have led to a tense situation for players and fans alike. Typically in these instances you shakeup the core, and I am here to say that Elias Pettersson is not the one needing to be moved.

 

Pettersson, drafted by the Canucks fifth overall in the 2017 entry draft has been the face of a franchise that hadn’t seen the light of day prior to last year’s success. Thus far in his career Pettersson has a career statline of 181 goals and 261 assists for 442 points in 449 games played sitting at almost a point per game. The Swedish phenom has been among the league’s best since arriving in the league in the 2018/19 season. He has one of the best two way impacts of forwards in the league and plays a pivotal role on both the powerplay and penalty kill for Vancouver. Pettersson also has the most points of a Canucks player since 2019 when their current core was formed. Not to mention he’s a fan favourite in the city. 

 

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Finding an elite let alone potentially generational center is few and far between and it’s the cornerstone of all successful franchises. Pettersson has shown time and time again that he is that guy for this Vancouver team, even in their lowest of lows he’s been a net positive for the team never having a season below a plus/minus of zero. He’s puck dominant and is shown to be able to drive play no matter the linemates given to him. In 2023 he turned current two goal scorer Andrei Kuzmenko into a 39 goal scoring machine along with fellow russian linemate Ilya Mikhayev into one of the better finishers on the Canucks’s roster. Since being removed from Pettersson’s wing both players have seen less than half the success they had playing alongside the Swede.

 

Pettersson is a lethal weapon on Vancouver’s top powerplay unit. Watching him play the right flank of the powerplay is magical the way he releases the shot puck and is considered one of the best shooters in the league. The one time option he provides is similar to Ovechkin on the flank, where a one timer from him is bound for the back of the net more than likely if he gets it with space to fire. He’s one of very few players across the NHL that has the capability of beating a set NHL goaltender and is not something the team would easily replace. The quickness of his release coupled with how little space he needs to get a shot off makes it left almost entirely up to chance on if the goalie can make the save. Some of his criticism this year has been that he hasn’t let that wicked release run wild enough and sometimes plays with too much of a pass first mentality. He’s shooting at 14 percent clip this season which is the lowest of his career, which is far better than your average player.

 

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As alluded to previously Pettersson is a puck dominant player and with his ability has historically entered the opposing zone with ease. The average success rate of a controlled zone entry in the NHL is just above 22 percent. Elias Pettersson since 2022 has a controlled zone entry success rate of almost 50 percent. If you have a player that can successfully enter the opponents zone with possession almost half the time, that is an extremely valuable asset. Puck possession in the offensive zone is created about half the time from offensive zone draws. Having players that can get you offensive pressure without a whistle is more than valuable and something that EP40 does more than efficiently.

 

His play-driving and two way impact is that of the elite. With a career off-ice goals expected percentage of nearing 45 percent, the team is shown to have far less success in the offensive zone when Petey is off the ice. Comparatively he has a career 37.5 (not as a percentage) goals expected on-ice in his career. The center sits well above the three points per 60 minute mark proving he’s among the league’s best at getting results. Finding a center at his age that can offensively provide all of this while also delivering phenomenal defensive results is near unheard of.

 

Now with all of this being said, why trade him?

 

The reported locker room rift between him and fellow forward JT Miller has gotten to a point of no return. Because of this it now seems apparent that one of the two will have to be dealt for the greater good of the locker room. What started as a squabble in practice has spiraled into what feels like a civil war. Though it may go further back than this as it’s not the first time a division between the two has been suggested. If one of the two must go, it’s crucial for the Canucks to make the correct choice as it could leave residual effects on the club for years to come. The idea of Pettersson being the one on his way out comes from the belief that he may be able to garner more for the team on the trade market. This is due to his age as well as two will ability, he’s a much more appealing trade option as opposed to Miller. Pettersson also has been in almost a year-long slump even though he’s still finding ways to contribute defensively. 

 

With Pettersson’s career history and his ability to time and time again prove that he is an elite center in this league, all chips should be placed on him from Canucks management. The kind of play that Pettersson brings will be near impossible to replace and trading him away would likely haunt the franchise for years to come. As the deadline approaches trade talks around both centers will heat up and it’s a crucial time for the franchise to make the right decisions and put their trust in who has time and time again proved to be their go to guy, Elias Pettersson.

Top 5 Dream Canucks Acquisitions

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Chances are if you’re a diehard fan of a sports team, you probably have a list of players that you daydream about joining your favorite club. For myself, I’m a fan of two NHL teams but for this we’re going to be focusing on the Vancouver Canucks. I’m going to share my top five dream Canucks acquisitions, realism aside and detail why they would be a great add to the team and what makes the idea so exciting (in no particular order).

 

Starting with an easy and obvious one, can you imagine if Sidney Crosby was ever to play in Vancouver. Sid the not so kid anymore is not only a hockey and Canadian icon, but a Vancouver one too because of his golden goal in 2010. In the same building the Canucks call home, Crosby scored the overtime winner in the gold medal game of the 2010 winter Olympics to defeat Canada’s biggest rival the US. Almost a decade and a half ago, the memory of the goal is still fresh in the mind of Vancouverites and could be just the first of many big goals to be scored here on the coast for Crosby. This idea wasn’t created out of thin air either, as a large portion of Canucks management and staff have been poached over the years from the Penguins organization, some of which are still in touch with Sid to this day. He recently signed a two year contract extension that takes effect after this season, putting to bed the rumours of  a potential Canuck debut, however maybe this is something that could be revisited in 700 days? Assuming the Canucks move on from one of their star forwards there may be an opening for someone like him in the near future. He’s no doubt a top five player of all time and it would just feel right to see him get the chance to play for a Canadian NHL team.

 

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What could be better than the greatest player of the previous generation? How about the projected top player of the next generation? What a sight it would be to see hometown boy Connor Bedard lace the skates up for Vancouver. Bedard grew up in North Vancouver playing for West Vancouver Academy and has been open about being a lifelong Vancouver Canucks fan. Prior to being drafted he talked about his love for the team and talked about how special their 2020 bubble run was during Covid. He even name-dropped some of his favourite players including popular depth piece Tyler Motte. In Connor’s draft year the Canucks were in the lower echelon of league standings and for a minute it seemed as though there was a real possibility of a draft day miracle. In the summer Bedard is still known to come home to practice along with other Vancouver Born NHL players like Mathew Barzal and Kent Johnson. Because he’s still so early in his professional career, there’s more than enough time for a potential move to Vancouver at some point and I mean who knows? If Chicago continues to struggle and the Canucks have space to make it work, although it might be a pipedream we could potentially see a reunion for Connor in his hometown.

 

When the Sedins retired in 2018 it left a twin sized hole in Vancouver. Although they’re not twins, can you imagine Jack Hughes joining his brother Quinn in Vancouver. On the one hand you have the premier defenseman of the NHL in Quinn Hughes, the addition of brother Jack who has emerged as a potential generational forward talent. That would be one awesome 1-2 punch for Vancouver. While we’re at it, I’ll even propose a mock trade for him. With all the rumours going around about Elias Pettersson and the questionable reliability of goaltender Thatcher Demko, how would you feel about Demko and Pettersson being traded to New Jersey for Jack Hughes and something of low value like a sixth round pick? Brotherhood aside, Jack Hughes is one of the most electrifying players in hockey currently, he’s fast and agile on his skates with superior puck ability to almost everyone else in the league. He also is one of very few players that have a personality and has had his fair share of moments. Some personal favorites are when he scored an overtime winner before tossing the game winning stick over the glass and into the crowd. Another popular moment occurred in one of his post game interviews while Body Armour was the official drink, Jack referenced taking a sip of “gato” referring to Gatorade which was a big no-no for the leagues resident sponsor. Jack Hughes would bring a fun element to the Canuck’s that I think we haven’t seen a whole lot of for the past decade.

 

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What’s better than one Swede? Two Swedes of course! My next dream player that I’d love to see in Vancouver is on my other favourite team and that’s William Nylander. The prospect of a forward duo consisting of Elias Pettersson and William Nylander is exciting beyond what words can describe. We might even get a preview of this duo at the upcoming four nations faceoff tournament. The idea originally came a little over a year ago when Nylander’s contract was getting set to expire and his future in Toronto was uncertain. He’s since then extended for the  long term in the six. The two Swedes playing together would be incredibly dynamic with both possessing elite finishing and playmaking ability. They also both are fantastic finishers and in Nylander’s case, similar to what I said about Jack Hughes, he is also in the minority of players that show their personality to the media. Often appearing shirtless in his media availability and keeping it light and cracking jokes. 

 

The last player on this list is a personal favorite of mine and by no means a friendly face in the city of Vancouver, but how awesome would it be to have a player like Matthew Tkachuk on your team. Having a player that brings the type of skill Matthew brings mixed with the on-ice shenanigans is an extremely rare commodity in the league and a dying breed. He also provides elite defensive ability on the wing while producing offensively at an elite pace. He’s the kind of player that makes rivalries more intense with his physical style of play and unapologetic attitude and although he was once Vancouver’s biggest rival, seeing him suit up for the blue and green would be a dream come true.

 

Although none of the aforementioned players are likely to become Canucks (at least anytime soon) it would be surreal to ever see these guys play for your favourite team. Which players would you like to see suit up for Vancouver? How realistic do you think these dream matches are? Most importantly how long will it take for Connor Bedard to become a Canuck!

Canucks: Glass Half Empty?

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More often than not it’s safe to say that what you see from an NHL team through their first thirty games of the season is what you’re going to get. This year’s Canucks are approaching game 45 against Edmonton Saturday night and what we’ve seen more than halfway through this campaign is more than concerning. Coming out of seemingly nowhere last year Vancouver finished amongst the league’s best and winning their division after a decade of despair. Because of such success the expectations leading into this year were at an all time high. After getting a taste of good hockey in Vancouver, fans and players alike now had the bar raised. Despite last year’s success and a better than average start to this season, things have quickly hit a downward spiral for the club. It isn’t a cut and dry answer that can be summed up to poor play. From injuries to personal issues, we’re going to dive into where the team has gone wrong.

Let’s start with the team’s injury troubles. This was an under the skin itch proper to the start of training camp. Star goaltender Thatcher Demko who got hurt in April still was without a timeline for return as the season drew closer. With little known about the details of the injury all that was confirmed is that surgery was not an option. Not what you want to hear about your goalie that’s been out for six months. Right when it seemed like that was the only ailment for the team, news broke that breakout forward  Dakota Joshua had been diagnosed with testicular cancer and would miss the first few weeks of the season. So now you’re down a goalie and down a key forward, not ideal. However the missing pieces were not obvious to the average eye and the team found their own with recently signed goaltender Kevin Lankinen. Although the wins weren’t as exciting as the previous year’s, Vancouver was getting it done and finding ways to pick up points. Just when news of Joshua and Demko’s returns were on the horizon the injury plague struck again. During a game against the rival Kings the Canucks resident Brockstar, took a high hit from Jeannot which took him out of action for almost a month. Fast forward to his return and one of the Franchise’s top Defensemen in Filip Hronek took the plunge into the injured reserve. Nevertheless injuries aren’t the only thing sour in the organization.

A little over a month into the season right in the thick of the Canuck’s injury problems JT miller would step away from the team citing personal reasons. Now what exactly those reasons are is still up in the air and to respect him and his family we’re not going to speculate. However this wouldn’t be the only controversy JT has found himself in this season. Shortly after his return rumours would run rampant that the spotlight in Vancouver could not be shared. Prior to his leave, a scuffle between the 31 year old and Pettersson occurred with little talk around it that shortly subsided. Yet when Miller returned coupled with a team skid, the rumours resurfaced and louder than ever. Despite both forwards coming out to shut down the claims and Miller even offering to bring Petey out with him for a media scrum, the vibes around the situation remain off.

But where there’s smoke there’s fire.

Miller, although being one of the Canucks best players through his first five seasons on the West coast, has continued to struggle up to this point and has seen himself sitting at the end of the bench on more than one occasion. Additionally Pettersson has had the worst 12 month span of his career. I should prefix this by saying he was almost certainly hurt in the back half and playoffs of last year. Because of the continued struggles fans are still pointing to signs of potential nagging injury. Although it’s bold to assume the outside media noise hasn’t been a shot to his confidence.

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The step down from last year can’t only be attributed to this year’s struggles, as more than the team could have asked for went right in 2024. Most of the roster put up career high numbers last year and that was bound to regress heading into the 2025 season. Moreover the team lost key depth players like; Ian Cole, Nikita Zadorov, and Elias Lindhold in free agency. Just by looking at some of Vancouver’s biggest moments from the playoffs it is abundantly clear how crucial these guys were to the group. Losing so many crucial depth pieces was bound to have them hitting a snag.

Up to now, we’ve looked at how the glass is half empty, but let’s look at how it’s half full.

For starters even with this season being the chaotic mess that it has been. The team currently sits just barely below the playoff line with more than enough time to right the ship. The Canuck’s sit in one of the weaker divisions in the NHL with lots of Pacific games remaining. Historically this management group has shown a level of competency when making moves and it’s a safe bet that the right moves will be made even if that means trading a fan favorite. Furthermore they have the reigning coach of the year behind the bench who knows how to get the best out of the player he’s given.

Looking at the players you have Quinn Hughes who has shown that last year was not a flash in the pan and that he is arguably the best defenceman in the NHL. The reigning Norris winner  is playing at a more than point per game pace while putting up some of the most desirable underlying statistics in the league. The Makar vs Hughes debate needs to be put to rest, it’s not very close. Goaltender Kevin Lankinen has been a pleasant surprise this season on the back line as the Canucks signed him right at the start of training camp with little expectations and we watched as he filled Demko’s shoes perfectly, and has continued to be a phenomenal tandem option and kept them in games numerous times thus far.

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With the trade deadline drawing nearer, talks have heated up mostly surrounding JT Miller and aside from a lineup shakeup often doing some good the hope is without the rift from number nine, Elias Pettersson may be able to start finding his game. When he’s on, he’s a top ten player in the NHL and that’s what the Canucks need right now.

The Canucks play Edmonton on hockey night in Canada in a divisional matchup and a playoff rematch, where the Canucks will look to begin their path to redemption this season.

Toronto: New Look Leafs

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This summer was a big one for the Toronto Maple Leafs organization as they continued gutting the remnants of the previous management regime. For context it’s been almost a decade since Toronto rebuilt their roster and became yearly cup contenders, yet they’ve failed miserably in reaching those expectations ever since. Known as the most cursed franchise in the NHL, they’ve made the playoffs every season since 2017, though only made it past the first round once. They seemingly find a progressively more embarrassing way to lose every year with all six of their last first round exits coming in game seven. It is worth nothing that they managed to break the “19 year curse” in 2023, where they ultimately fell to Florida in the second round in just five games. Subsequently general mana

ger and longtime member of the club Kyle Dubas was left unsigned come summer time and ultimately moved on to another team.

This was the first domino to fall.

The following season (last year) the Maple Leafs after having a mediocre season finished third in their division and rumours around head coach Sheldon Keefe’s future with the club became uncertain. They matched up against long-time rivals. Boston Bruins in the playoffs and this would be the fourth meeting between the teams in the past decade with all three prior contests ending in a game seven defeat for Toronto. It looked as though history would repeat itself as Toronto found themselves in a 3-1 deficit and superstars Auston Matthews and William Nylander were both out to injury. A timely goal from Matthew Knies gave the Leafs a shot of life with a game 5 overtime win heading back to Toronto with Nylander expected to play. The Leafs hung on for their lives in a close contest winning that one 2-1 and seeing Toronto once again playing a game seven in Boston. The feeling was a little different this time around as not a single goal was scored until the third period. Off a beautiful dish from Matthews in his return, William Nylander put the buds up by 1 with half a period to go and it almost felt like the first time in the four meetings that they might actually win. This unfortunately came crashing down minutes later when the roof was nearly blown off the building on a Hampus Lindholm Bruins goal. That feeling of hope quickly subsided into dread as we’ve seen this film before. The Bruins off a swing and dump buried it before fans could sit down for overtime and yet again crushed the hearts of Leafs Nation. Following the playoff loss there would once again be a managerial change as both the Leafs and head coach Sheldon Keefe agreed to part ways.

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Going into this season for nearly the first time in ten years, Toronto would have an entirely new front office and coaching staff aside from sitting President Brendan Shannahan. The hiring of Stanley Cup winning coach Craig Berube may be just what the Leafs need to get themselves over the hump. Additionally to ring in the new era of Leafs hockey, former captain John Tavares relinquished the C on his jersey and the club named Auston Matthews its new captain. Although we’re only halfway into the season under the new bench boss, vibes around the organization are noticeably better. It feels like a whole new team is stepping onto the ice this year. The standings have reflected it thus far, with Toronto sitting atop the stacked Atlantic division and sitting in the top five league wide. This can be attributed to the coach but he’s not the only one to praise.

Afterall the coach isn’t the one stepping onto the ice.

Toronto has been winning their games differently than previous years, digging deep and finding a way to shut down teams late in games. Previously the team’s MO was to rely on outsourcing their opponents and think about defense later. However there seems to be a new emphasis on clamping down games even if it’s to the detriment of the scoreboard. Now this comes a lot easier when you have two stellar goalies that can work a tandem on the backline in Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll. They also have worked harder to find players that match their desired style of play, shown by the resignings og Simon Benoit and Max Domi. They also added a top five shutdown defenceman in the league: Chris Tanev in free agency and it’s been paying dividends in their gumption to keep the puck out of their net.

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Every good team faces adversity and that’s usually the test of a team’s character. How does this Maple Leafs team do when faced with a challenge. Previous iterations of this team would see themselves sink when faced with a tough test, but it appears they’ve grown and no longer go down so easily. Only halfway through this campaign they’ve seen multiple goaltender injuries and have laughed in the face of them, winningmore than lost even with their third stringer Dennis Hildeby. Franchise leading goalscorer and captain, Matthews has also gone down with injury on multiple occasions this season and it hasn’t phased them a bit going 10-5-0 in his absence and a .660 points percentage. Now they’ve lost the former John Tavares after an injury in practice last week and they’re still yet to lose with him out of the lineup. The Leafs are also near the top of the NHL in come from behind wins this year and was exemplified on Saturday night after giving up three first period goals. They went on to win 7-3 in their biggest rivals’ home barn.No matter the challenge they’re finding different ways to dig deep and get in the points column seemingly every night.

But surely they’ll hit a skid right?

Recently Toronto lost three in a row after a prior five game winning streak. MAny media outlets labelled this as a “skid” and were projecting the downfall of the 2025 Toronto Maple Leafs. This was more than premature and even had some of the players laughing. Before their first game back in the win category, Nylander was asked about the losing streak to which he responded with a chuckle and stating “we’re not worried”. If the standard for this team is three games being time to hit the panic button, I think they’re in pretty good shape.

With a little under half the season to go and Toronto appearing to have the season on cruise control. This is shaping up to finally be the year we see this team go on a deep playoff run. Do you think under new management the franchise can transition from being the joke of the league to where they belong among other cup contenders? Only time will tell, but this is a new-look Leafs team and so far it’s been reassuring what we’ve seen on the ice this season.

 

 

 

 

Warriors: Bar Raised

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As the Warriors head into the new year of this NLL season, they have one goal in
mind and that is getting over the hump and into the playoffs. Last season they
brought in the reigning coach of the year Curt Malawsky in hopes of finding that
breakout season. After a rough 2-8 start, the team finished strong, going 6-2 in
their final eight, giving them something to build off heading into this season.

So far, they’ve done just that. Three straight wins has put the Warriors at 3-1 to
start the campaign, placing them amidst the league's best. This includes Friday
evening’s 11-9 payback win against San Diego, which eliminated them from
contention last April. “Yeah, the thought was there. We wanted to win that game,
everyone fought,” said Keegan Bal.

With the groundwork laid, this year comes with a new set of expectations.
However, the added pressure hasn’t phased Malawsky thus far. “We don’t feel any
pressure, it’s something you put on yourself and there's no value in saying ‘We
need to do this or that.’ There are 13 other teams in the National Lacrosse League,
we have to just focus on what we do. We’re not looking past next weekend.”

Vancouver hasn’t seen the playoffs since the Stealth in 2017, leaving the fan base
eager for late April lacrosse. This past spring gave us a taste of what a playoff
atmosphere in Vancouver could look like with the Canucks clinching for their first
time in almost a decade. If last Friday night’s crowd is a teaser of what’s to come,
you can only imagine how electric a Warriors playoff crowd would be.

Vancouver bolstered its roster this year by bringing in 2023 fourth overall pick
Payton Cormier as well as three-time National League champion Jeff Cornwall.
The team is full of veteran leadership which was on full display in their comeback
victory over the Seals. It’s an asset to the team, having that level of experience
battling adversity and getting out of uncomfortable situations. “These guys,
they’ve won championships. They’ve been on highs, been on lows and they know what that even keel is. The veteran guys are really helping the young guys,” said
Malawsky.

The Warriors are set for a two-game weekend against Ottawa and Philadelphia
going into week eight and will look to carry the momentum and continue to raise
the bar. Two wins or a split would put the franchise into a prime position for
playoff contention as the midway mark of the season draws closer. The Warriors
are back at home to take on the Ottawa Black Bears on Friday, Jan. 24.

Welcome to the Couv

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Are you planning a trip to Vancouver? Or maybe you’ve lived here for a while and you’re looking to explore. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or you’ve called the city home for years, Vancouver has something for you. From breathtaking natural beauty to vibrant cultural scenes, the things to see and do here are endless. In this guide, we’ll take you through some of the top tourism spots in Vancouver, from iconic landmarks to hidden gems. By the end of this, you’ll have a new adventure awaiting! 

Let’s start with the big one. Stanley Park is easily one of Vancouver’s most famous landmarks, and for good reason. The park is over 1,000 acres, and is a mix of dense forest, stunning views, and cultural landmarks. Have you ever seen a postcard of Vancouver? If so there’s a good chance Stanley Park was front and center. But what’s the must do here? Well, it depends on what you’re into. If you’re a fan of leisurely strolls, then the Seawall is where you’ll want to be. It’s a ten kilometer path that wraps around the park and has some of the most beautiful views you’ll find on the West coast. Whether you walk, bike, or even rollerblade the Seawall is a great way to take in Vancouver’s natural beauty. Are you looking for something a bit more cultural? The Totem Poles at Brockton Point are iconic. These are one of British Columbia’s most famous attractions, showcasing Indigenous art and history in a beautiful outdoor setting. The totem poles are some of the most photographed attractions in all of Vancouver. So yes, your Instagram will thank you for it later. Stanley Park is also home to Beaver Lake, Lost Lagoon, and the Vancouver Aquarium which has everything from playful sea otters to beluga whales. So if you’re traveling with kids or maybe you’re just a big fan of marine life, this could be the place for you.

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Next up is Granville Island, it’s one of Vancouver’s most unique neighborhoods. Originally it was an industrial district, however it has since transformed into a vibrant hub for art, food, and culture. It’s also home to the Granville Island Public Market. If you’re a foodie, this market is paradise. Fresh seafood, cheeses, gourmet chocolates, and some of the best baked goods you’ll ever try can all be found here. Pick up a snack and take a seat by the water to enjoy the view. The market is also a great place to find unique souvenirs, so you can take a piece of Vancouver home with you. Aside from just the market, it’s a cultural hotspot. The island is filled with art galleries, theaters, and local boutiques. The Arts Club Theatre and Granville Island Stage are perfect spots to catch a play or live performance. If you’re into visual arts, the Emily Carr University of Art + Design gallery often will showcase works from local artists and students. Want something a little more unique? Try taking a tour of the Granville Island brewery. Just don’t take too many samples.

Maybe you’re a fan of outdoor adventures, Grouse Mountain might be the spot you’re looking for. It’s just a short drive from downtown and is open year round. In the winter, it’s a snowy wonderland perfect for skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing. If you want to visit in the warmer months, the mountain is a top hiking spot. One of the most popular activities is the Grouse Grind. It’s a challenging hike, but ask anyone and they’ll tell you that the payoff is worth it. Once you reach the top, you’ll be treated to a beautiful view of Vancouver as well as the nearby mountains. If hiking isn’t up your alley don’t worry, the Skyride gondola will take you to the top. 

On the topic of views, next on the list is the Capilano Suspension Bridge. It’s suspended 70 meters above the Capilano River,and the iconic bridge is one of Vancouver’s most exciting attractions. Walking across the swaying bridge might make your heart race, but don’t worry it’s completely safe, and the experience is one you won’t forget anytime soon. As you make your way across, you’ll be surrounded by towering evergreens and beautiful greenery, with the sound of the rushing river below. But the bridge is just the start. The park also features a treetops adventure which is a series of smaller suspension bridges that let you walk along the treetops on a bridge like contraption. It’s a great way to immerse yourself in nature without ever having to leave the city. If you’re more into hiking, the cliff walk is a cantilevered walkway that hugs the side of a granite cliff, offering unique perspectives of the forest and river below. Pro tip from experience, the Capilano Suspension Bridge is particularly magical during the Canyon Lights event in the winter, when the entire park is decked out in sparkling lights.

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For a taste of history mixed with some modern day charm, check out Gastown, Vancouver’s oldest neighborhood. Founded in 1867, Gastown is where Vancouver began, and it still has some of its cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and vintage street lamps. Of course, you can’t forget about the Gastown steam clock, a quirky piece of history that whistles and chimes. It’s a unique landmark and another one of those places you need to get a photo of before you end your visit. Gastown also has some of the best shopping and dining in the entire city. From local boutiques selling handmade jewelry, quirky souvenirs, to award-winning restaurants and trendy coffee shops, you’ll find no shortage of places to explore. 

Finally, let’s head to Kitsilano beach, or as the locals call it, “Kits Beach.” If you’re visiting Vancouver in the summer, this is a go-to spot to spend your days. The beach offers sandy shores, volleyball courts, and an outdoor saltwater pool all set against the backdrop of the North Shore mountains. Kits beach is a beautiful place for relaxing, swimming, or just soaking in the sun. It’s also a popular spot for paddleboarding and kayaking. If you’re feeling active, take a stroll down West 4th Avenue, where you’ll find plenty of shops, cafes, and restaurants. At sunset, Kits Beach is the place to be. Grab a spot along the shore and watch as the sun sets, casting a golden glow over the water. It’s the perfect way to end a day of exploring Vancouver.

There you have it! Some of the best tourism spots in Vancouver that will leave you with unforgettable memories. Whether you’re soaking in the natural beauty of Stanley Park, exploring the cultural hub of Granville Island, or taking on the Capilano Suspension Bridge, Vancouver has a little bit of everything. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags, book that trip, and get ready to experience the best of what Vancouver has to offer. Whether you’re an adventure seeker, a foodie, or just looking to relax by the water, Vancouver has something for everyone. Time to explore!