Author Archives: Jaden Teja

Looking At The Seahawks Hectic Offseason

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If you’re a Seattle Seahawks fan like myself, you know how chaotic this offseason has been. “Chaotic” may even be an understatement with what general manager John Schneider has been cooking up. So far, the Seahawks have already fired their offensive coordinator, traded their quarterback and star receiver, cut a franchise legend, signed a new quarterback to a 100-million-dollar contract, and signed a former Super Bowl MVP. If you think that’s crazy, we still haven’t even had the draft yet. If you don’t remember, the Seahawks started off the season 3-0, so how did we get to this point? Let me tell you.

The Seahawks fell to 3-3 after playing three games in ten days, which is not ideal, but one of those losses was to the New York Giants, which was inexcusable. They beat the Atlanta Falcons, moving to 4-3, but after DK Metcalf got hurt, Seattle fell to 4-5 going into their bye week. This is where everything changed. Seattle went into San Francisco, a place where they hadn’t won since 2021, with their season on the line. Geno Smith came up clutch with a game-winning drive, running in for the touchdown with 12 seconds left. Beating the 49ers ignited the Seahawks. Jaxon Smith-Njigba broke out as a star receiver, and the defense that was advertised since hiring Mike Macdonald started to arrive. Leonard Williams kicked into another gear, and the Seahawks were soaring.

The Seahawks were sitting in the number three seed in the NFC with an 8-5 record when they clashed with the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football. The Seahawks started out flat and never found their rhythm. They suffered their second biggest home prime-time loss of the 2000s, losing 30-13. They dropped their next game to the Minnesota Vikings, dropping to 8-6, with their playoff hopes looking very bleak. Even though they won their last two games and finished 10-7, Seattle lost the tiebreaker to the Los Angeles Rams and missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season.

A big issue of the Seahawks’ season was injuries to running back Kenneth Walker III. This made their run game not a threat, and their play-action game not a threat. With an offensive line that struggled all season, first-year offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb chose to run a super air-raid offense. This did not work. Seattle’s usage of play-action was near the bottom of the league, leaving their offense very one-dimensional. Seattle had the eighth most passing yards per game and total passing yards in the NFL, which improved from 14th the previous season. However, the running game was a different story. Seattle finished with the fifth-worst rushing offense in back-to-back seasons. I don’t know about you, but dropping back to pass consistently with one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL doesn’t seem like a recipe for success.

Seattle hasn’t had any balance in their offense since 2022, ironically, the last time they made the playoffs. Seattle fired Grubb after just one season and hired Klint Kubiak from the New Orleans Saints. Personally, I like this hire. The Saints started off the season with back-to-back 40-point showings before injuries riddled their offense. Kubiak made Rashid Shaheed look good, and I’m already getting excited to see how he will use Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

Ok, let’s talk about the first big moves. Cutting Tyler Lockett and trading DK Metcalf. I think that cutting Tyler Lockett was a move that most Seahawks fans were expecting. His production had started to decline, Smith-Njigba was starting to take over, and his $17 million cap hit was too expensive. As much as I would have loved to see Tyler Lockett retire a Seahawk, I knew that it most likely wasn’t going to happen.

However, the DK Metcalf trade did. I’m sure you heard the rumours that the Seahawks were shopping their star receiver. But just like the Russell Wilson trade rumours, general manager John Schneider shut them down. The real shock was when Metcalf requested a trade. Metcalf had always expressed how much he loved playing in Seattle, so when he wanted out, that was something I was taken aback by. Metcalf was my favourite player. Seeing him go was very tough. But I understood when I saw that the Pittsburgh Steelers were going to pay him $30 million for the next five years. That was something the Seahawks couldn’t have afforded to do, so at least we got a second-round pick for him.

Metcalf wasn’t the only player who wanted more money in Seattle. So did quarterback Geno Smith. Then Seattle shipped him off to the Las Vegas Raiders for a third-round pick. I don’t know how a starting quarterback in the NFL only gets traded for a third-round pick, but it turned out that John Schneider had a plan. That plan was to go big fish hunting and sign Sam Darnold to a 3-year, $100 million contract. Darnold’s coming off his first Pro Bowl nod in his career. There are people questioning if Darnold is the guy to put Seattle over the edge of being a contender, but with the upcoming quarterback draft classes not being the greatest, I think it’s a risk worth taking.

Darnold wasn’t the only splash Seattle made in free agency. Seattle bolstered their defensive line by adding DeMarcus Lawrence from the Dallas Cowboys. The other big move was signing former Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp. The Lawrence signing gives the Seahawks an elite run stopper, adding to a front-seven that includes Leonard Williams, Byron Murphy, Ernest Jones, and Boye Mafe. Seattle’s defense got even scarier. The move to sign Kupp was huge. After losing Metcalf and Lockett, Seattle’s wide receiver room was looking really thin. Even though Kupp has dealt with injuries since his triple-crown season in 2021, he’s proved that he can still play at a high level.

The big thing is Seattle still hasn’t added to their biggest need, the offensive line. Particularly the left and right guard positions. After losing out on Tevon Jenkins and Will Fries in free agency, I’d be shocked if they didn’t draft multiple offensive linemen. Overall, this has been a solid offseason for Seattle, but I’m waiting for the draft to put my final grade on it.

The Warriors anchor – Ryan Dilks

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When you think about the Vancouver Warriors, you probably think about head coach and general manager Curt Malawsky. Who could blame you? He’s a Hall of Famer for a reason. Some players who might come to mind are Keegan Bal, Adam Charlambides, or maybe newly acquired goaltender Christian Del Bianco, and rightfully so. All these players have contributed a ton to the Warriors recent success, but a large part of their success this season is because of the defence. The defence has some studs, namely Matt Beers, Reid Bowering, and Jeff Cornwall, just to name a few. But the anchor is Ryan Dilks. 

Dilks is a two-time National Lacrosse League Defensive Player of the Year. He won his first in 2015-16 as a member of the Saskatchewan Rush, and the second last year in Vancouver. It’s the highest honour in the league that a defender can receive. Even though Dilks is 34, he is still playing at an elite level. He feels that getting up in age made the accolade mean more. 

“It was pretty important, I’d rather obviously (have) won the championship with the boys, but it was important for me just (because I’m) getting older and near the end of my career. I was not losing confidence, but it was nice to (get),show the ability that I can still play at the highest level and still be one of the best players out there. It really helped my confidence level and showed I still got some gas in the tank.” 

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Obviously, the goal that every player has at the start of the season is to win a championship, but it’s great to be acknowledged with an individual award. Dilks feels no different. 

“The goal is to always win the last game of the year and win the cup, but in doing so that kind of results (winning an award) in when you’re trying so hard to win every game that like if you get an independent award out of it and it’s kind of a bonus, but more importantly I wish we could have done better in the regular season.” 

Dilks has played in the NLL for 13 years. He spent the first four years in Edmonton and the next seven in Saskatchewan. He won three NLL championships in Saskatchewan but decided to come to Vancouver before the 2023-24 season. Dilks explained how the Warriors hiring Malawsky made his decision to come to the West Coast an easy one. 

“I was always interested in Vancouver. One, it’s an amazing city, (two), they have great fan support here and then when the team made the move to pick up Malawsky, that was really the icing on the cake for me. It made the decision really easy once you have the right people in the right place. It’s just altered things after that and you can see the result of it so far already.” 

Malawsky’s resume speaks for itself as he’s won championships as a player and as a coach. He’s in the Hall of Fame and knows what it takes to have success in the NLL. He has also helped Dilks grow as a player. 

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“He’s been awesome, his communication is incredible. He tells you how it is, and he gives me confidence. The most important thing is he supports me and my family, which allows me to come and do what I do here the best, so he’s really helped me along the way. I’m happy to be able to play under him so far.” 

The NLL is a unique league where all players have jobs outside of playing. Dilks is able to balance his family and work life, all while playing lacrosse at an elite level. 

“It’s a unique league where I wish this was a full-time league but it is what it is, so it’s all about balance. Since I’ve had two amazing children, it’s become a little more complex, but like I said, you’ve (got to) find the balance and as long as they’re happy. Coach Curt does an amazing job to make sure that everything’s good at home and supports me there so that I’m comfortable, in a good mood, and happy to perform well at my highest level.” 

Dilks is highly regarded in the locker room among his teammates and coaches. Everyone around the organization speaks very highly of him, and rightfully so. He is a true professional in every way and has earned that respect. But how does he describe himself as a leader? 

“I’m a good mix of lead by example on the floor and vocally off the floor. I’ve been so fortunate to play with some great leaders all the way from Colin Doyle, Dan Dawson, Jimmy Quinlan and even guys like Curt. All I can do is learn from those guys what they’ve taught me and then do my best to teach the young guys and let them learn from my experience as well.” 

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One of the things that separates Dilks from the rest of the players is his work ethic. You can’t have a lengthy career without working hard. Dilks is serious about his preparation as he gets ready to perform his best each game. 

“Every week is a little different, but I usually watch a lot of game film during the week and then take care of the family, that’s the most important part. Then when I fly out here (to Vancouver), it’s all business. I start physically preparing, hydrating, eating right and then we go through a lot of practice and a lot of prep work for each team and then I cross my fingers, and hope (for) the best that I have another good game.” 

When a team has a lot of good players, practices are usually intense. The Warriors are no different. For Dilks, practicing with great players helps him get better. Just like what they say, iron sharpens iron. 

“That’s what good teams do. They push each other, they push each other (on) both sides of the ball in practice. It’s hard if you’re not at the top of your game in practice. Sometimes I still get burned by those guys, so it’s good to be against the best and it’s even better when we’re on the same team.” 

The Warriors are in the thick of a playoff race, but with a great player and leader like Ryan Dilks – someone who knows what it takes to win at the highest level – there’s a great chance of doing something special. 

Warriors defence dominates in win vs Rock

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The Vancouver Warriors snapped their two-game losing streak with a 13-8 victory over the Toronto Rock. It was the first game for star goaltender Christian Del Bianco since being acquired last week, and he made 49 saves in his Warriors debut. The Warriors played well in all facets, got stellar goaltending from Del Bianco, and scored 13 goals with contributions throughout the lineup, but it was hard to ignore how well the defence played. The Warriors held the Rock to only two goals in the first half. The defence has been a bright spot for Vancouver, as it has allowed the third-fewest goals in the National Lacrosse League this season. 

Del Bianco was impressed with the composure of his new defence. “There’s just so many veterans, it’s so easy to communicate, and there are a lot of guys  I have pre-existing experience with. Obviously, getting to play with guys like Owen Grant and (Ryan) Dilks for the first time. But guys like Steph Charbonneau, I think (he) had a terrific night. Building that chemistry and trust, there’s a lot that goes with that. It’s not going to be day one, but if that’s our starting point, it’s hard not to be happy.” 

The Warriors defence is anchored by Dilks, who is a two-time NLL Defensive Player of the Year. He is second in the NLL in caused turnovers this season with 25. Grant has also been great all season, as he is fourth in the NLL in blocked shots and fourth in caused turnovers. Veteran Matt Beers and free-agent addition Jeff Cornwall are also bright spots. Even though Vancouver lost Brayden Laity in the Del Bianco trade, other players like Reid Bowering and captain Brett Mydske stepped up their game against the Rock. 

Head coach and general manager Curt Malawsky was pleased with the effort he saw from the defence, with so many stepping up in Laity’s absence. “I made it pretty known that losing a guy like Brayden Laity (is) tough, it challenges the group of guys (that are here). But we said, ‘Hey listen, (Brayden Laity’s) gone, but there are minutes available.’ We need everybody to play to your potential, and kind of ride it from there.” 

Just like his new goaltender, Malawsky also liked the compete level of his defence, 

“Steph Charbonneau had a phenomenal game. (Jackson Suboch) was really good too. (Reid) Bowering had some huge loose balls. I talked to some of those guys in the room about it, and they stepped up. With the minutes that were there, they took advantage of it. So, I liked our (defence). We got in (shooting) lanes, blocked a lot of shots, our guys box out really well and I liked how they competed back there.” 

Friday’s game against the Rock was the fifth time the Warriors had held their opponent to 10 goals or fewer this season, and the addition of Del Bianco should only help the defence continue to have success. With only five games left and multiple teams fighting with them for a playoff spot, the Warriors will need their defence to continue to dominate if they hope to earn a post-season berth. Vancouver has a huge game next Saturday against the Georgia Swarm, which is a game ahead of it in the standings. 

Warriors Acquire Christian Del Bianco From Roughnecks

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The Vancouver Warriors made a blockbuster trade at the National Lacrosse League’s trade deadline on Monday. The Warriors acquired star goaltender Christian Del Bianco from the Calgary Roughnecks in exchange for defenceman Brayden Laity, a first-round pick in the 2025 entry draft, a second-round pick in the 2025 entry draft, and future considerations.

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Del Bianco was drafted 15th overall in the second round of the 2015 NLL entry draft. Since then, he has built quite the resume. He was named to the NLL All-League 2nd Team in 2019, along with winning the NLL championship. However, his best season came in 2023 when Del Bianco became only the second-ever goalie to win the league MVP award. The first was the Buffalo Bandits’ Steve Dietrich in 2006. Del Bianco was also named Goalie of the Year and was selected to the All-League First Team. He also set the single-season record for minutes played by a goaltender (1,080:19).

Christian Del Bianco has established himself as one of the top goalies in the NLL. Del Bianco announced in August that he wouldn’t be re-signing with the Roughnecks and wanted to focus more on his family and life off the floor. In October, Calgary maintained his Franchise Tag under the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), meaning that Del Bianco wasn’t able to sign with another team.

The Warriors have fallen to 11th in the NLL standings and have dropped their last two games. The addition of Del Bianco brings an elite netminder to a squad making a playoff push. Del Bianco has a great relationship with head coach and general manager Curt Malawsky from their time together in Calgary. Del Bianco spoke on what it means to be reunited with his friend and former coach:

“It’s awesome, I’m not going to lie, it’s a huge part of why I wanted to be in Vancouver. Being reunited with Curt, just that level of preparation—there’s never a question I’ll have that he won’t have an answer for.”

All Canucks fans remember when they traded for Roberto Luongo in 2006 and what it meant for the franchise. Luongo is arguably the greatest Canucks goaltender ever and was the backbone of their 2011 Stanley Cup Final run. Curt Malawsky compared the acquisition of Del Bianco to the same magnitude as the Canucks acquiring Luongo and what trading for Del Bianco means to the franchise:

“To be truthful, it’s franchise-changing. I think it’s a parallel to (the Canucks acquiring Roberto Luongo). I’ve known Christian for a long time—we were friends first and foremost off the floor. We won championships together at the world championship stage, and we won in the NLL together. I think we’re very like-minded. I say he’s an old-school throwback when it comes to compete level and how he prepares himself, and his battle fortitude is just off the charts.”

Malawsky also praised Del Bianco as a leader and highlighted how beneficial it is to add a player with his pedigree: “I think, you know, we always say good people make good teams, but I don’t find much better (than Del Bianco). He’s a great person off the floor, he’s a dedicated teammate, he’s very selfless, and the first one to give himself up for the guy next to him. We’ve got a couple of guys training really hard (they’re) up at five in the morning. He’s up taking shots, and he puts the work in and studies really hard.”

“I think that toughness between the ears—his mental toughness that it takes to make the next save when the team needs it—has always been there, and he’s won at every level. There’s something to be said about that pedigree.”

It’s safe to say that the organization is excited about their new star goaltender. However, the Warriors still have some work to do to make their playoff push. Christian Del Bianco will make his Warriors debut this Friday in a huge game against the Toronto Rock.

What The DK Metcalf Trade Means For The Seahawks

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Well, the week of horrors continues for Seahawks fans. The Seattle Seahawks have traded star wide receiver DK Metcalf to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a 2025 second-round pick. The trade comes only four days after Metcalf requested a trade out of Seattle. The Seahawks have already cut Tyler Lockett and traded quarterback Geno Smith. The Steelers also signed Metcalf to a four-year, $132 million extension.

With these transactions, the Seahawks have freed up $68 million in cap space, and with all the holes on offense, they need it. By the looks of it, general manager John Schneider and head coach Mike Macdonald want to focus on building a strong defense and a run-heavy offense—the same recipe that Seattle used to win a Super Bowl in 2013. Macdonald helped turn around the Seahawks’ defense last year and is looking to build off that. They had big years from Leonard Williams, Devon Witherspoon, and Ernest Jones. The offense, however, is a different story.

The Seahawks fired offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb after just one season. The offensive line—boy, where do I begin? Outside of Charles Cross, they were not good, especially the guards. John Schneider has a history of not spending big money on offensive linemen in free agency, and that has been part of the problem in Seattle for the past decade. This year, with the amount of cap space he has, I don’t think he has a choice. You need to have a good offensive line to have success in the NFL. Look at teams like the Eagles and Chiefs. All the Super Bowl-contending teams have that in common. Plus, you need a great O-line to protect your quarterback.

Oh right, who’s Seattle’s quarterback? Remember what I said about Seattle having $68 million in cap space? Expect about $48 million to be spent on a quarterback. Who, you may ask? Sam Darnold. Yep, that’s right—the Seahawks are reportedly the favourites to sign Sam Darnold in free agency. If you told a Seahawks fan two years ago that Sam Darnold would be their quarterback, they might have thrown up. I can attest to this because, as a die-hard Seahawks fan, I would have. But in 2025, that might not be horrible. The quarterback draft classes coming up aren’t the greatest, and do you expect Sam Howell to be QB1? I don’t think so. Seattle already has some very solid pieces on offense in Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Kenneth Walker. If they add Darnold, a few O-linemen, and have a solid draft, these offseason moves may not be so horrible.

Vancouver’s Trade Deadline Horror

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Are you shocked that the Vancouver Canucks didn’t trade Brock Boeser at this year’s trade deadline? As loved as Boeser is in the city, I think everyone thought he was going to be traded, because he should have been. The Canucks and Boeser haven’t agreed to a contract extension, as Boeser is an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season. Boeser reportedly rejected a five-year deal at eight million dollars per season; Boeser is looking for a contract of about eight years. Neither side is going to budge, so it’s looking very unlikely that the Canucks will extend Brock Boeser.

This year’s trade deadline was the ultimate seller’s market. We saw second and third-liners go for first and second-round picks. I’m sure you saw some of the other trades that were happening and thought that the Canucks were going to get a king’s ransom for Boeser. I don’t blame you, but according to general manager Patrick Alvin, that wasn’t the case. Alvin had this to say about the offers he received for Brock Boeser: “If I told you what I was offered for Brock Boeser…you would not believe me.”

Personally, I don’t know if I buy that, considering players like Jake Walman and Scott Laughton were traded for first-round picks. This could mean Alvin’s asking price was way too high for other teams or that the rest of the teams didn’t value the 40-goal scorer. The asset management by the Canucks was brutal, and it’s not just Boeser. Reportedly, the Canucks aren’t close to a contract with center Pius Suter either, and he wasn’t moved at the deadline either.

The thing that is bothering Canucks fans the most is that we’ve seen poor asset management in the past. Jim Benning did the same thing. I know you don’t want me to remind you, but remember when the Canucks didn’t trade Radim Vrbata and Dan Hamhuis at the 2016 trade deadline? Yeah, me too, and we lost both of them for nothing. Unfortunately, the same thing is probably going to happen with Boeser and Suter. A lot of Canucks fans have lost faith in this management team because the last thing we want to see is Boeser leave for absolutely nothing. The Canucks are in need of a top-six center, and the draft picks or players received back in a trade for Boeser could have helped. But instead, we are hit with déjà vu with a terrible trade deadline.

Unless the Canucks go on a deep playoff run and somehow find a way to re-sign Boeser, this year’s trade deadline might end up haunting the Canucks, just like in years past.

NFL Free Agency Preview

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Unless you’ve been living under a rock, we’ve already seen some huge moves in the NFL, and free agency hasn’t even started yet. So far, we have already seen DK Metcalf traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Davante Adams sign with the Los Angeles Rams, Myles Garrett re-sign with the Cleveland Browns, and Josh Allen sign a huge extension with the Buffalo Bills. While some people like the draft or combine more, free agency is by far my favourite NFL off-season period. The last two off-seasons have been very eventful, so should we expect the same this year?

I think so. While it may not top the last two years, this year should still have its fair share of excitement. Last year, the big movers were running backs, we saw Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, and Josh Jacobs all change teams, and they all worked out. This year, the big fish in free agency is… Sam Darnold. Yup, it’s Sam Darnold. If I told you that in 2021, there’s no way you would have believed me. But there are a few teams that will be throwing the bag at Darnold. The Seahawks, Steelers, Giants, and Vikings could all be contenders to sign Darnold.

While Darnold is the big fish at quarterback, Justin Fields and Russell Wilson are the constellation prizes. With DK Metcalf now in Pittsburgh, I think the Steelers may be more inclined to keep Russell Wilson. So that may be something to keep an eye on. It’s been a tough week for Seahawks fans, but by making all those moves, Seattle does have a ton of cap space. There are multiple quality guards that will be in the free agency pool, and the Seahawks HAVE to at least sign one. Teven Jenkins, Will Fries, and Mekhi Becton are all great options to sign in the Pacific Northwest.

On the defensive side of the ball, there are some veterans available. Khalil Mack, Von Miller, and Justin Simmons will be looking for new homes. I can’t wait for tomorrow. I’m expecting more big moves from teams, and I can’t wait to see where some of these players end up.

Brock Boeser’s Best Moments As A Canuck

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Unfortunately, reality is starting to set in that Brock Boeser’s time as a Canuck may be coming to an end. As he hasn’t come to an agreement for a contract with the team, and with the trade deadline approaching this Friday, it’s looking like Boeser will be moved. For me personally, this really sucks, as Boeser was one of my favourite players. When Boeser arrived on the team in 2017-18, he brought something to this team and city that we hadn’t had for a while. That was hope—his electrifying play on the ice showed Canucks fans that the dark days were coming to an end and that there was a light at the end of the tunnel. Boeser is currently the longest-tenured Canuck and has been with the team through thick and thin. He has been a part of some huge moments, so I thought I’d look back at some of the Brockstar’s best moments in Vancouver… so far.

#5 2018 All-Star Game MVP
In Brock Boeser’s spectacular rookie year, he was named an All-Star. It gave Canucks fans some excitement, as the team wasn’t going to make the playoffs. At the skills competition, Boeser won the accuracy shooting competition, which, for Canucks fans, already made the weekend a success. At the All-Star Game, Boeser capped off the weekend by winning the All-Star Game MVP, adding to what was already a special rookie season.

#4 First NHL Goal
Every player’s first goal is special, but for Boeser, his was a little extra special. Boeser’s first NHL goal came in his NHL debut and in his hometown against the team he grew up cheering for. The ultimate trifecta! This was a sign for things to come, and Boeser started off his career on the right foot.

#3 First NHL Hat-Trick
I was fortunate enough to be at this game, and it was one of my favourite Canucks games I’ve been to. This was the game Boeser put the league on notice. Hockey Night in Canada, against the defending Stanley Cup champions. Boeser lit up the Penguins for his first career hat trick and showed the league that the Brockstar had arrived.

#2 4-Goal Game vs Edmonton
After a few rough years and dealing with the passing of his father, Boeser was dealing with trade rumours before the start of the 2023-24 season. In the first game of the season vs their division rival, the Edmonton Oilers. Boeser had the best game of his career, scoring four goals. If anyone needed a game like this, it was Boeser, and it was the start of a career year for him, as he scored 40 goals and put up 73 points.

#1 Playoff Hat-Trick vs Predators
Canucks fans will still have very fond memories of this game. The Canucks were not playing well and were down 3-1 with just under three minutes to play. It looked like the series would be heading back to Vancouver tied 2-2. That was until the Brockstar came to the rescue. Boeser had scored the lone goal for Vancouver, and then he scored two goals with the goalie pulled to tie the game for Vancouver and sent the game to overtime, where Elias Lindholm would eventually score the winner and complete the improbable comeback for the Canucks. It was one of the best Canucks games I’d ever watched, and it only makes me wonder if things would have been different if he had been able to play in Game 7 vs. the Oilers in the second round.

If Boeser is moved by the deadline, I wanted to express how lucky we were to have a player like him, and he left us with a ton of happy memories.

Should The Canucks Be Sellers At The Trade Deadline?

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To say that the Canucks’ road trip was a disappointment may be an understatement. The Canucks went 1-5, dropping close games to the Vegas Golden Knights and Utah Hockey Club. However, the concerning part was losing to the Seattle Kraken and Anaheim Ducks. Those losses were inexcusable, and the Canucks are losing ground in the playoff race. To make matters worse, Quinn Hughes didn’t play the last 9:05 minutes against the Kraken on Saturday, and his status is uncertain for Wednesday’s game against the Ducks. With the trade deadline quickly approaching on Friday, March 7th, the Canucks’ recent struggles have had people wondering if they should be sellers at the deadline.

The Canucks were on the cusp of heading to the Western Conference final last season, and now they may be sellers at the trade deadline. There are plenty of reasons for that—the J.T. Miller drama, the Thatcher Demko dilemma, and Elias Pettersson, which is what I’m going to get into. Elias Pettersson has been the talk of the town recently, but for all the wrong reasons. His $11.6 million cap hit and play haven’t aligned. Petey has looked like a shell of himself. Forget scoring and putting up points,he’s not even getting shots on goal. For Canucks fans who think he has mailed it in after getting his payday, that is simply not the case. He hasn’t lost his skill either,he is still only 26. Pettersson is hurt; it’s the same knee issue that hindered him in the second half of last season and during the playoffs. You can clearly see that he is not 100%, and if you ask me, he shouldn’t even be in the lineup. He should be resting, otherwise this is only going to get worse.

So, what do they do at the deadline? The Canucks are barely hanging on to a playoff spot and they have more questions than answers. I don’t think it’s time for a fire sale, but you have to look ahead to next season if Hughes is out long term. Brock Boeser is the biggest question mark. He rejected a five-year deal worth $8 million per season. I think if you can’t get a deal done with Boeser, you have to move him at the deadline, because you can’t let him walk for nothing. The Canucks have said they want to add another forward, so I could see them trading Boeser for a top-six center. Otherwise, I’m not sure they will do much. What do you think? Should the Canucks be sellers at the trade deadline?

The Not So Great 2019 NHL Draft

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Nearly six years have passed since the 2019 NHL Draft. Early on, this draft seemed pretty solid with players like Jack Hughes, Cole Caufield, Matt Boldy, and Moritz Seider. While those players are still very good, they seem to be some of the few hits from the draft. Spencer Knight, who was taken 13th overall, was seen as a can’t-miss goalie prospect. He was just traded to Chicago, but he is one of the few misses from the 2019 NHL Draft. So, let’s rewind to 2019 and look back at some of the not-so-great selections thus far. I want to remind you that these players are still only 24 years old, so there is still time for them to turn their careers around.

Kappo Kakko – 2nd overall, New York Rangers Believe it or not, there was actually some debate about who should go first, Jack Hughes or Kakko, after Kakko helped lead Finland to a gold medal at the 2019 World Juniors. Looking back at that now, you must be laughing, and rightfully so. After six lackluster years in the Big Apple, Kakko was dealt to the Seattle Kraken earlier this year. He has started to turn it around in Seattle, but he hasn’t produced as a second overall pick should have.

Kirby Dach – 3rd overall, Chicago Blackhawks Kirby Dach has battled various injuries throughout his NHL career. When he has been healthy, he still hasn’t produced as expected from a third overall pick. Dach was traded to the Montreal Canadiens in 2022, but the injury bug followed him, as he only played two games in the 2023-2024 season.

Alex Turcotte – 5th overall, Los Angeles Kings Similar to Dach, Turcotte has battled his share of injuries. He didn’t make his NHL debut until 2021 and has only played 85 total games in his career. Hopefully, he can stay healthy, perform, and live up to his potential, but as of right now, Turcotte doesn’t look like a great pick, especially at fifth overall.

Vasily Podkolzin – 10th overall, Vancouver Canucks As a Canucks fan, this one hurts, especially seeing Cole Caufield and Matt Boldy taken just a few picks later. At the time, Podkolzin seemed like a steal because he fell to number ten due to being under contract for two more seasons in the KHL. Podkolzin played 79 games in his rookie season but only managed to register 26 points. He spent the next two seasons bouncing up and down between the NHL and AHL. He was traded to the Oilers before this season and added to the long list of Canuck draft busts.

Who do you think was the biggest miss of the 2019 draft ?