Author Archives: Jaden Teja

Luka Doncic Traded To The LA Lakers

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Late Saturday night we got one of the biggest trades in NBA history. The Dallas Mavericks sent superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Laker in exchange for Anthony Davis. Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris also headed to the Lakers, while Max Christie went to Dallas. The Utah Jazz also were involved, getting Jalen Hood-Schifino and a 2025 second-rounder from both the Mavs and Lakers. This was a move that nobody saw coming. As Doncic is one of the best players in the NBA, most people would have thought he was untradeable. 

Luka had this to say about the trade on twitter. “Seven years ago, I came here as a teenager to pursue my dream of playing basketball at the highest level. I thought I’d spend my career here and I wanted so badly to bring you a championship. The love and support you all have given me is more than I could have ever dreamed of. For a young kid from Slovenia coming to the U.S. for the first time, you made North Texas feel like home.” 

 

The trade sent social media into a frenzy as tons of people thought it was fake. Personally, I couldn’t believe it either. Doncic just took the Mavericks to the finals last year and with Kyrie Irving the team looked to be on the cusp of a championship. The Mavericks haven’t had the season that they have hoped and with Luka expecting a supermax contract they thought the best move was the trade the superstar.

 

I don’t get it and I don’t like it. It was looking the the Lakers were going to be a rebuilding team after Lebron James retired. Now giving them Doncic who is only 25 is setting them up great for the future. Its great for the NBA, the biggest team will be good for another decade. But not fun for the fans. Especially Mavericks fans. What do you think about the trade?

Canucks Red Wings Recap

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A game that the Canucks needed to win, a game that they should have won, a game vs a team that played last night. They lost in overtime. For a league  leading 11th time. Oh, was this frustrating. The Canucks got on the board first and even outshot the Red Wings 27-18 but somehow found a way to lose this game. Even though they deserved two points the Canucks played well. So I’m going to focus on the positives. The new guys Filip Chytil, Marcus Pettersson and Drew O’Connor played well. The Canucks even played well overall. Quinn Hughes who was a late scratch dealing with an undisclosed injury. Filip Hronek played well in Hughes’s absence. 

Elias Pettersson (D-Petey) was one of the best players on the ice for Vancouver, he even recorded his first career NHL point on the Canucks’s first goal. I want to see this kid play more. He’s got a great shot that can get through traffic, can move the puck well and can skate well. I wouldn’t be surprised if he got more playing time sooner rather than later. Filip Chytil might have been the best forward for the Canucks. Making great plays on both ends of the ice and scoring the tying goal for Vancouver. 

 

Now the negatives. You might be surprised to hear this or you might not. Elias Pettersson and Brock Boeser. It wasn’t that they played bad, it was more so they couldn’t make the plays when the team needed them to make a clutch play. Boeser had countless opportunities so score and just couldn’t find the back of the net. Then in overtime the Canucks had a two-on- one with a chance to win the game. Pettersson and Boeser going down to the wing, Boeser makes a great pass to Pettersson and he sails it over the net it had to be at least three feet over the crossbar. It wasn’t fun. 

 

But hey the Canucks got a point and have a home game with the Colorado Avalanche awaiting on Tuesday night so the Canucks don’t have too much time to dwell on this loss.

Canucks Red Wings Preview

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With all of the craziness that’s gone in the past couple days, the Canucks play a hockey game today. I’m excited to see the new guys in the lineup. It seems like a new era of Canucks hockey. There has been so much noise around the team over the last month. Now with JT Miller finally being dealt to the Rangers hopefully the team can just get back to just playing hockey. No more media noise, just need to focus on winning games.

https://twitter.com/Canucks/status/1886132144520782028

The Canucks are a point back of the Flames for the final wild card spot and four points back of the Kings for third place in the division. It’s all laid right in front of the Canucks. They need everything to fall in place. To kick start this month they play the Detroit Red Wings who just played last night in Calgary. The Canucks need to take advantage of this. They need to start fast and not look back. Ok I guess I’ll talk about it. It’s the perfect game for Elias Pettersson to get going. I hope they keep him on a line with Brock Boeser and Jake Debrusk.  

 

This is the start of the playoff push for the Canucks and they need to start gaining momentum. The break for the four nations face off is two weeks away. The Canucks need to start winning games now. It starts tonight. Kevin Lankinen is in between the pipes. We’ll see Marcus Pettersson and Filip Chytill make their Canucks debuts in front of a fired up Canucks crowd. I’ll be there tonight and I can’t wait. The boys need this one and the puck drops at five o’clock. Let’s get back to winning games.

What Does Acquiring Marcus Pettersson do for the Canucks?

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The Canucks made two huge splashes in a span of a few hours. First, sending JT Miller to the New York Rangers. Then flipping the first round pick they acquired from the Rangers to the Pittsburgh Penguins for defenceman Marcus Pettersson and Drew O’Connor. You might be confused on what the Canucks are doing. I don’t blame you, it’s a lot to take in. I’ve got you covered so don’t worry.

The Canucks needed another defenceman badly. Quinn Hughes is playing 24:15 minutes a night. Which is way too much and you can see it’s starting to affect him. Outside of Filip Hronek the Canucks blueline is very bleak. We all thought Carson Soucy was going to be the same player he was last year and he hasn’t even come close to that. So what does Patrick Alvin do? Something he’s done before. Flip a first round pick that he just got for a top four defenseman. When he did it the first time, trading the first round pick he got from the New York Islanders after trading Bo Horvat, Canucks fans were not happy. This time it makes a lot more sense and I love this move.

 

This is a move that a team who wants to make a deep playoff run makes. A team with Stanley Cup aspirations makes. The Canucks already have Hughes and Hronek they need another player who can play big minutes who is also very good defensively. That’s exactly what Pettersson is. Look at any team who’s won the Stanley Cup. What’s one thing they have in common? They all have great defence cores. You know what they say defence wins championships. Adding Pettersson to this defence core will help this team immensely in the long run. 

 

Especially in the playoffs, when you have to play players like McDavid, Mackinnon and Kaprizov. Quinn Hughes can’t play half the game in the postseason. Pettersson will help eat some of those minutes while stopping some of  the game’s elite players. Another thing that would help is if Carson Soucy can return to form. Soucy was the teams best defenceman not named Hughes or Hronek last year and was a big reason for the Canucks success. If he can find that form again the Canucks defence will get a massive boast. 

 

This move also tells me that Patrick Alvin believes in his team. The Canucks are at the point of trading draft picks for assets for deep playoff runs and I love that.The time to win is now. I know that this season hasn’t been the greatest. But just wait, the best is yet to come and I think this team is going to turn this ship around.

Canucks Acquire Marcus Pettersson From Penguins

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After trading JT Miller a few hours prior. General Manager Patrick Alvin was still busy working the phones. The Canucks made another splash trading for defenceman Marcus Pettersson and Drew O’Connor from the Penguins. Vancouver sent the first round pick they got from the Rangers along with Vincent Desharnais, Danton Heinen and 2023 3rd round pick Melvin Fernstrom. There’s just something so funny about the Canucks essentially trading Miller for another Pettersson. Well this Pettersson is also pretty good. Some casual fans might not know about Marcus Pettersson. But that’s ok. That’s what this article is for.

When you think of the Penguins defenceman the first names that come to mind are Erik Karlsson and Kris Letang. Rightfully so, but Marcus Pettersson might be the most complete defenceman they had. He’s averaging 22:03 of ice time while playing well on both ends of the ice. This should make Quinn Hughes’s life a lot easier. Pettersson only has one year left on his contract and is definitely someone the Canucks should extend. He will become the Canucks number three defenceman and adds depth to the blueline.

 

Patrick Alvin did something very similar when he traded Bo Horvat to the Islanders. But not as instant. Trading the first round pick he got for a top-four defenceman. I’ve wanted the Canucks to trade for Pettersson since the beginning of this season. Especially since the Canucks didn’t add any quality defenceman in free agency. They needed to get another top four defenceman and they did.

 

The Canucks dumped two players who weren’t playing well to get an upgrade on defence. This is one of the reasons I love Alvin. If a player isn’t performing he gets rid of them to improve the team it doesn’t matter how long they’ve been there. If you aren’t helping the team win you aren’t an asset. This is the sign of a great general manager. The Canucks now have three Petterssons on the roster and look to get hot at the right time.

What Does The JT Miller Trade Mean For The Canucks?

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So the Canucks did it. They made the move all of us Canucks fans were waiting for. They traded star forward JT Miller to the New York Rangers. The return wasn’t what a lot of people were expecting. It was a bit underwhelming for a player who put up 103 points last year. But that’s what happens when Jim Rutherford kills any leverage the Canucks had. It was just a matter of trade before a trade was coming. Whether it was JT Miller or Elias Pettersson. The Canucks had to do something to turn this season around. 

 

After last year and the playoff run the team went on we all expected big things from the Canucks. This year they haven’t even come close to what they were. So  does trading one of your best players help you win more games? Are the Canucks going to rebuild? What does this mean for Rick Tochett? Let me break down what the Miller trade means for the Canucks moving forward.

We all know about the drama with Miller and Pettersson. Now Millers gone, so is Pettersson going to return to form. I sure hope so. Petey’s best stretch this year was when Miller went on his 10 game absence. At first I didn’t want to read too much into it. But as they say the proof is in the pudding. It seems like Miller has been a dark cloud around the Canucks but now he’s gone. Just like Katy Perry says “After a hurricane comes a rainbow”. So hopefully Pettersson can return to the player he was a year ago. 

 

The trade goes beyond Pettersson. Its about the whole team getting their act together on both sides of the puck. The addition of Filip Chytil gives the Canucks a center who is defensively sound. Something Miller hasn’t been this year. This might also open up more playing time for Nils Hoglander who is another player who’s had a disappointing year.

 

A player I want to see thrive from this is Jake Debrusk.  He’s been hot and cold this year. Ok enough with the Katy Perry references. Debrusk was brought in to play with Elias Pettersson and get first unit power play time. He hasn’t gotten that consistently this year. Hopefully with Miller gone he is playing in the top-six full time. It’s crazy that he isn’t already but regardless I want to see more from Jake. Management thinks this is a playoff team and the Canucks have no choice but to prove that they are. Its now or ever for the Canucks to make a run.

JT Miller’s Legacy In Vancouver

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When the Vancouver Canucks traded for JT Miller back at the 2019 NHL Draft there were mixed reactions by Canucks fans. Some were happy the Canucks added a dynamic winger to a young up and coming team. While others like myself thought trading a first round pick for a 40-50 point player was a bit steep. Well what I can say now is that I was so wrong. In Miller’s first year in Vancouver he lead the team with 72 points and was tied for first in goals with 27. Playing on the “lotto line” with Elias Pettersson and Brock Boeser. He helped lead the Canucks to the playoffs, where they would eventually fall to the Los Vegas Golden Knights in seven games in the western conference semi final. 

 

The 2020 season was special for the Canucks. Even though the season was shortened due to Covid and the playoffs were in a bubble. The emergence of Elias Pettersson, Brock Boeser, Quinn Hughes and Thatcher Demko showed the league the Canucks had arrived and were going to be a force to be reckoned with moving forward.  The addition of JT Miller was also a huge part of that. After not handling the salary cap very well (Thanks again Jim Benning). The Canucks lost a bunch of key players in the  off-season and the 2021 they missed the playoffs.

 

Even though the team didn’t play well Miller was one of the Canucks most consistent forwards putting up 46 points in 53 games. In the following season Miller put up 99 points but his defensive game suffered leaving a lot of fans frustrated. With the Canucks not playing well trade rumors grew and a lot of Canucks fans were in favour of trading Miller. In the offseason the Canucks re-signed Miller to a seven-year contract worth eight million dollars annually. Personally I was shocked. I thought Miller was on his way out for sure.

Miller always played with an edge and was a bit of a hot head. Leading to some turmoil with his teammates. This was put on display when he was slamming his stick on the back of the net trying to tell goaltender Colin Delia to skate to the bench for an extra attacker vs the Winnipeg Jets. But a lot of fans liked this about Miller. Some people thought  the Canucks needed more players like Miller who play with an edge and with their heart on their sleeve. 

 

The 2023-24 season was where it came all together for the Canucks. They made the playoffs winning the pacific division and Miller led the team with a career high 103 points. Miller played great defensively all year and scored the biggest goal of his life in game five in the second round vs the Edmonton Oilers. Miller potted the winning goal with 31 seconds left in the game leading to 18,000 fans chanting his name throughout Rogers Arena. Unfortunately that was the peak.

 

This season the Canucks haven’t had the season they had hoped. His rocky relationship with Elias Pettersson brought too much negative noise around the team. Miller took a 10-game personal leave in mid-November. Miller’s play dipped as well, leading him to be traded to the New York Rangers. Miller leaves Vancouver 11th in points in franchise history. Whether you loved him or JT Miller his impact on the ice will never be forgotten in Vancity.

Canucks Trade J.T. Miller To The New York Rangers

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Well the Vancouver Canucks finally did it they finally did it. The traded J.T. Miller. After all the drama and all of the talk in the media it finally happened. It seemed like it was just a matter of time after Jim Rutherford did an interview earlier in the week saying it was unlikely the Canucks keep both Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller. There were rumors circling all week about potential trades. Whether it was Pettersson to Buffalo or Columbus, or Miller to Dallas or New York. Just before the Canucks faced off against the Dallas Stars the news broke. 

The Canucks J.T. Miller back to the team that drafted him. The New York Rangers. The Canucks also sent defenceman Erik Brannstrom and 2022 6th round pick Jackson Dorrington. Vancouver received center Filip Chytil, Victor Mancini and a 2025 first round pick (top 13 protected). Personally, I really liked Brannstrom in Vancouver. He can skate and move the puck really well. Unfortunately head coach Rick Tochett didn’t like him. Causing him to be healthy scratched for a lot of games. 

 

The return otherwise is headlined by Filip Chytil. With the Canucks sending Miller to the Rangers they were going to need a center back in return. Ideally someone who is 25-27 years old and is defensively responsible. Chytil checks both of those boxes. Chytil has been battling concussion problems the last few years. Only playing 10 games last season but when he was healthy in 2022-23 he put up 45 points in 74 games. Currently he has 20 points in 41 games and the Canucks hope he can develop into a solid second line center.

 

This return seems very similar to when the Canucks traded Bo Horvat to the New York Islanders but maybe even a little bit less. Previously the Rangers offered Chytil, Ryan Lindgren and a first round pick. But after Jim Rutherford killed a ton of Vancouver’s leverage in trade talks the return for Miller may seem a bit underwhelming to Canucks fans. I was praying for Alexis Lafreniere in return but that may have been a bit of a stretch. But what I can say is that the Canucks needed a shake up and they got one. Hopefully this can light a spark under Elias Pettersson and turn this season in the direction it should be going in.

Max Scherzer Signs With Bluejays

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The Toronto Blue Jays have made a splash in free agency signing three time Cy Young award winner Max Scherzer. Scherzer signed a one-year 15.5 million dollar contract. He only pitched 43.1 innings last year with the Texans Rangers due to multiple injuries. This is what Scherzer said last year on his injuries. “Look, this season’s been obviously frustrating for me. Probably the most frustrating season of my career. But the only good news is now I can go into the off-season healthy. My back’s good, my arm’s good. The real serious things that you need to think about and talk about are actually in a good spot. I still believe I can put you at a high level. There’s nothing stopping me from doing that. Just right now, my body is not fully cooperating.”

Scherzer will be a first ballot hall of famer when his career is done. He is an eight time all-star and won three Cy Young Awards while compiling 216 wins, 2,878.0 innings and 3,407 strikeouts. He has played for the Rangers, Detroit Tigers, Washington Nationals, Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets.

 

His best days are behind him but the Blue Jays aren’t expecting the Scherzer from 2014. They just need another arm in the rotation. Hopefully one that will stay healthy as well. That has been the biggest concern with Scherzer the last couple years. The Blue Jays need a deep playoff run this year or it could be the end of the core in Toronto.

Four Nations Face-Off Captains Announced

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The captains for the four nations face-off were announced today. Some of them were no-brainers, while others could  have been  different. Let me break it down for you.

 

Team Canada: Captain Sidney Crosby, assistants Connor McDavid, Cale Makar

 

This was a no brainer as long as Sidney Crosby is playing he is captain Canada. No further questions. I don’t care how good Connor McDavid is, his time will come. Crosby has the experience to lead a country and is still an elite player. I don’t think it’s time to pass the torch just yet. Especially after leading Canada to gold in 2014 at the olympics and the world cup in 2016. It’s still Crosby’s team.

https://twitter.com/NHL/status/1885040283760427260

Team USA: Captain Auston Matthews assistants Charlie McAvoy, Matthew Tkachuk 

 

I figured that Auston Matthews would be captain. If you could be the captain in Toronto, being the captain of team USA might be easier. Matthew Tkachuk being an assistant is understandable. He is a leader on the Panthers and is a huge part of why they went to back to back Stanley Cup finals. The questionable one in my opinion is Charlie McAvoy. I think it should be Quinn Hughes. Hughes is already the captain of the Canucks and is a great leader. He is also a better defenseman than McAvoy so I do have some questions with this choice.

 

Team Sweden : Captain Victor Hedman assistant Mattias Ekhlom, Erik Karlsson, William Nylander

 

Much like Canada’s decision naming Crosby captain. I think Sweden did a similar thing naming Victor Hedmen captain. Hedman is a veteran leader and is going to play a key part in the tournament for Sweden. I don’t have any problem with the either of the assistants. However, I am pleasantly surprised with William Nylander being named an assistant captain. It shows the strides that Nylander has made as a player and leader. Nylander has often shown up in the playoffs and keeps his players accountable on and off the ice.

 

Team Finland: Captain Aleksander Barkov assistant Mikko Rantanen  Sebastian Aho Mikeal Granlund

 

These might have been the easiest choices of the tournament. Barkov captained the Panthers to a Stanley Cup. Aho and Rantanen are two elite players that will help lead Finland in this tournament. As for Granlund he’s had a very solid year in San Jose and will provide some great veteran leadership.

 

I’m very excited for this tournament which is just over two weeks away. How about you?