Canucks Mailbag: What to make of Pettersson’s future, the next coach and more
In the season-ending mailbag, Iain MacIntyre answers your questions about various topics for the Vancouver Canucks along with some thoughts on ice cream and Scottish castles.
VANCOUVER — Normally, I ask the questions. But I’ve got to give readers and followers credit for the slew of sharp or fun (or both) questions that were submitted for Sportsnet’s annual Canucks season-ending mailbag.
Hopefully, next year’s mailbag will be in June.
Thank you to everyone for participating and, as always, riding along with me during the season.
I knew there would be Elias Pettersson questions and a few about ice cream, but the response to Scottish castles was especially impressive. I’ve answered 25 questions for 2025.
I don’t think the noise is unique to Vancouver, but it does make it more difficult for some players. Former NHL coach Ron Wilson (before he took over the Maple Leafs) once said it was too hard for Canadian teams to win the Stanley Cup due to the extraordinary scrutiny and pressure. And since Canada’s Cup drought is approaching 32 years (times seven teams), the argument probably has merit. But that passion, which you can see now with the Leafs, Oilers and Jets in the second round, is what makes hockey Canada’s game and why many players, including Quinn Hughes, have talked about how special it would be to bring the Stanley Cup north of the border.
Interesting question, Dan. The Canucks were Tiger Tail – a constant clash between opposing forces. Delicious when in balance, but too much licorice can bully the orange and ruin the overall flavour. Maybe management was the cup.
Hi Sam. For all the turmoil and disappointment of the season, Brock was off to a solid start with six goals and 11 points in 12 games when he was concussed by Tanner Jeannot’s head shot in L.A. on Nov. 7. By the time he came back, J.T. Miller was on leave and Filip Hronek was about to get injured, Brock was starting to struggle and the snowball was rolling the wrong way. His trade value never recovered.
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I hate to be evasive, Cassidy, but it depends. If Brock wants full market value and the Canucks don’t believe he’s worth that, that’s a lot of money available to spend on a replacement. But if it were up to me, I’d find a way to re-sign Boeser. Great person, excellent teammate, professional and has shown that he is a reliable top-six contributor. Is that worth $8-million-plus annually on a long-term deal? We’ll find out before or after July 1.
I hope not; there are already empty cups everywhere in the press areas. We don’t need any more encouragement to eat and drink.
I’m going to say 15, the great majority of them in ruin and mostly unattended on the remote West Coast, where my family is from. Two of my favourites are on the wild and windswept Kintyre Peninsula, near my dad’s hometown of Campbeltown. Saddel and Skipness castles. Staggering history (and beauty) in this area. Eilein Donan Castle is like a postcard, but Urquhart, on Loch Ness, has become a tourist trap.
Hello, good doctor. I think they were planning to get their team sorted out and still make the playoffs; they certainly didn’t go into the season with the idea of burnishing their assets to make them more appealing in trade. In the end, the criticism was about accountability, part of the culture change Tocchet and Allvin were trying to undertake. And since I’m in the truth business, I can’t complain about people answering questions bluntly and honestly.
That’s a fair question. It was always risky to lean on Pettersson to sign a long-term deal ahead of the 2024 deadline since his reticence to do so seemed like a red flag. And he has struggled since then. Rutherford did say that cost certainty usually makes players more tradeable, not less, and Pettersson still had 191 points over the previous two seasons. The Canucks have not given up on him (although he could still be dealt).
Thirty-two NHL general managers would agree with you, Al. But every lawyer on Earth would argue otherwise. Mind you, look at the current Justice Department in the U.S., so anything is possible.
You may get your wish, Pat, because Allvin and Rutherford think the world of Manny Malhotra, who has been outstanding in his first season as a head coach in the AHL. But as I’ve said, given where the Canucks are and the dysfunction of last season, a strong, experienced coach has a better chance to command the room and build up leadership.
Howie, you are the Carolina Hurricanes of the mailbag. Volume shooting. Here we go:
1. They should be back in the playoffs next season.
2. Let’s hope we don’t need to find out.
3. I don’t believe they’re losing money.
4. One of them will still be here, but don’t ask me who.
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Dunrobin looks beautiful but is more of a manor house than a castle, so no, I haven’t been. Was up at Golspie two summers ago to play the golf course, but didn’t see any birdies there, either.
“Superstar” is an awfully high bar, and the best chance they have of getting one is if Elias Pettersson returns from the wilderness. But I do think they will trade for a top-six centre and sign a couple of wingers with upside.
Still can’t watch without cringing. As God is my witness, I left a two-seat gap between Dave and me because I knew at some point they’d put a camera on Shorty and Tomlinson. But how could I know Greg Shannon would come up with that crazy-ass angle from the corner? After I cringed, I laughed because it was so bad, but it was good. Best sundaes are at Crypto in L.A., but there are usually ice cream bars in the press box freezer in Toronto. And in New York and Salt Lake City, reporters get a voucher for any in-arena food outlets, including that incredible ice cream stand in Utah that enabled my embarrassment.
Not a terrible question, Terry. I’m happy to dine with any or all of the above. But Randeep and Batch don’t travel for radio. I sometimes eat with John, Daniel, and Dave, but they are on the broadcasters’ clock: early dinners, often at a place with an NHL game on TV. Unless it’s a straight travel day or non-practice day, I’m often writing until 6-9 pm. Beat writers used to eat and drink together, but we’re usually down to one now on Canuck trips.
Is there a chance Jamie Benn might leave Dallas as a UFA to finish his career near home? My fantasy trade target would be Ryan O’Reilly. Depends entirely on which direction the Predators and O’Reilly want to go, but he is a former captain, Stanley Cup winner and natural leader who wins faceoffs and competes, remains productive and has two years left at a $4.5 million bargain cap hit. The Canucks have leaders in guys like Hughes, Hronek, Myers, Marcus Pettersson, Demko and Lankinen, but the leadership needs support.
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Needs a wardrobe update.
I thought you were punking me, Alex, but I Googled and there is a Birnam Wood. I’ve been around Perth, but not much. I know when I write my novel what one of the characters will be named, so thank you for that.
Money. Many people have noted, accurately, that land is not cheap in Vancouver. It’s also not cheap in Seattle, California, Toronto and New York. The Canucks and their arena are worth about $2 billion. They can get this done.
Hi Leigh. I think logistically, an AHL-NHL facility is a long shot. I believe the Canucks did talk to UBC (and others) but couldn’t get the deal they needed to build a 20,000 square foot training compound attached to an existing rink. Which is why they’re now going to go it on their own, Rutherford said.
Hi Leon. I’m pretty sure management has kept Quinn in the loop on most things. So I think communication isn’t a problem. Communication wasn’t a problem between Rick Tocchet and Patrik Allvin, either.
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Hi Chris. Word at the year-end pressers was Chytil felt 100 per cent and planned to fully train this summer and be ready for the fall, which was excellent news. But the problem with his concussion history is you don’t know what the next heavy hit will bring. Talented player, seems like a good guy, definitely well-meaning and has been through too many dark injuries for someone his age.
Well, Rogers Arena wasn’t exactly a fortress this season. But I’ll answer the third one. If under siege, I want Conor Garland and Kiefer Sherwood because they’re fighting to the end and, if necessary, will pour burning oil on those trying to breach the castle.
Actually, I can’t. I live near Steveston, where excellent ice cream, coffee joints, sushi, fish and chips and Indian food abound. But I will say, I stopped in recently at Earnest Ice Cream, kitty corner from MEC near Science World, and it blew my mind.
Hello, Viking. I grew up here, so have watched the Canucks from birth and will watch them after I retire (or no longer have this job). Like each Canadian NHL team in their market, the Canucks are the greatest reality show going. Frustrating, yes. Ignorable? Not for me.
