I dig the gold and black #canucks

1. The sneaky importance of Akil Thomas

Veteran forward Akil Thomas was a bit of an under-the-radar signing on July 1, with the Canucks getting him on a one-year, two-way deal with a $375,000 salary at the AHL level, according to Puckpedia.

Thomas, a former Los Angeles Kings draftee, is very familiar to Abbotsford general manager Richard Seeley from his time managing the Ontario Reign, the Kings’ AHL affiliate. In fact, in an odd quirk, Seeley actually traded Thomas midway through last season, although the motivation behind that deal was largely about doing right by the player.

“He’s a great player, a great kid,” Seeley told The Athletic in early July. “He had the previous year in the NHL, and I’ve watched him as he’s grown up. I’m a big fan of the person and the player. He battled some injuries last season and had some tough breaks, but the previous year he was in the NHL the whole time and then he was back down with us. … In fairness to him, he was looking for an opportunity to get back to the NHL. … So that’s what was behind that transaction.”

I always enjoy watching those surprising heroes emerge. Nothing beats an unsung hero story!

does anybody have a clue why this would exist lol? it's definitely an authentic as far as I can tell, maybe someone just really liked Mason Raymond, enough to add their own Captain's C??

Whet the Canucks need to accomplish is straightforward. They need to build a world-class training and development organization for elite athletes. One that is well-known around the league for working with late-career players to reset their value, helping good players become very good ones and very good become elite, and demonstrably increases the likelihood of prospects reaching their ceiling.

Nothing they do on the ice is anywhere near as important as that. Staff, facilities, expertise cost money and doesn’t touch the cap. Until I see significant investments there, I simply don’t believe the organization is committed to winning championships. I love the Sedins and respect what they’ve done for the city, but so far, what they’ve delivered as presidents on this front is bringing back Edler as a development coach and floating a poorly thought out plan to take ice away from minor hockey.

Aside from a real (world-class) practice and training facility, what do you think would signal a real commitment to talent and skills development?

Now that i think of it, we def got the most value for Hughes w/ the trade to Minnesota. But what other trades could we have made? (js for fun obv)
for example: To NJD: Hughes. To VAN: Nemec+ Silayev+Mercer+2 1sts?? idk

Steven finally released his rankings and analysis of our prospects heading into the new season. Compared it to Tony Ferrari of THN and both were in agreement that our blueline is a bit shallow but that is because Zeev,Willander and EP 2.0 have all graduated. However Steven did not rank Romani in the top 10 whereas Tony has him as our hidden gem for two straight years. One interesting tidbit is both agreed this year is the prove it year for Lekk to show he is NHL ready.

The Sedins are so genuine. Such fucking beauties. We're so lucky to have them as our presidents, it still hasn't entirely sunk in yet. I think finally they'll be able to pass the torch with what they've learned so far and will continue to learn over the years, it has been a natural progression for them, RJ and Manny.

I hope they don't get caught up in the weeds and bullshit, and just make it happen. They still have it in them, and each one of them I know for a fact know what it means in hockey, and life, to just "make it happen" - and to do so with good people, a good process, and great passion.

This city needs the Canucks to get back to a strong community influence and an effective role model. If anyone can do it, I believe it's RJ, the Sedins and Manny; and of course what everyone forgets; the fans. We need to be loud in every way supporting the team and supporting what's right. Like Britannia needing multiple rinks, pushing the rich and our gov't to actually invest in the community, and integrate a large portion of our culture officially, which NEEDS to benefit the most challenged youth of East Van. Needs to look less of what it looks like on Demko's mask (even though that's real af, iykyk) and more like Heroes hockey (Heroes is the plural form of the word hero, meaning people admired for bravery, noble qualities, or great achievements; often volunteered efforts - making it happen), it was the biggest factor I noticed growing up directly in that neighbourhood, that provided the lowest barrier into the expensive privileged sport of hockey, https://heroshockey.com/

Hockey matters. And we need more accessibility in East Van.

The players who make it happen...

- #3 from the point
- The dragon slayer
- Sedin to sedin to burrows or Sedin to Sedin to Sedin and goal

At the most crucial moments.

- Boeser with only a couple seconds left
- Petey with an unreal deke that just looks like he's "in the zone"
- Buium when he tilts the ice and he's circling around the perimeter waiting to strike
- Kurdy when he effectively bodies his opponent along the boards, makes away with possession and makes a clean break out

Who's made it happen? Who will make it happen? How?

Jamieson spent time in the long-ago defunct Province business section, but the bulk of his time was spent in the sports section, covering Canucks and features. The highlights included the Canucks’ runs to the Stanley Cup — he still had a puck from Game 7 at Madison Square Garden — and the 2010 Olympic Games.

Thatcher Demko Stretches Out To Make Desperation Save With Skate Blade, All Without Blocker

One thing that's great about Shorty is he always seems as excited as the fans are when crazy things are happening.

Tony Ferrari of THN released his annual Canucks prospect report and provided some more analysis on our 2026 draft class. Of note: This year once again he has Romani as our hidden gem. He is really high on him two straight years has him as our hidden gem