Halford & Brough in the Morning Drancer Talks Canucks + What We Learned
Mar 12, 2026
Thomas Drance, The Athletic Vancouver writer and Canucks Talk host, gives sharp analysis of the Canucks' roster and rebuild timeline. He compares Montreal, Toronto and San Jose models. He discusses locker-room traits to prioritize, trade considerations for valuable pieces, and who might become the next long-term captain. Short takes include NHL enforcement quirks and recent sports news highlights.
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Montreal's Rebuild Edge From Ready-Made Stars
- Kent Hughes had a massive advantage in Montreal because Suzuki and Caulfield were already NHL-ready when he launched a rebuild.
- That allowed Montreal to use cap-era devices (waivers, trades, claiming undervalued players) to add NHL-ready contributors during a flat-cap period.
Canucks Need Hart Trophy Talent To Shorten Rebuild
- The Canucks lack cornerstone under-25 players and that absence will likely extend the rebuild compared to teams that already had elite young cores.
- Thomas Drance says Vancouver must focus on finding two to three Hart-level young stars within a five-year window to become contenders.
Monetize Noncore Players When Their Value Peaks
- Don't get attached to non-core players; monetize them when their value peaks to restock the prospect pool.
- Drance uses San Jose trading Fabian Zetterlund and Mikael Granlund at peak value as an example of ruthless roster management.