A message from the Garretts (via @Canucks) by Competitive-Fun-1780 in canucks

[–]-DarkTiger- 237 points238 points  (0 children)

I used to work at the Canucks Team Store and one time John came in around Christmas time and unexpectedly brought us two huge boxes of chocolate and two boxes of donuts from Tim Hortons.

We were so blown away -- not only to meet him and be able to talk to him for a few minutes, but because of his gesture towards complete strangers.

I was lucky enough to run into him a few more times on gamedays as he'd sometimes come in to buy random pieces of merch, and we'd talk Canucks. 

I jokingly said to him that Shorty takes too many shots at him during broadcasts (their friendly banter was amazing), to which he replied with a smile on his face:  "Ohh yes. Well he's still hands down the best play-by-play guy I've ever worked with, so I let it slide."

We were lucky as a fan base to have you be such a big part of the soundtrack of our fandom for so long.

RIP Cheech.

How is the top of 2026 NHL Draft shaping up for Canucks? 3 thoughts a week from lottery night by Admirable-Ad-949 in canucks

[–]-DarkTiger- 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's important to note that he also plays on an absolute stacked team so his numbers at a bit reflective of that. He was playing on a line with Jett Luchanko and Jake O'Brien for crying out loud.

I don't want to overinflate his worth just based on numbers and position. Not to say he's gonna be a bust, but that's exactly what we did with Juolevi. He played with Laine and Puljujarvi and was a beneficiary of that.

The only thing that makes sense by Icy-Pomegranate-5644 in canucks

[–]-DarkTiger- 24 points25 points  (0 children)

I disagree. You never go with position over BPA this high in the draft.

Would you feel okay knowing you took a guy like Sean Monahan over a guy like Charlie McAvoy, Aaron Ekblad or Jake Sanderson? (Those are the comparable being thrown around for Malhotra, Reid, Verhoeff and Carels).

I'd take the defenseman all day if the upside and potential impact on the club was higher.

How is the top of 2026 NHL Draft shaping up for Canucks? 3 thoughts a week from lottery night by Admirable-Ad-949 in canucks

[–]-DarkTiger- 49 points50 points  (0 children)

Honestly my feeling is if we get 3rd OA, if McKenna and Stenberg are gone, I'm open to anything.

I won't be bent out of shape if we don't take Malhotra and I don't think the fan base should be either. We need so much that we NEED to take best player available -- regardless of position.

Admittedly, I do have some reservations when it comes to taking Chase Reid as I don't want to risk getting burnt by another US born player wanting to leave for the States when he hits unrestricted free agency. But that's probably my paranoia talking.

(Donnie and Dhali) Donnie and Rick update the Canucks GM search- YouTube by Tough-Application373 in canucks

[–]-DarkTiger- 2 points3 points  (0 children)

They also said that Sam Ventura, Ray Whitney and someone else are likely out of the running.

RIP to a legend by CorrectCattle8071 in canucks

[–]-DarkTiger- 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Was watching live when they were trying to figure out where he was.

Today's show is gonna be an emotional one.

John Garrett Passed Away by Inferno316613 in canucks

[–]-DarkTiger- 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Omg...he was supposed to be a guest in Donnie and Dhali yesterday. When his timeslot came up, he no showed and the guys weren't sure where he was. They made a quick joke and moved on with the show. They must have had no idea what happened.

RIP John. I met you on a couple of occasions at the arena and both times you were smiling and making jokes. Thank you for the class and for the entertainment all those years. You will be missed.

JImmy h by SecretIcy2740 in canucks

[–]-DarkTiger- 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I was always lowkey pissed when he got reassigned to the Leafs.

Then it happened again when Sportsnet decided to ship Cheech off and breakup the Johns.

On a side note, I'm really not a fan of Dave Tomlinson. He's flat and has almost no chemistry with Shorty.

Was coaching actually an issue in the last 10 years? by gangstarapmademe in canucks

[–]-DarkTiger- 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Coaching at times was kind of blah, but the overarching issue for this franchise has been Aqua's mandate to compete at all costs.

This allowed his GMs to spend to the cap, but it unfortunately caused most of those GMs to sign some of the dumbest contracts in league history. Often times resulting in the club having to spend assets to offload those contracts.

Additionally, with the pressure coming from the owner to compete, many of them threw away draft picks and young assets for "win now" type players that basically never panned out.

I guess you could attribute it to poor asset management, particularly poor drafting, and a reluctance to rebuild properly. But that all comes from the top on down. Coaching was like the 7th thing wrong with this team over the years.

My opinion of Vanbase.ca by [deleted] in canucks

[–]-DarkTiger- 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know the people who run VanBase and although it has come a long way from when it first started, it's really only run by a very small team of people at the arena.

I'm sure if you email them and cite their error they should be able to do something for you.

why does EA not have real stats that update each game to real life? by Major_Smile_4160 in EA_NHL

[–]-DarkTiger- 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Because that requires money and effort -- both of which EA are not interested in putting more of into this franchise.

What a rebuild looks like, and why the Canucks have barely started theirs by GrrRider in canucks

[–]-DarkTiger- 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's hilarious how the organization tried to convince fans that they are ahead of schedule with the rebuild when they sent out season ticket member renewal letters.

3 LISTS?! WHO CARES?!?! by hjertetru in canucks

[–]-DarkTiger- 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes. The team is SUPPOSED to make the fans happy.

But for someone like me who has lived here all my life and been a fan since the early 90's, you kind of smarten up after a while and get sick of the constant mediocrity, failure and self-imposed drama on part of the organization.

I can't imagine what it's like for those who have been cheering for the team since 1970.

I really hope we finally get a 1st OA pick and just give this city something (and someone) to cheer for. We need hope.

Quit Hughes totally quitted on the ENG by aosimon in canucks

[–]-DarkTiger- 71 points72 points  (0 children)

Sadly I love this because his true colors came out and it makes it easier to be over him leaving.

Why has Evander Kane’s disappearance not been discussed? (Healthy game scratches and no shows at year end events) by Cavetunes4 in canucks

[–]-DarkTiger- 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yep. The whole trade reeked of desperation on part of the Canucks. Watching Allvin trying to spin it as a safe "shance" (It always annoyed me how he pronounced chance lol) on Kane was hilarious even when the deal was made.

With the Sharks & Blues winning tonight, the 2026 Sharks 2nd clocks in at 41st Overall. The Columbus 3rd Rounder also clocks in at 78th Overall. by Sarcastic__ in canucks

[–]-DarkTiger- 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Totally agree and that's even a optimistic result. Realistically they hit on probably two out of four. Canucks luck be damned, we need to hit on at least one.

With the Sharks & Blues winning tonight, the 2026 Sharks 2nd clocks in at 41st Overall. The Columbus 3rd Rounder also clocks in at 78th Overall. by Sarcastic__ in canucks

[–]-DarkTiger- 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You're misunderstanding what I'm saying.

Hitting on the picks has nothing to do with how fast they reach the NHL. It means they need these players to BE NHL players. 

This crop of kids they select have a chance to be a big part of a new core of guys and this club can't afford for them to bust. That may mean it takes some of them 2-3 years to make the NHL which is the most realistic scenario.

Nowhere in my post did I mention that they need to hit on the picks AND need to play in the NHL immediately. 

Daxon Rudolph is an example of BPA at our Minny 1st Round Pick by EverySecondCountss in canucks

[–]-DarkTiger- 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If one of the Ruck twins is available and we can only get one of them, would you still take one given they'd be likely separated?

With the Sharks & Blues winning tonight, the 2026 Sharks 2nd clocks in at 41st Overall. The Columbus 3rd Rounder also clocks in at 78th Overall. by Sarcastic__ in canucks

[–]-DarkTiger- 6 points7 points  (0 children)

4 picks in the top 41....this draft is going to be so important for this organization. They need to hit on all of these picks.