Live Chat With James News Headlines, New York Shooter and Deep Dive into 2025/26 Vancouver Canucks

Live Chat With James News Headlines, New York Shooter and Deep Dive into 2025/26 Vancouver Canucks Season Analysis

#News #Headlines #livechat #ProPicsTV #BreakingNews #Sports #NHL #NewYork #NewYorkShooter #NYC #NYCNews #NewYorkCity #Manhattan #Manhattanshooter #NFL #NYPD #NYAttack #AirCanada #DavidEby #MarkCarney #Newsnow #Worldnews #LawEnforcement #GunControl #VancouverCanuck #indepth #Canucks #QuinnHughes #AdamFoote #Canucksteam #CanucksNation #NHL #NHLSeason #Hockey #Hockeyreport #BCFerries #SurreyPoliceService #RCMP #NorthVancouverTreatmentPlant

Episode Transcript

(00:07):
Good evening. I'm James Quesnel here for live
chat with James at the Profits TV studios in Vancouver, BC
Tonight we begin not with the heartbreak in New York City
where a nation is in mourning. We'll have an in depth report on
the mass shooting in a Manhattanoffice tower that has left five
people dead, including a a police officer and a city

(00:27):
grappling with another senselessact of violence.
We'll get to that story in just a few minutes.
Closer to home, a war of words between Victoria and the Ottawa
Premier David Evie accuses the federal government of structural
unfairness over fairy funding asPrime Minister Carney slashes
rates on the East Coast will breakdown the dollars in the

(00:48):
deep sea. Detentions and turbulence ahead
for summer travelers. Air Canada's 10,000 flight
attendants begin voting on a strike mandate today, demanding
an end to what they call povertylevel wages and unpaid work.
Plus the fallout from the Surreypolicing transition in the ever
ballooning cost of the North forhis new sewage treatment plant

(01:11):
and what it means for your property tax bill.
First, we'll go to Manhattan. Now, as we touched on at the top
of the hour, there is of course a lot of questions coming out of
New York City at this hour as opposed or sorry in relation to
the shooting that took place at a Park Ave. office tower.

(01:33):
Now, we do know more informationis coming out about this shooter
and about this situation that has happened.
Now, as we talked about this yesterday, for those who have
not heard, a gunman opened fire inside a busy office building,
leaving a trail devastation tonight we or tonight's now that
it's 12:04 AM where I'm at at the studios in Vancouver.

(01:57):
So it may be a different time zone where you are.
But in any event, that left a trail of destruction,
destruction and devastation. We know that at least five
people were killed, their lives cut short in an attack that once
again forced America to confrontits epidemic of gun violence.
Among the dead is in New York City.
Police officer, one of the firstto respond to the scene.

(02:20):
Now he was actually working as asecurity guard, he was off duty
and that is a means for police officers to make extra money and
get extra overtime in terms of the revenue and their income.
This was probably especially important to this officer as he
did have children in a family and was expecting a child very

(02:43):
soon. Now, there is a there are
conflicting reports whether ERD has children or this is his
first child. But regardless, he had a family
and it's sad to see this 3 half your dedicated police officer
taken from his family way too soon.
Now his stories have appointmentreminder of the profound

(03:04):
personal loss that ripples out of these tragedies and the
diverse fabric of the city he's sworn oath to protect.
He was an immigrant from Bangladesh, and as I said, him
and his wife were expecting another child or their first
child very soon. So again, he moved to New York,
presumably to the United States,in search of achieving the

(03:27):
American dream. He made it to one of the top,
the world's top police forces. I mean, the NYPD is recognized
as one of the top leading policeforces in the world.
And he was there to dedicate hislife to those members of the
city that he called his neighbors and his friends and
the people who welcomed him and his wife as they arrived in the

(03:49):
US. Now this is of course in
addition to the other civilian victims and their names are
being withheld until notification of their family has
been done. Now, there are others who were
reportedly injured in the gunfire, but details are still a
little sketchy as different reports are coming out with

(04:11):
different varying numbers. So we will leave it at that for
now in order not to cause even more confusion on the
information coming forward. Now, the keeping with the
ethical guidelines to avoid giving notoriety to perpetrators
of mass violence will not be focusing on a whole lot of

(04:31):
information about the information about the individual
responsible. But the authorities have
confirmed the name of the individual and they have also
pointed out that he did have a suicide note in his pocket upon
discovery by police. They noted that he had suffered

(04:51):
some brain trauma and allegedly was suffering from some type of
rejection from the NFL as well. Now he did in his suicide note
asking that his brain be studied, that it be donated to
science in order to study the impacts of concussions and other
brain injuries on the brain longterm.

(05:14):
Now, whether or not that will happen, we'll have to wait and
see. But again, I do believe that
that will happen. Now the investigation is a
massive multi agency effort. The New York Police Department
is leading the probe with significant assistance from the
FBI. Under the Investigative
Assistance for Violent Crimes Act, the federal government can
provide resources in mass killing events, and they seem to

(05:38):
be doing so in this situation. Now those resources include the
FBI's elite Critical Incident Response Team and evidence
specialist behavior analyst experts who are now working to
piece together a timeline and uncover a motive.
As we look at it, we know that there are at least 5 dead,

(05:58):
including the the attacker himself due to self-inflicted
wounds will state. And it happened in Midtown
Manhattan at the office tower that houses the NHL and or sorry
the apologies, the NFL as well as Blackstone and other
corporate headquarters. Now the suspect, as I said, is

(06:22):
deceased at the scene and the motive is unknown and we will be
following that and see where it takes us in the coming days as
more information is made available.
Now, the firearm was a long barrel gun, a automatic weapon
from what I understand. And while the motive here

(06:45):
remains unclear, the FBI notes that such attacks are rarely
spontaneous and that REACH research shows that perpetrators
are often on a pathway to violence, exhibiting observable
concerning behaviors before theyact.
Whether that was the case here will be a central question for
investigators. And I just happened to have, and
this is not a paid endorsement or plug, but there is a book

(07:08):
available that actually goes over warning signs and
indicators of violence to help to help intervene before violent
attacks take place, whether that's in schools, whether it's
in businesses or out in the regular community.
Now, a great resource, it's called Youth Violence and
International Crisis Fighting Violence by and against Youth.

(07:30):
And it is an excellent resource for you to understand a lot more
about the warning signs and indicators of someone who may
have a predisposition of violence and how to identify
such warning signs. Now, as we continue the
investigation, it will of courseinvolve the city mobilizing its

(07:51):
extensive crisis response network.
And that will, of course, continue on.
In the meantime, a lot of peopleare gathering at a makeshift
vigil town in New York and trying to grapple with the
events that took place. The New York's Office of
Emergency Management is coordinated in the city and

(08:13):
state response, ensuring supportservices are available.
Community organizations also like the New York Disaster
Interfaith Services, are providing spiritual care, while
school crisis teams are preparing to help students and
staff process the trauma. As we know that it's not just
the individuals in that buildingthat are impacted, but yet a an

(08:35):
entire city, an entire nation that feel the pain when mass
acts of violence take place. One thing about it though, is
that it is a testament to a citythat has learned through tragedy
how to care for its own. We know that New Yorkers may
have a reputation of being gruff, of being tough, but at
the end of the day, when the rubber hits the road, they come

(08:57):
together and they support each other like no other city on
earth. And that is my personal opinion.
But together, I believe that NewYork will come through this and
they will be stronger as a city,as a community and and come
together this one. When we look at this, we also
wanted to just point out that ifyou are feeling or dealing with

(09:24):
certain challenges in your personal life, your emotions,
your maybe it is depression, maybe it is manic episodes.
Whatever the case may be, if youare feeling that you are
suicidal or homicidal or anything else that you feel
you're a danger to yourself or others or just need some extra

(09:45):
support to get through your gaze, then you can call or text
988. Again, that is the National
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Again, McCall or text 988.
I do believe that you can also look at the Crisis text line by
texting HOME to 741-741. Now these are this is a Canadian

(10:13):
report, so you may want to checkyour local numbers.
If you need assistance, by all means, just Google it or contact
your local emergency department or your healthcare provider.
With that said, again, the shooting of course, does not
happen in a vacuum. It reignites A fierce national

(10:33):
debate over gun control in America.
This is something that we will see a lot of over the next few
days. Let's keep in mind that we're
going to also hear a lot of politicians coming out and
saying that their thoughts and prayers are with the victims.
But again, thoughts and prayers is not what they need.
People need some type of restrictions on gun, on guns, on

(10:57):
gun ownership as that is what saves lives, not hopes and
prayers. Now, as we talk about this, the
alleged individual who perpetrated this act, again,
we're not going to spend a lot of time to glorify this
individual or give them a lot ofnotoriety.
But I think that it is very important to understand that

(11:19):
this again was someone with mental health issues, brain
injuries and other points that definitely could have been
indicators that to a concern of issuing A concealed firearms
permit. And he allegedly had that issued
from Las Vegas Metropolitan Police.
And again, this is being reported and come across our

(11:44):
desk. So we wanted to bring it to you.
That said, of course, we know that different states have
different regulations, differentareas when it comes to whether
it's concealed carry permits or whether it is open carry permits
and so forth. So again, the regulations differ
from state to state, but it's time that they take a serious

(12:05):
look at the options to try to control the gun violence in the
US. At the same time, I also agree
that there is something to be said for the balance of
responsibility. And when I say that, I mean that
gun ownership should come with aresponsibility that you need to

(12:25):
take in order to have that license and maintain your
license for your weapons. I don't believe in in gun
restriction completely. I do believe that there is a
certain ridiculous level that that you can argue when it comes
to, you know, AK-40 sevens and such being on the market.

(12:46):
There's no place for those in society, in my opinion, outside
law enforcement and military. I don't believe that they are
needed to hunt rabbits. I don't think they're it needed
to hunt pigeons or other types of wildlife.
That's be honest about it. It's about the fascination with
weapons, the sense of control and power that individuals get

(13:09):
when using firearms and most people are responsible.
They go to the firing range, they get training, they've
handled them well. They locked them up properly and
securely and gun safes and it's a small number of people that
act out in ways such as this alleged accused individual.

(13:29):
With that said, again, going even further, it is rare that we
see the deaths by gunshots by registered owners.
A lot of times they are guns that end up in the hands of
criminals because a they were smuggled, B they were stolen or
other nefarious means of obtaining those weapons.

(13:51):
It's not usually the the legal owners that are the issue.
And with that said, of course there are exceptions.
And here we see that this individual had a concealed
firearms permit and he had that long barrel gun.
So again, we look at that and there are exceptions, as I said,
to every rule. But again, it's a matter of

(14:14):
responsible gun ownership combined with responsible gun
regulations. And I think that there is room
to be fully compliant with the Constitution and amendments
while at the same time balancingthat with the need for public
safety and the safety in Community Schools, businesses
and elsewhere. And so again, that's my feeling

(14:38):
on it. Once again, for anybody of
interest, that was just asking in the chat rooms.
The book again was called Youth Violence and International
Crisis, and it's fighting violence by and against youth.
But again, it has amazing resources in there to be able to
help identify warning signs and indicators of someone who may be

(14:58):
looking to act out in a violent manner, especially in mass acts
of violence. The ISBN number on that is 978,
144-998-3529. If you e-mail the show at Smile
at Profits TV or sorry, Profits canada.com, that's Smile at

(15:20):
PROPICS canada.com. We'd be happy to send you a free
PDF ebook copy of that for your reference and hopefully to
spread around to others to educate on the prevention and
intervention of gun violence. Once again, I don't think that a
complete gun ban is a responsible or a realistic

(15:41):
approach. I think that there's got to be a
balance there. But again, as we look at this,
it is apparently the individual had spent the last several days
traveling from Las Vegas, NV to New York City where he
participated in this act today. Now, data from the Centres for

(16:03):
Disease Control show the overallnumber of Americans killed by
guns, including homicides and suicides, remains near record
highs, with nearly 47, 1000 deaths in 2003.
The political response is following a painfully familiar
script. Gun safety advocates are
renewing calls to ban assault weapons and expand background

(16:23):
checks. In Washington, Democratic
senators are pushing a bill to create a permanent White House
Office of Gun Violence Prevention.
Again, that seems like a very common sense approach thus far,
but it is a conversation forced upon a grieving city and a
divided nation once again, and it's not gonna be something

(16:44):
that's going to be decided overnight in a knee jerk
reaction to this event. Our thoughts and our prayers, of
course, are with all of those individuals in New York City who
were witness to this, who may have been victims to this, and
of course, to the condolences inthe most sincerest form to the

(17:05):
families, the friends and colleagues of those whose lives
were taken way too soon. OK, so as we return to the
regular program, we'll take a look at a battle over billions
on the West Coast where Premier EB says BBC is getting a raw
deal from Ottawa on ferry funding.
And that story will be up in just a moment.

(17:28):
With that said, I'd just like tosend a special thank you out
there to this episode sponsor, Kerry Movers Limited.
That's KARY Movers Limited and they provide local and long
distance moving within the MetroVancouver, Fraser Valley area
and Western Canada. You can find them online at
www.carryovers.com. That's KARY movers.com for all

(17:52):
of your local and long distance moving needs in that Western
Canada family owned and operatedfor several decades, Their
dedication and experience exceeds your expectations.
Now back to our report to Political Storm, as I said, is
brewing between British Columbiaand Ottawa, with Premier David

(18:12):
Ebie accusing the federal government of structural
unfairness in how it funds fairyservices across the country.
With that, of course, the premier's anger was sparked by
an announcement today on the East Coast.
And actually that would have been yesterday because we're
just after midnight and I wrote this up earlier.
But in any event, the current government is fulfilling an

(18:33):
election promise, slashing fairyfares by 50% where passengers
and vehicles on the federally run Marine Atlantic service
tools on the Confederation Bridge to PEI are also being
cut. Premier Evie says PC ferry users
that deserve the same treatment,pointing to a staggering
disparity in federal support. Now, for those of you

(18:56):
unfamiliar, BC Ferries is a service that provides not only
ongoing service to various points on Vancouver Island, but
also is the main secure transportation network that
services not only the the local islands here off the coast of
southern British Columbia, but also in northern regions as

(19:18):
well. And acts as a lifeline for those
communities, whether it's for grocery and servicing or if it
is for the residents to get to the mainland for doctors
appointments, medical treatmentsand so forth.
So again, a very complex issue, but at the end of the day, it is
David EB, the premier of BritishColumbia, who's fighting with

(19:40):
Mark, Bernie and Ottawa in the interest of bringing the prices
down for British Columbians who rely on the BC ferry service for
their daily lives and for sustainability in those regions
and on those islands. Now, when we take a look at
that, the federal, federal or sorry, that federal, federal,

(20:00):
the federal ferry subsidy per user in Atlantic Canada is
approximately $300 coming from the from the government, whether
that is federal or provincial, but it is a or sorry, that is
federal, sorry. So, yeah, so in Atlantic Canada,
the federal subsidy per user is about $300 per year and for each

(20:26):
user. In British Columbia it's
approximately $1.00. So again, it just shows the
disparity between the subsidies going to each of those
governments. I don't know what the numbers
are in terms of tourism use and other non essential service for
the ferry services. But I do know that here in
British Columbia there is a vastnumber of tourists that use the

(20:51):
BC ferry services each and everyday at all points throughout the
province. And that of course, brings in
revenue in addition to the dailyuse by commuters and by
residents of those islands. Now, the federal government
argues the situations are different if Marine Atlantic is

(21:13):
a federal Crown corporation, a constitutionally mandated
service. BC Ferries, on the other hand,
was privatized by the province in 2003 and operates as an
independent company. So again, very important
distinction there. But the premier, on the other
hand, says that the distinction doesn't excuse the imbalance.
The dispute is further complicated by our recent

(21:35):
controversy over shipbuilding. Ottawa publicly criticized BC
Ferries for contracting a Chinese state owned company to
build 4 new vessels. Yet as EBIE has pointed out,
Marine Mcclintic recently received a new theory, paid for
by Ottawa with the very same builder in China that BC Ferries

(21:58):
has recently awarded the contract to.
Now, it's a frustration that taps into a deep vein of Western
alienation, the long held sense that federal policies often
favor central and eastern Canadaat the expense of the West.
So we'll have to just keep an eye on that story and see how it
develops and see if we get anything for our money here on

(22:21):
the West Coast. Now, again, cheap viewers said,
can we get this same person? Well, it might not be the same
person, but the same type of spam that they're sending in the
chat room. So I apologize for that.
Botanical following. B, again, just trying to promote
their service. I appreciate that that's coming

(22:42):
in from Twitch, but again, we donot pay for viewers.
We just strictly work on organicgrowth and organic viewers.
So I appreciate you reaching outbotanical following B, but we do
not pay for followers. Now let's move on to another
story and that is the Metro Vancouver board has voted to

(23:05):
pause an independent review intothe projects catastrophic cost
overruns. And as we are talking about that
we are talking of course about the North Shores new wastewater
treatment plant. Now this has been an ongoing
controversy for years as it's progressed or it lacked of
progress. But the board says the review

(23:26):
can't proceed until it's legal dispute with the plants former
contractor Cornea is resolved orAcciona, whatever their name is.
And at this again is the former contractor who is no longer
associated with the project. However, it is in the midst of
litigation now critics, including some North Shore

(23:47):
counselors, are calling an attempt to duck accountability.
And that, of course, is that independent review that should
move forward regardless of the civil litigation that's taking
place now. They argue the real cost
explosion happened after Metro Vancouver fired the original
contractor in 2021. Once again, we will have to

(24:12):
watch and see how this continuesto just drag out.
The original estimate of the project from 2018 was $700
million, and in 2021, the budgetballooned to 1.058 billion.
Now, the current estimate has skyrocketed even further and

(24:34):
more than tripled to rate in 2024, totaling $3.86 billion.
Now, the completion date is of course delayed.
It was supposed to open four years ago and is now looking at
not opening until 2030. Now that's nearly $4 billion
price tag is being passed directly to the taxpayers again

(24:57):
in a time when taxpayers across the nation are already grappling
with rising costs with inflationand the questions about what the
Bank of Canada is gonna do in September when it comes to
interest rates. As we look at that, the
homeowners are now facing an extra $590.00 per year on their
utility bills for the next 30 years.

(25:20):
And that is just for this one project.
Homeowners in Vancouver will payan extra $150.00 with other
parts of the region seeing hikesas well.
Now the financial fallout is so severe that Metro Vancouver
recently announced its deferring$1.1 billion in other planned
infrastructure projects across the region.

(25:42):
This is a direct consequence of this one project failure.
Now, commentators are increasingly pointing to the
plant as a symptom of larger problem.
And that is a bloated bureaucracy at Metro Vancouver
that lacks transparency and accountability.
And from my personal opinion, I would have to agree that that

(26:02):
definitely is a problem. Now let's move over across the
river to Surrey. Yes, a divisive transition is
happening. The most expensive and divisive
policing transition in Canadian history continues.
This is, of course, at the Surrey Police Service, or RSPS.

(26:23):
It is now officially the police have jurisdiction, but the
transition is far from over. Under a phased model, the RCMP
will continue to provide supportin some districts until the USPS
is fully staffed, a process thatis estimated to be completed
around 2026 or 2027. In its first 60 days, the

(26:46):
command the SPS says its officers responded to over
18,000 calls for service in the Wally and Newton districts
alone. But this transition remains
deeply controversial. This City of Surrey is still in
a court battle with the provincial government arguing
Victoria overstepped its authority by forcing the city,

(27:07):
excuse me, to abandon the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in
exchange for a new police ServiceNow, the legal fight and
the transition itself come with a hefty price tag again being
pushed down to taxpayers now. The court case also revealed
sensitive allegations of harassment and bullying between
the SPS and RCMP officers working together, highlighting

(27:30):
the operational friction behind the political battle.
Now let's move on to some labourturbulence and why unpaid work
won't fly. Finally, tonight does.
Summer travel plans could face significant disruption as Air
Canada's flight attendants movedone step closer to a strike.

(27:50):
Voting begins today for more than 10,000 flight attendants at
Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge.The vote on the strike mandate
will run until August the 5th. If members approve and no deal
is reached, a strike could beginas early as mid-april or sorry,
mid August. I don't know where I got April
from. The union know QP says its

(28:14):
members are the breaking point they are looking for in terms of
their key demands is better pay.And the union says entry level
wages are unsustainable and end to unpaid work.
An average of 35 hours a month is unpaid.
And improved pensions and work rules.
Again, we'll watch and see how that plays out.

(28:36):
But the core grievances, of course, the unpaid work.
The union says flight attendantsare not paid for an average of
35 hours a month for critical duties like pre flight safety
checks, boarding and deplaning. Their current contract is a
decade old and they say wages have fallen far behind
inflation. This dispute is a wider trend of

(28:59):
labour action across Canada in the week of the pandemic.
Unions are seeing renewed support and are more willing to
use strike action to secure better deals, as seen in the
recent recent disputes at WestJet and Canada Post.
Let's make note though, that theCanada Post dispute is not yet
resolved either. Now that is our main broadcast

(29:22):
in terms of our news stories andevents that we're making
headlines locally and around theworld today once again, we will
update you tomorrow, tomorrow night show and that will be of
course updates on the incident in New York and other headlines
and news stories that are makingthe rounds.

(29:43):
And tomorrow at this time, once again, you've been watching Pro
picks here it sorry coming to you from here in Vancouver, BC
I'm James Kuzhal. Let's stick around here though
and talk hockey. The Vancouver Canucks again have
made a bunch of moves this offseason after a very dismal

(30:04):
performance in the previous season.
Now we will take a look at the Vancouver Canucks and what we
can hope for looking ahead. Again, these are opinions and
and statistics as well as other information.
So again, let's take a look at what we think is going to be

(30:25):
happening with the Vancouver Canucks in the 202526 Vancouver
Connect season. Yes, they are at a crossroads in
Connect country and this is an in-depth analysis of our
connects coming up now. The 20252026 Vancouver Canucks
season stands as a critical inflection point for an

(30:46):
organization navigating the turbulent waters between
contention and a potential tear down.
Following a 2024-2025 campaign defined by profound
disappointment and a stark regression from the year prior,
management has orchestrated one of the most aggressive and
transformative offseasons in recent memory.

(31:08):
The narrative for the upcoming season is one of rapid high
stakes retool, issuing a patientrebuild in favor of an immediate
foundational change. Their report will detail a
franchise in flux, examining thecore themes and that will define
the Canucks journey. The organization has initiated a

(31:28):
complete cultural reset. This is beginning with a new
look coaching staff under the command of Adam Foote, tasked
with three sorry with rectifyingthe perceived lack of compete
and accountability that played the team on the ice.
A series of bold roster moves the highlighted by the
acquisition of veteran power forward Evander Kane and the

(31:49):
surprising retention of starvingor Brock Besser.
And for my personal opinion folks, I am coming to you from
Vancouver. So I have been a diehard
Vancouver Canucks fan since I was a kid and I am really happy
to see Brock Besser staying in Vancouver.
I really hated to see or even think about him leaving the

(32:12):
organization. Now we hope that that will
inject grid, address scoring depth and reshape the team's
identity. These window maneuvers are
underpinned by a foundational that on revitalization of its
core Stars project, particularlywith the franchise centre Elias
Pettersson just steered the teamback to the Stanley Cup Playoffs

(32:32):
again. Patterson had a very lackluster
year and now I really think thatcoming into the 20252026 season,
he has a lot to prove not only to the fans and the
organization, but also to himself.
And I personally have a lot of faith that he will do just that.

(32:55):
I think he's gonna come in healthy.
I think he's gonna be working extra hard throughout the summer
and conditioning and and health.So I really have a lot of
positive thoughts about Patterson as we go into the new
season in September or October. Now this analysis will explore
the inherent tension in the strategy.

(33:15):
In the strategy, the push for immediate results versus the
long term development of a promising but unproven prospect
pool. The Vancouver Canucks have made
their choice, prioritizing stability and identity over the
financial flexibility, a decision that has already had
significant ripple effects on the rosters depth.

(33:36):
The season ahead is not merely about wins and losses, it's a
referendum on this core groups ability to lead and a test of
whether this aggressive overhaulcan truly forge a new winning
identity here in Vancouver. Now let's take a look at the
anatomy of a collapse. The deconstruction of 2024-2025

(33:57):
campaign Before we look forward will take a quick look back now
to understand the sweeping changes of the 25 off season, 1
must first dissect the comprehensive failures of the
2425 season. After a promising 20/23/24, this
subsequent campaign was by all accounts a lost season where

(34:18):
just about everything went sideways.
The team finished fifth in the Pacific Division with a record
of 3830. Fourteen for a total of 90
points. Falling 6 points short of a
playoff worth of the collapse was not a simple slump, but a
systemic breakdown evident in both starts, just statistical
regressions and alarming intangible deficiencies.

(34:42):
Now the statistical freefall. Let's take a look at the numbers
from 2024 to 2025. That season paints A grim
picture of a team in full retreat.
The offensive firepower that hadbeen a hallmark of the team
vanished, exposing a fragile defensive structure.
Now the evaporation of the offence was the most

(35:04):
catastrophic decline occurring among the team's top players.
The top five scorers from the previous season saw their
collective point production plummet by an estate astonishing
135 points. While captain Quinn Hughes
delivered another brilliant individual season, producing 76
points in just 68 games, he was an outlier.

(35:27):
Key secondary scorers like BrockBesser and Connor Garland
managed only 50 points each, a steep drop off that left the
team starved for goals. The team finished 23rd in the
NHL with only 233 goals for a clear indicator of their
offensive struggles. Now let's not forget the
defensive decay. More alarming than the than the

(35:50):
offensive drought was the complete erosion of two way play
from the team's best players. The same group of top offensive
contributors who posted stellar collective plus -146 rating in
the 2023-2024 cratered to a dismal -49 in 2024-2025.

(36:10):
Now, this 195 point swing is indicative of a team that was
consistently on the wrong side of the puck.
Players like Best You're finished with a -, 25 rating,
underscoring a lack of defensivecommitment that permeated the
lineup. The team's overall goal
differential settled at -18, allowing 251 goals against,

(36:32):
which ranked 18th in the league.Now let's take a look at the
power play and consistency. While the power plays overall
ranking only slipped from 13th to 15th in the league, it's
effectiveness was severely diminished.
The core group of power play contributors scored 59 fewer
points on the man advantage compared to the previous year,

(36:54):
which is a major loss of production from a critical unit.
Now let's take a look at the intangibles and a crisis of
compete. Beyond the quantifiable data,
the 2024-2025 season was marked by a widely perceived failure of
the team's character and foundational work ethic.
The quality of assessment provides the crucial context for

(37:19):
the offseasons aggressive cultural overhaul.
Analysts and scouts observed that the overall commitments to
detail in all three zones in therequired complete level to
battle through adversity simply was not there.
This was not a case of a few players having an off year.
It was a systemic failure of thecore to sustain momentum from

(37:40):
the prior season. The season concluded with the
mutual departure of head coach Rick Tackett, who had amassed a
successful .608 winning percentage during his tenure.
This move signaled that management believed the issues
ran deeper than coaching tacticsand were rooted in the
composition and mindset of the locker room itself.

(38:01):
The statistical collapse was notthe disease.
What is a symptom of a deeper cultural malaise?
Setting the stage, of course, for a mandate to change not just
the roster, but the very identity of the Vancouver
Canucks franchise. Now let's take a look at the
summer of sweeping change. Yes, the offseason overhaul.

(38:24):
In response to the failures of the 2425 season, the Connects
front office, led by general manager Patrick Allman,
initiated a franchise altering off season.
The objective was clear, to perform a rapid and aggressive
retool aimed at instilling a newcultural of accountability,
adding size and grit, and stabilizing the core to return

(38:47):
to playoff contention immediately.
Now the new voice behind the bench of course is Adam Foote
and his era is about to begin. The 1st and most significant
change was behind the bench. Following Rick Talk's departure,
the organization promoted assistant to Adam Foote to head
coach, a move that signaled A dramatic philosophical change

(39:09):
and a foot revered former defenseman and two time Stanley
Cup champion is known for his toughness and uncompromising
standards. I recall watching him play for
many years and always a fan favorite.
His hiring was a direct answer to the compete level issues that
plagued the team, with the expectation that he will instill

(39:30):
the rough and tumble style of hockey he was known for as a
player and foot promptly rebuilthis coaching staff, prioritizing
individuals who were good teachers, good communicators,
and good people. Let's take a look at some of
those now. Kevin Dean, the assistant coach,
defence and penalty kill. Recruited from the Chicago
Blackhawks, Dean is a defensive specialist tasked with shoring

(39:53):
up the team structure and penalty kill.
His track record of developing young defenseman was a key
factor in his hiring. Brent McLean, assistant coach of
forwards and power play. The former head coach of the HLS
Iowa Wild, McLean will be responsible for orchestrating
the power play. Foot specifically noted Mclean's

(40:14):
ability to connect with and get the most out of star players.
We can also take a look at ScottYoung, who is an assistant coach
promoted from his role as Director of Player Personnel.
Scott Young and will serve as a versatile glue guy for the
staff. His 17 years of NHL playing
experience will be leveraged in multiple areas, including

(40:35):
assisting with the power play and special projects.
Now this overhaul saw the departure of assistant coach
Yogi and I won't even bother with his last name as visitor.
Gonsky. I believe I got that just
butchered well enough. But he joined it talk it in
Philadelphia after talk. It's departure now.

(40:56):
Defensive development Roger Sergei Gonchar, who we all know
or at least most of us do have acertain era, and video coach
Dylan Crawford marking a clean state of for the new regime.
Now the roster reconstruction, of course, it's a transactional
deep dive. Here, the coaching change was
accompanied by a flurry of roster moves designed to align

(41:18):
the on ice personnel with Foot'svision management prioritize
stability for its core players while adding specific elements
of size and toughness, even at the cost of valuable depth
pieces and future assets. Let's take a look at that Now.
We've got Evander Kane as an arrival trade from Edmonton on a

(41:38):
one year contract and that is anAV of 5.125 million.
John Oliver Joseph, arrival freeagent, signed up one year at
$775,000. Brock Besser got his extension
resigned as an unrestricted freeagent for seven years at a 7.25

(42:02):
million AAV. Thatcher and goal of course fans
like myself very excited to see him back and have high hopes for
Thatcher def go this year to be back in All Star form.
He had his contract extended foranother three years at an
average annual at sorry 8.5 million.
Connor Garland of course got hiscontract extension for six years

(42:25):
and ABV of $6 million apiece. Suitor departed to as an
unrestricted free agent to SaintLouis, signed A2 year contract
with them for 4.125 million. Archer Silas a great goalie.
I hope that he has a stellar year in Pittsburgh, except of

(42:46):
course when we played them. But he has departed, as I said,
to Pittsburgh. He is exchange for Chase
Steelman and a 2027 fourth roundpick.
Dakota Joshua departed. He was in part of a trade to
Toronto for a 2028 fourth round pick.

(43:07):
Nor Youngson departed as well, unrestricted free agent to
Philadelphia, who signed a one year $900,000 contract with
Philadelphia. And finally, we've got Phil
Digiuseppe, who departed under aUFA to Winnipeg, signed there
for one year at $775,000. Now when we look at a securing

(43:29):
the core, the big three extensions that happened in
Vancouver and perhaps the most defining aspect of the offseason
was the organization's decision.Decision to commit long term to
key members of its core, providing a stable foundation
around which to build on. Excuse me, the Brock Besser
bombshell. Yes, in a stunning turn of

(43:50):
events, the Canucks resigned winger Brock Besser to A7 year
$50.75 million contract just as he was hitting the open market.
Gasser was widely expected to depart in search of a long term
deal elsewhere, but his return keeps a premier goal scorer and
long tenured fan favorite in Vancouver, providing a massive

(44:10):
boost to the top 6. And I should add there that
Brock Besser also made comments that he is thrilled to be back
in Vancouver comes the city and really did not wanna go
elsewhere. And if the rumor mill is
correct, he turned down a biggeroffer to stay in Vancouver.
And whether that is true or not,I don't know, but it sure sounds

(44:31):
nice locking down the crease. Yes, front of the front office
made goaltending a clear priority.
Signing starter Thatcher Demko to a three-year $25.5 million
extension and backup Kevin Lankinen to A5 year deal.
This represents a significant financial and strategic
commitment to what they believe can be one of the league's top

(44:52):
tandems. Critically, Tempco is reported
to be 100% healthy and ready andalready begun his offseason
skating program. A vital piece of news for the
teams outlook. We'll watch and see.
Let's hope that Thatcher Demko can return to star form and
avoid injury this season when itcomes to Connor Garland.

(45:14):
Of course this six year $36 million extension for Connor
Garland and secured A tenacious high energy winger who fits the
new identity management is trying to build again.
Exciting to see the return of these players as a lifelong
Canucks fan. Now.
These decisions to invest heavily in the core provided

(45:35):
much needed stability, but came at the direct expense of cap
flexibility. The substantial financial
commitments made it impossible to retain a key versatile player
like Pius Suter, who signed a very reasonable contract with
the Saint Louis Blues. Now, this cap crunch
subsequently forced management'shand, leading to the trades of

(45:55):
Dakota Joshua to clear his $3.25million salary and Calder Cup
MVP goaltender Archers Arthur Sea Lions.
And again, he was sent off for future draft picks rather than
in immediate roster help. This chain of events illustrates
a clear strategic choice. Secure the core at all costs,

(46:17):
even if it means sacrificing valuable cost.
Control The depth in the short term.
Now let's take a look at forgingthe future, the 2025 draft, and
the prospect pipeline. Now, while the front office made
aggressive moves to improve the NHL roster, they also sought to
restock the organizational depthchart through the 2025 NHL Entry

(46:40):
Draft. The strategy was clear and
consistent with the broader organizational shift targeting a
high motor, high character players with strong two way
games, particularly at the centre position.
Now the 2025 at draft class at bet on motor and two way play.
Yes, the Canucks selections reflected in desire to build a

(47:02):
pipeline of diligent, defensively responsible forwards
who can contribute in multiple facets of the game.
Who were they? Well, we've got Brandon Coots,
Lexie motived and I probably screwed that up.
Mod Vedad. Sorry, I apologize.
So Brayden could sorry came fromSeattle, the WHL and Alexi came

(47:25):
from London in the OHL. Then you have Kieran Durbin, a
centre coming from Kingston fromthe OHL.
We have Wilson Bjork, left wing centre coming from the where is
it, the INFJ 20 league I guess. And then we have Gabe Shariat,

(47:47):
right wing from Brampton in the NHL and Matthew Lansing, a
centre from Waterloo, Fargo and that is a part of the USA HL.
We do have these stats here on the screen as you can see.
If you want to pause the screen and take a look at the 202425
stats, by all means feel free now.

(48:09):
First round pick at Brighton Coots is the headliner of player
lauded for his relentless motor and 200 foot game, drawing
comparisons to a hybrid of Brendan Gallagher and Zach
Hyman. The selection of a calm and
methodical goaltender in Alexi Medved is the second round.
Excuse me, sorry, both frog in my throat in the second round

(48:33):
provides a high upside perspective for the future and
the subsequent picks up. Durbin, Bjork and Chariot as
well as Lansing all fit the moldof hard working burst out
forwards with strong defensive instincts.
So a lot of expectation coming out of the Canucks organization,
but also a lot of commitment to develop these players in the

(48:55):
long term. Now let's take a look at the
prospects on the cusp. Of course, beyond the new draft
class, several key prospects engineering NHL readiness and
will be crucial to the team success both this season and in
the future. Jonathan Lacker Mackie of
course, right wing After 24 gameNHL stint last season where he

(49:15):
showed flashes of his elite goalscoring ability with three goals
and three assists, Lacquer Mackie is on the verge of a full
time role. He possesses the best pure shot
in the Kinect system and has thepotential to be a top 6 weapon.
However, he has committed offseason to add to the physical
strength required to the rigors of an 82 game season. 3 signing

(49:39):
of Brock Besser crucially removes the immense pressure for
Lacquer Mackey to be an immediate offensive savior.
Then we have accurate centre again.
The departure of Pius Suter is hoping a significant opportunity
for Radi. Radi now waiver eligible, he is
guaranteed a spot on the NHL roster and is the leading

(49:59):
candidate to anchor the third line and play a key role in the
penalty kill. Rudy's development was a major
positive last season. He demonstrated remarkable
proficiency in the faceoff circle with a 57% win rate and
showed growing chemistry with his linemates.
He continued to emergence as a reliable to a centre and is

(50:19):
vital for the teen's death. And then we skip down to Tom
Willander. Yes, the defensive player while
they considered the closest to asure thing in the prospect pool
will an herb projects as a future top four shutdown
defenseman is smooth skating in modern mobile defensive game
makes him an ideal candidate to match up against top opposition

(50:42):
forwards. The primary question surrounding
Willander is as offensive cilium, whether he can develop
the puck moving skills necessaryto complement a top pairing.
Now let's take a look at a preview of positional breakdown
of the 202526 season. Yes, with the offseason thus
settled, the Connects 202526 roster has a distinctly new look

(51:07):
and feel. The team is built from the net,
out relying on league goaltending, a mobile defensive
corps, and of course a revamped forward group designed to be
tougher and more balanced. As we look, there are different
options and different positions and different lineups, but let's
take a look at what we think. Maybe the opening night lineup

(51:29):
so far. On the first line we would see
left wing Evander Kane, centre Elias Peterson, right wing Brock
Besser defence and Quinn Hughes and right defence flip Veronic
and of course Cooley being at Thatcher Demko back up and all
of these of course would be Kevin Lankinen and Gold.

(51:49):
So yeah, we don't need to do that for each of the lineups,
but let's go to the number two line and that would be left wing
Jake Debrusk, centre flip Chital, Connor Garland on the
right wing, while left defensiveplay by Marcus Patterson.
Right defensive player would be Tyler Myers.
It's going to the third line. Yes, Nils, Oglander, whole

(52:13):
Glander on the left wing in centre would be a Turati and
right wing Kiefer Sherwood. Well on left defensive play
would be a jerk forward and right defence would be Elias
Pettersson. That not the same as the first.
Yes, we're adding all of these Petersons to make it fun enough
for the announcers. Now on the on the fourth line,

(52:38):
of course True Connor, Teddy Blueger, Linus Karlsson and
Pierre Olivier Joseph and then of course sitting there as an
extra would be Max session. So that's our prediction for the
lineup projections, and that's based on an analysis from
various sources. Now, when it comes to the

(52:59):
goaltending foundation, of course, the tandem of Thatcher
Demko and Kevin Lankinen is the team's undisputed strength.
A healthy Demco is a perennial Vezina Trophy candidate, and his
performance is the single most critical factor for the team's
playoff aspirations. If we're going to make it that
far this year, yes, we are landing provided to be a

(53:20):
reliable backup last season, posting a .902 save percentage
behind this struggling team. Together they provide the
stability and high end talent, serious steel games and keep the
cracks competitive on a nightly basis.
Now with the upgrades and the changes going on from the
coaching staff and management right down to the defence, the

(53:42):
offence side, let's hope that the goalies can see their
numbers improve as well as they are going to hopefully have a
bit stronger play in front of the net.
Now In terms of the blue line led by their Norris Trophy
caliber captain Naquin Hughes, the defensive corps remains
largely intact from last season and the top pairing of Hughes

(54:02):
and Flip Tronic provides an elite combination of puck moving
ability and offensive dynamism. Now the supporting cast
featuring the steady Marcus Patterson and towering Tyler
Myers will be counted on to provide stable, consistent
minutes. The primary training camp battle
will be for the third pairing and 7th defenseman roles were

(54:23):
rookie Elias Pettersson. The defenseman will compete with
veteran additions like Derek Forbort and Pierre Olivier
Joseph, and they will battle forice time.
We'll see how that turns out. Hopefully they will all be in
the running. Now let's take a look at the
forward corps. Yes, and new identity.

(54:44):
The forward group is undergone the most significant
transformation. The additions of Evander Kane
and the emergence of Kiefer Sherwood, who set a new NHL
single season record with 462 hits last year.
Dramatically that alters the team's physical identity.
The top 6 features of potent makes some skill and sandpaper.

(55:05):
They projected top line of Kane Patterson and Besser has the
potential to be a dominant forceif Peterson returns to form,
which I personally have high hopes and high belief that he
will. The second line of Nebraska,
Cheadle and Garland offers a blend of goal scoring and
relentless energy, while the bottom 6 appears more structured

(55:27):
and defensively sound with Rattyand Teddy Blueger providing
stability down the middle flanked by energetic wingers
like Hall, Glander and Sherwood.Now the critical question and
key storylines for 20/25/2026. Of course, the upcoming season
is fraught with high stakes questions that will determine
the franchises trajectory. The answers to these questions

(55:50):
will define whether the offseason overhaul was a success
or a misguided gamble. Now of course, at the top of
that, Ken Elias Pettersson reclaim his elite form.
This is the paramount on ice question for the Connects.
After a statistically disappointing season, Patterson
centres the second or sorry, enters the second year of his

(56:11):
eighth year $92.8 million contract.
Yes, it's unbelievable to see these numbers in in contracts at
the Canucks level because I remember going back to well we
won't even go have both my age here.
But yes it definitely has come along way.
Now the teams entire offensive structure is built around them.

(56:33):
For the Connects to have any hope of playoff contention,
Peterson must rebound and reestablish himself as the
dominant 90 point plus player that he should be as a first
client centre. Now the flip Jill Gamble is the
new to see the answer. Management displaced a

(56:53):
significant bet on on Phillip tosolve their long standing second
line centre problem. While immensely skilled it too
as a history of injuries that makes him a high risk, high
reward proposition. His ability to stay healthy and
handle the demanding two-way responsibilities of the position
is the biggest unknown on the roster.

(57:14):
The front offices reported continued search for another
centre was just there hedging this bet.
Now when we look at the Evander Kane effect catalyst or
complication, yes, that is the question.
Acquired for a mid round draft pick, the Vancouver native
brings a package of size, toughness and gold scoring that

(57:36):
the team desperately lacked. Playing in his hometown and what
is essentially A1 year prove it deal before he fits hits the
free agency market. Kaine has every motivation to
perform well here. The central question is whether
his famously intense and physical style will provide the
galvanizing spark the core needsor become a distraction for the

(57:58):
entire team. His integration into the locker
room will also be a season long storyline.
Now let's take a look at Adam Footz mandate.
Can he forge a new culture or not?
Food was not hired to maintain the status quo, he was hired to
dismantle it and build a new culture founded on
accountability and relentless effort.

(58:20):
His success will be measured notjust in wins, but whether he can
get consistent high level buy infrom a core group that was
openly criticized for its lack of compete last year.
The dynamic between the demanding the coach and the
established leader of Hughes. Leadership of Hughes and
Peterson will be under intense scrutiny now as we look at

(58:41):
navigating the Pacific Division arms race.
Yes, the Canucks do not operate in a vacuum.
While they retooled, their divisional rivals made
blockbuster moves, the Vegas Golden Knights added superstar
Mitch Warner, the Anaheim Ducks accelerated their rebuild with
major trades, and of course, theEdmonton Oilers shed salary to
keep their championship window open.

(59:03):
Vancouver's ability to keep pacein a fiercely competitive
division that will be a constantchallenge.
Ultimately, the 20252026 season has become a referendum on the
leadership of the Connects core player group.
Management has addressed nearly every external factor.
They change the coach, they brought in a new veteran voice,

(59:23):
they solidified the goaltending and they tried to fix the centre
depth. They have committed hundreds of
millions of dollars in long termcontracts to Peterson, Hughes,
Besser and Demco. The narrative of a crisis to
compete from the 2024, 2025 season can no longer be
deflected. The responsibility now falls
squarely on the shoulders of these players.

(59:44):
If the team falters again, it will be a definitive statement
that this core as constructed isincapable of leading a franchise
to meaningful success. Now what that means when that
goes off is that I'm not runningout of time, ladies and
gentlemen. So let's take a look at the

(01:00:05):
final verdict and projecting thepath ahead.
The Vancouver Canucks enter thisseason as one of the NHL's most
fascinating and high variance teams.
They aggressive offseason overhaul has intuitively raised
the team's floor, but its ultimate ceiling remains capped
by several significant question marks.
The best case scenario where healthy thought your Demco

(01:00:25):
performs at Vezina caliber level, providing elite
goaltending that covers for any defensive lapses.
Elias Pettersson, motivated by his new contract and a new
coach, returns to his 90 plus player form or sorry point form
driving up potential front potent frontline.
And then you've got flip. Jill stays healthy for 70 plus

(01:00:47):
games providing the stable, productive second line centre
and he plays with the team that they have lacked for years in
that centre position now. Evander Kane's grit and goal
scoring hopefully will prove to be the perfect catalyst
energizing the lineup without creating off ice distractions.
Under Atom Foot, the team forgesa new identity and a

(01:01:10):
disciplined, hard working and physically imposing opponent to
everyone else. Now in this scenario that
connects are not just playoff team, they are legitimate
contender for a top three spot in the Pacific Division.
Now let's take a look at the worst case scenario if
Peterson's offensive struggles from last season persist,
creating a massive hole at the top of the lineup and questions

(01:01:31):
about his contract now channels injury issues.
If they resurface, that'll forcethe team to once again scramble
for centre depth and exposing a critical weakness, the secondary
scoring. If that dries up, then the team
becomes overly reliant on its goal tending the court, group
chiefs under foots demanding style, leading to friction in

(01:01:52):
the locker room. If this is the outcome, they
cannot miss the playoffs again, forcing the front office to
confront the failure of its retool and begin a far more
painful long term rebuild. In terms of the final
projection, that connects have improved enough to avoid another
complete collapse. Their goaltending tandem is too
strong and the roster possesses too much individual talent to

(01:02:14):
finish in the league basement. However, they are a team
teetering on the edge. Their success is precariously
balanced on the health of top key players such as Demco and
Jill. Now the performance we also need
to look at but one superstar, Elias Pettersson.
They will be a tougher, more physical team to play against,

(01:02:36):
but their lack of proven high-end tapped down the mail
remains a significant concern ina powerful Western Conference.
The most likely outcome in a season long paddle on the
playoff bubble where they find themselves fighting for the wild
card spot. They're no longer a lottery
team, but they are not a lock for the postseason.

(01:02:57):
The season will be a true test of their new identity and
resolve of the core. So let's see, let's hope, let's
keep our fingers crossed becausehey, the Connects are my team.
They have been since I was a kid.
So again, I'm all in on the Canucks and I hope that everyone
else is as well. Let's support the team and let's
cheer them on as starting on opening day and even the

(01:03:20):
preseason to make sure that theystep in the right direction and
know the fans still love me. Now that is all that we have
time for in tonight's prime timeor sorry, live chat with James.
That's the other show I host on a different channel.
But in any event, thank you for tuning in once again to live
chat with James here at Propex TV in Vancouver, BC Don't forget

(01:03:43):
that if you have story ideas or if you have something that you
would like us to do the researchand a deep dive into, by all
means, reach out and let us know.
Also, feel free to leave your comments about today's episode,
any of those stories that we touched on, and again, just
leave your thoughts. Also, we love to know where
you're watching from. So regardless as to whether

(01:04:05):
you're watching from down the road here in South Surrey, BC
and White Rock or if you are in the middle of the Sahara, by all
means, let us know. We'd love to know where the
viewers are watching from. Once again, I'm James Kusno,
Appropriate TV in Vancouver, BC Take care everyone, stay safe.