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Don Taylor talks Rogers cuts, Canucks, Shane Wright, and more

Jul 16, 2026, 13:00 EDTUpdated: Jul 16, 2026, 12:54 EDT

On Wednesday’s episode of Canucks Conversation, David Quadrelli and Harman Dayal were joined by Don Taylor to discuss Rogers shutting down Sportsnet 650 before sharing his thoughts on the recent Shane Wright-to-Vancouver speculation.

Taylor said the news of 650’s closure left him with a range of emotions, while also questioning how the situation was handled.

“Disappointed, angry, frustrated, puzzled; you name the negative reaction and that’s how I felt,” Taylor said. “I understand the business is different now and things have changed and will continue to change, but it’s the way they do things that’s so wrong and makes them look so bad in my opinion.

“Back in 2021 when we lost 1040, they just locked the control board on us. That’s how we found out. We had no idea, all of a sudden things just didn’t work and some music started playing with some canned messages about what was ahead, which wasn’t much. The situation with 650, I don’t think anybody really saw it coming. It was the home of the Canucks without competition, and from what I understand it was handled very poorly.

“Two things bother me about this. Number one; nothing ever happens to Toronto and their stations. I understand it’s a larger market but it’s interesting that nothing ever happens there. But more so than that, the way these people back East handle the situation is like, what was their plan? 2017 was when 650 started, not that long ago, and it led to the demise of 1040.

“They also bought all sorts of stations, small or otherwise, across Western Canada fairly recently, so what was their plan? What were they thinking? Digital media was around then, but the great minds back East didn’t see anything coming to the point where they’re letting people go, destroying the industry, not even asking if people would maybe take a pay cut. I just don’t understand what the thought process was when they bought these stations.”

Despite the closure, Taylor doesn’t believe the appetite for Canucks coverage has disappeared.

“Even when the team has been losing a lot, yes you get the odd blip of success like 2020 and a couple years back, but people still want to talk about it,” Taylor said. “They want to complain, they want to boast when they can; people are still passionate about it.

“The criticism the team gets, some people in the organization get upset but the people care and they’re angry. Once they’re indifferent and don’t care, that’s when you can start to worry. I’m not so sure I buy this ‘they’ve been losing which led to the demise of 650.’ I’m not sure about that. I felt a lot of passion out there.

“It’s out there and somebody with money might want to jump on board with a radio station. If you approach it a bit different, I think it would work.”

Later in the conversation, Taylor weighed in on rumours linking Shane Wright to the Canucks, saying he’d only have interest if the acquisition cost was minimal.

“I’m always wary of players who were highly touted prospects who haven’t worked out, and things haven’t worked out the way he’d want to in Seattle,” Taylor said. “If the price is right, it might be worth a shot, but I’ve heard names like Lekkerimäki, Buium… no chance.

“If the price is extremely low, sure, but the Kraken are also not going to give him away to a division rival. I don’t think it’s a fit right now and given the price tag that’s being thrown around, I’d say no.

“I’m going to age myself a bit here but I remember the Canucks picking up a former first overall draft choice back in the day in Doug Wickenheiser, and it didn’t work out here.”

While Taylor is frustrated by the loss of Sportsnet 650, he believes the passion surrounding the Canucks hasn’t gone anywhere. As for Wright, he’d be willing to take a chance – but only if the price reflects the uncertainty surrounding the former fourth-overall pick.

You can watch the full segment below!

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