On today’s episode of Canucks Conversation, David Quadrelli and Harman Dayal welcomed analyst Jeff Marek to discuss the Canucks’ trade strategies, Quinn Hughes’ performance, and the team’s overall outlook 14 games into the season.
Marek began by discussing expectations for the Vancouver Canucks this season, acknowledging that while they have strong pieces, there are challenges ahead.
“I don’t know that anyone is saying ‘Stanley Cup’ about the Canucks,” Marek noted. “People look at this team and see a really good group—one that needs help along the blueline, Thatcher Demko to perform, and a lot of things to go their way if they’re going to make noise in the postseason. The Canucks are in that category where, if they’re healthy and get some breaks along the way, they could have a deep playoff run.”
He highlighted that the Canucks have impact players at every position, which sets them apart.
“It’s great to see Elias Pettersson starting to shake off his slump. If that continues and J.T. Miller can get past whatever he’s going through and play like we know he can, and if Boeser returns sooner or later, they have players who could be contenders for major trophies. It’s tough- having everything clicking at once throughout a season is rare. I don’t think we place enough emphasis on what it means to win the President’s Trophy — finishing on top after 82 games is a real accomplishment.”
When discussing the Canucks’ trade philosophy, Marek believes that Jim Rutherford and Patrik Allvin will likely take an aggressive approach well in advance of the trade deadline.
“Jim Rutherford was one of the first GMs to make moves early, and it paid off. He’s always followed that model,” Marek explained. “I don’t see any reason for that to change now. Rutherford believes that when you know the price for the player you want, you make the deal as soon as possible. It’s a model that’s worked for him and brought him multiple Stanley Cup championships.”
Marek also commented on how the role of the general manager has evolved in today’s NHL, especially under the salary cap.
“In the past, the GM had full autonomy — everything rested on their desk. But today, the role is different. You often hear that GMs need to manage ‘upwards.’ It’s a critical skill now, to work closely with both the team president and the owner.”
The conversation shifted to Quinn Hughes’ performance this season, with Marek praising his drive to improve.
“He’s awesome, and like any great player, he focuses on what he needs to work on and gets better at it,” Marek said. “Suddenly, he’s a shooting threat. You look at all the things that make Quinn Hughes an elite defenceman — his vision, game sense, skating, edgework, positioning, creativity. If he stayed exactly as he was, he’d still probably win a few Norris trophies. But now he’s added a shot to his game, which takes him to the next level. He’s not satisfied with just being the best or winning a Norris; he’s still working on getting even better.”
You can watch the full Jeff Marek segment here:
Sponsored by bet365!
