First things first, thanks to everyone who understood the assignment this week.
It’s the middle of summer. There will be plenty of time in the months ahead for hardcore hockey questions. But we wanted to have some fun with the mailbag, so we asked you for off-the-wall and outside-the-box Vancouver Canucks questions. And you delivered. So much so that we will tackle a handful of your queries this week and dive right back in again next week.
So if you still have a question or your question did not get answered this week, fear not. We’ll double back and answer more from this batch again next Monday. Let’s jump right in:
The first thing you must understand about the Amazing Race – and reality television in general – is that while there is certainly a competitive aspect to it, it is, first and foremost, a television show designed to entertain. And as such, big personalities are almost always part of the casting decisions. That’s why I’d go with Jake DeBrusk and Conor Garland. I see DeBrusk offering up constant commentary while I imagine Garland being a crafty navigator. I could also see those two scheming to form alliances to get further in the game. I think Tyler Myers would also be a great candidate, but much of the Amazing Race requires commercial flights, and I’m not sure how much Myers and those long legs would enjoy life in economy. 
First things first, it’s Tarnasky – Nick Tarnasky – who once played 10 games for the Vancouver Giants many years ago. Although, whether intended or not, I kind of like Tarnasty. It certainly fits after watching the beatdown he laid on the now viral video. As for which Canuck would best fill that role, I guess I’d have to go with Evander Kane based solely on the abrasive style he plays on the ice. But I have no evidence to suggest that is how Kane would conduct himself on the golf course. Kiefer Sherwood would also be a candidate, although after watching him last season, I’m more inclined to believe Sherwood would have just bodychecked the guy into oblivion. 
Absolutely, I do. I kind of miss the old days when the team and the players took us inside their home lives and gave us a glimpse of their personalities away from the rink. As for which current player would have the best kitchen skills, I’m always inclined to believe that Quinn Hughes is the best at just about anything or everything, on the ice or off of it. I could certainly see him spinning away from the forecheck, weaving through the neutral zone, then making a mad dash to put some sort of spectacular casserole on the dinner table. 
Quebec City has to be at the top of the list. I’m willing to believe a second team in Toronto would be successful. The question is open enough that I suppose I could look at European options, but I just don’t think we’ll ever see expansion across the Atlantic. It certainly sounds like the NHL is prepared to go back to Atlanta for a third time. Third time’s the charm, right? And while Austin, Texas, has surfaced as a possible expansion city, I always thought Houston would be the next place in the Lone Star State to get a team. Selfishly, I’d like to see another West Coast entry in Portland or San Diego. So let’s go with Quebec City, Atlanta, Houston and Portland. As for a city that shouldn’t have a team, clearly it has to be Edmonton. Just take the Oilers roster and somehow make it so the Canucks get both Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in the dispersal draft. 
Cody coming with two questions this week. First, on Canuck honourees. It certainly has felt in recent years like there has been a thaw in the once frosty relationship between Ryan Kesler and the Canucks. Is that paving the way for a spot in the Ring of Honour? I guess I thought Alex Edler would be a Ring of Honour guy, and I suppose he still could be, although the team hosted his retirement night early last season, which didn’t include him getting his deserved spot on high. I still hold out hope that Tony Tanti is recognized by the hockey club in some fashion. He sits sixth in goals and eighth in all-time franchise scoring, and yet his contributions are somehow overlooked. Give Tony Tanti his due.
As for how the PWHL Vancouver team will carve out its place in the sporting landscape, I expect it to forge its own path. The Canucks are fairly protective of the brand they’ve built over more than half a century. I look forward to seeing how PWHL Vancouver launches with a team name and colour scheme, and I have to think we’ll get some answers on both fronts relatively soon. I’d imagine they dig into the West Coast/Pacific Ocean theme in some form for both the name and colours, but expect they’ll stay away from playing off Canuck history in any way. 
I will finish this week the way I started. I have to think Jake DeBrusk is the most likely candidate to have a career in media. His father has already blazed a trail, and I think Jake could more than hold his own on the microphone. Marcus Pettersson strikes me as the kind of guy who could easily transition into coaching when his playing days are done. He’s vocal, he’s a natural leader, and he seems like a details guy. And I suppose Elias Pettersson, the original, strikes me as someone who will likely pursue interests away from the game when his career is over. I could easily see EP40 branch off in a number of different directions when his playing days are done.

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