Welcome to Episode 147 of the Hughes Sports Podcast (HSP)! Join Jake Hughes and “the old man” as they deliver their unfiltered, “irrational fan talk” on the biggest stories in Canadian sports.
In this episode, we dive deep into the Vancouver Canucks crisis. With the team struggling, we debate the “scorched earth” rebuild: Is Elias Pettersson (EP40) the right piece to build around, or is it time to move on?. We also take a hard look at the Canucks’ ownership and management, questioning when there will finally be accountability for years of perceived mismanagement.
Over in the CFL, the offseason is heating up. We break down the Trey Ford signing in Hamilton, AJ Oullette’s decision to stay in Saskatchewan, and the surprising release of veteran kicker Brett Lawler. Plus, we look ahead to the BC Lions’ season and why the hosts are predicting a 15-3 record.
Finally, we vent our frustrations over the Olympic hockey schedule. Why is Team Canada playing at 8:40 AM?. We also discuss reports of unfinished arenas in Italy and wrap up with a look at Connor McDavid’s emotional “Dear Canada” letter, which reveals a side of the superstar we’ve never seen before.
Timestamps:
• 0:00 – Intro: Vacation Plans & Technical Difficulties
• 3:45 – CFL Report: Trey Ford to Hamilton & Bo Levi Mitchell as Mentor
• 12:15 – AJ Oullette Re-signs in Saskatchewan: Why he didn’t hit Free Agency
• 16:30 – The Release of Brett Lauther & The Kicker Market
• 24:45 – BC Lions Outlook: Can they go 15-3?
• 30:15 – CFL Drafts, Global Drafts, and TSN Coverage Rant
• 40:30 – Canucks in Crisis: The “Scorched Earth” Rebuild Debate
• 54:15 – Accountability: Blaming Canucks Ownership (The Aquilinis)
• 62:10 – The Seattle Seahawks Sale & Its Impact on NHL Team Values
• 65:45 – Olympic Outrage: Unfinished Rinks and Terrible Game Times
• 78:20 – Connor McDavid’s “Dear Canada” Letter: The Irrational Fan of Winning
• 83:30 – Wrapping Up Episode 147
