I'm not all that interested in the physical results of the NHL draft combine. Sure, kids that age are going to grow a little bit between the end of their seasons and June 5th, but not THAT much. It's fun to compare, and maybe catch a name you aren't already familiar with, but otherwise? There might be the occasional story ("Sam Bennett couldn't do a single pull-up!"), but there's rarely any actual news.

I'm a little annoyed that Oscar Hemming has rocketed up the draft rankings when I was hoping the Canucks could grab him in the second round. I'm a little more annoyed that my favourite at three, Keaton Verhoff, is getting disrespected lately on those same lists. But again, I don't put a lot of stock in the NHL combine. Though did you hear that Vancouver was the only team Gavin McKenna had a dinner date with...? And Alexander Command is looking pretty great, huh? It would be so cool if they could land Mathis Preston!

Anyway.

It was interesting reading Thomas Drance's report, though. He talked to the potential picks who interviewed with the Canucks to see how they felt it went. I hadn't considered Jaxon Cover's history, but it is intriguing. Shades of Ed Jovanovski, joining organized hockey very late but being something of a prodigy. If he's good enough to be a potential first-round pick after just five years of league hockey, how good will he be with a few more under his belt?

More than that, though, was the universal description of the interview process. Not everyone they talked to has a chance of being anywhere the team will be picking - dreaming of Ryan Lin at 24, here - but there's always the chance of movement. I don't think they should bundle picks to move up, but there are other ways to change the order. They might drop down, or move veterans to build their prospect arsenal. In the teens is generally where you find teams wanting to improve sooner rather than later, so maybe an opportunity is there.

It's probably a better idea to see if they can bulk up their 2027 draft selections, if they manage to get another first-rounder. By all reports, it's going to be a very good year, but also not having all the best options being the exact same age wouldn't hurt. Players that reach the NHL can stay there a while; where they need room is breaking in. The fans have indicated they'll give the team time, no need to rush anyone.

But back to the interesting bit about the Canucks at the combine. Of the nine players Drance highlighted, all of them had some variant on the theme of chill. They were calm, easygoing interviews. You'll hear the players and teams give generic "Yeah, it was great" answers, so that isn't a surprise. The addition of "calm" or "relaxed" or "fun" to the descriptors was good to see.

It looks like AGMs Cammi Granato and Émilie Castonguay took the lead when GM Ryan Johnson flew back to Vancouver for the Manny Malhotra presser. By the sounds of it, and by the general feel around the week, the pressure is way down. They aren't asking these players if they think they can make the team this season. That's good. The fewer illusions management is carrying around with them, the better.

Picture getting interviewed by the manager of Forever 21, and they're talking about the company's bright future. That probably wouldn't impress you much, would it? We expect players to be head down and working hard at improving their game, but they're going to know what last year's standings were. Vancouver's lousy results might get them a few free agent signings, implying there is plenty of spots open. But no one wants to work for the delusional.

Speaking of which:

Allow me to add a personal note that AI continues to suck. How the hell does this thing pronounce "eyes"? Or "nicks" for that matter? Yeesh.

(It's NYZE. Lunatic frikkin' machine.)