December 29 2023 - Jeff Paterson

Matt and Blake discuss a desultory 4-1 loss to Philly, Casey DeSmith getting the start instead of Thatcher Demko, Nikita Zadorov's stinker, and the lack of a top-6 winger to play with Elias Pettersson. They debate whether a top-4 right-handed defenceman is a bigger need than that winger, the club's record in December and a looming 7-game road trip in January. They also talk about the Broncos cutting bait with Russell Wilson, the rise of Joe Flacco in Cleveland and the NFL playoff picture. As well as a Welcome Matt on the Winter Classic, and how it should have included the Canucks.

Jeff Paterson stops by with his impressions of the game. Jeff tackles DeSmith getting the start, the power-play struggles, Pettersson's season split in 18-game halves, Vancouver's form against defensive-minded teams, Quinn Hughes' frustration, the imminent return of Carson Soucy, early-January wheeling/dealing, the schedule ahead.