r/canucks • u/Artemchubarov Official Thomas Drance • Sep 10 '19

ASK ME ANYTHING I'm Thomas Drance from The Athletic Vancouver: Imitator of obscure Russian-born ex-Canucks grinders on Twitter, one-time CanucksArmy overlord, author and former NHL PR guy - AMA

Hey /r/Canucks! Thanks for hosting me over your lunch hour.

Happy to be here with all of you and I'm looking forward to talking some hockey and excited to answer any questions you can dream up. Shoot your shot!

And if you want to use my discount code to subscribe to The Athletic and support what we're getting up to this upcoming season, you can do so here: http://www.theathletic.com/welcomethomas

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u/ryeguy22 Sep 10 '19

Hey Thomas! Excited your back in Vancouver and I’ve so far enjoyed your contributions to The Athletic and look forward to more as this season of Canucks hockey is starting to get underway!

We often see good players make some of those around them better, or at least look good. Tavares did it with the Islanders and maybe Marner even helped Tavares reach the heights he did last year. I know Pettersson has only played one year but do you see him being someone who could propel some of our new additions (Ferland, Miller) and maybe even have career years?

Thanks for doing this!

p.s

When starting a new gig, we see more often than not people don’t want to step on any toes as to build a good relationship. I hope you will be someone who will ask the tough questions the fans are most interested to have answered where as most media shy away from it seems.

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u/Artemchubarov Official Thomas Drance Sep 10 '19

I definitely plan to be tough but fair in my coverage ryeguy, and thanks for your question!

I do think Pettersson, particularly with the unselfish way he plans the game and his commitment over 200 feet, can be the kind of pivot who improves his linemates. I wouldn't be remotely shocked if his wingers take off this season. In fact, his inability to really capitalize on 350 5on5 minutes playing with Pettey, is one of the reasons I'm the rare analytics skeptic of Goldobin's ability to take that next step.