32 Thoughts: Canucks able to reshape their future

• Will Tuesday’s loss to Dallas drive Edmonton into the goalie market?
• Nashville at important level in franchise historical past
• Scott Wedgewood turning into a late consideration for Team Canada

When Vancouver notified groups of its need to debate “veterans” — and the word stated veterans, not UFAs — the message was unmistakable: we need to know what you concentrate on our gamers. 

Without particular names hooked up, the Canucks, by design, left issues to everybody else’s imaginations. No limitations, discuss to us, we’ll determine what we’re keen/capable of do. We know Quinn Hughes shouldn’t be obtainable, for now (we’ll get to him in a minute). Even if Filip Hronek didn’t have a no-move clause, I don’t suppose there’s any need to maneuver him. We know the UFAs positively are on the market, and we all know that the Canucks will hear on these with time period, though a number of management their futures. And, as talked about the opposite day, when Jim Rutherford alerts he’s prepared, you’d higher be prepared, too. 

This shouldn’t be a complete teardown. The Canucks desire younger gamers within the NHL (or prepared for it) over draft picks and/or greener prospects, however we’ve acquired to be ready for every thing.

The speedy watch is Kiefer Sherwood. Excellent begin, absolute heater (28.6 taking pictures share), competes laborious, playoff-style skillset, wage everybody can deal with. Ultimately, the Canucks will determine how briskly they transfer, but when anybody may go rapidly, it’s the feisty winger.

Other than that, we’ll see. I’ve at all times favored Tyler Myers in the proper state of affairs. Long, imply right-shot defenders with cheap cap hits are coveted, however I’m not satisfied he’d waive through the season — safety negotiated in good religion. 

There’s been some dialogue about Conor Garland, however I’ve heard the desire is to maintain him. Another extremely aggressive man who works. It comes right down to somebody making a suggestion they’ll’t say no to.

Hughes? We can guess the place that is going, though a number of sources pushed again laborious — very laborious — on the concept he’s already decided. Rutherford’s ready Canuck Nation for the chance he’d depart. It’s stable technique that he and GM Patrik Allvin attempt to be proactive, make the franchise cornerstone imagine sooner or later. But Hughes has seemed sad, though I believe there was a dialog addressing that. Your captain should mission correctly. Eventually, there will likely be a dialogue about his future, I believed Olympic break, may be sooner. Obviously, he’ll have an enormous say over the method. But elite engines aren’t obtainable typically, and events gained’t screw round when/if the day comes.

Eighteen months in the past, Vancouver misplaced a 3-2 Game 7 to Edmonton — a fierce, thrilling sequence pushing the Oilers to the precipice earlier than they turned two-time Western Conference champions. The core of that workforce was Garland, Hronek, Hughes, JT Miller and Elias Pettersson. Injured Brock Boeser and Thatcher Demko didn’t play. Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov have been robust assist items. The future appeared so vivid.

But it imploded, as a lot due to personalities as the rest. There’s a six-part podcast to be achieved, someday. 

I didn’t suppose we’d go from that to this. But right here we’re. The Canucks are able to reshape their future.

1. One factor that makes me loopy is how organizations journey over themselves avoiding the phrase ‘rebuild’. On some stage, I get it as a result of the phrase could be as radioactive as gold kryptonite to Superman. But you’ll be able to stroll your self into bother utilizing a thesaurus, and my primary rule is, “Don’t pour gasoline on your own fire.” I’m nonetheless 1.5 credit shy of my English diploma, however I’ve discovered an answer. Say both “we’re starting over,” or, “we’re making changes but we’re not tearing it all down.” Simple.

For the remainder of us, together with myself, ignore the noise and watch what’s taking place. If you actually take a look at Calgary and Nashville, they’ve begun the method of change. The Flames are assembling a robust prospect group, and it doesn’t matter what anybody says, gained’t make short-term strikes to save lots of this season. If it’s a excessive decide, they’ll take it. They additionally imagine that Dustin Wolf is just too good to allow them to persistently hit all-time low, and his start-of-season struggles have been extra of a blip than something. (And shoutout to the NHL’s Friedrich Nietzsche, Devin Cooley, who nearly misplaced his job however has performed very properly.) 

2. I’d be stunned if Calgary GM Craig Conroy, within the closing 12 months of his contract, shouldn’t be re-signed. For one factor, I don’t imagine head coach Ryan Huska is the one individual within the group to obtain a current extension, so the Flames are caring for enterprise. An govt from one other workforce advised me it’s not exceptional for conversations to decelerate or halt when issues are tough. Doesn’t imply it modifications your long-term plans, however there’s an allergy to reward when on-ice outcomes go sideways. I don’t suppose Don Maloney ought to be fired for final week’s feedback. You simply must know the proper time. A GM wants somebody to handle up.

3. I don’t prefer to overreact to 1 recreation. For Edmonton, that is a couple of recreation. After Tuesday’s 8-3 Dallas destruction, the Oilers haven’t any selection however to ask themselves if it’s time to commerce Stuart Skinner — for his or her profit and his. Everyone. I understood their philosophy: don’t waste sources on a lateral transfer, as a result of, with the restricted chips you’ve got, you would possibly solely get one shot at being proper. Like my grandmother at all times stated, “You plan, God laughs.”

It’s 100 per cent true the Oilers are sieve-like defensively: at even-strength, they’re twenty fifth in pictures in opposition to from the slot on the cycle, twenty ninth from the slot general and thirtieth from the slot in opposition to the push (Sportlogiq). You want prime Dominik Hasek in opposition to these numbers, and captain Connor McDavid did the proper factor by saying how dangerous they have been in entrance of Skinner.

Calvin Pickard mainly saved his job with a robust efficiency in a 2-1 loss in Tampa Bay on a tricky back-to-back. His teammates, who love Pickard, rallied round him in that one. Then, the Oilers gained an emotional recreation in Florida. To go dwelling and carry out like that in opposition to the Mikko Rantanen-less Stars was ugggggggggggly.

One of the explanations the Oilers needed it to work so badly is Skinner’s budget-friendly $2.6M AAV in a good cap scenario. They felt very strongly that they needed to know they have been getting a assured improve to surrender on that. Now, you must ask your self: are you shedding by not attempting to return out even? Is there a scenario the place you’re feeling somebody will likely be rejuvenated in Edmonton, like Skinner may be elsewhere? The different query you must ask: will a change carry our workforce? Is this weighing on them, too?

4. Nick Kypreos stirred up a hornet’s nest in his commerce board by suggesting Jordan Binnington may find yourself with the Oilers. I strongly suspect Edmonton can’t commerce for Binnington with out his permission, even when St. Louis needed to do it. 

5. Goalie workforce to look at: Pittsburgh. Four guys able to play between the NHL and AHL. 

6. Someone else to keep watch over: Laurent Brossoit. Long highway again for Brossoit, who final performed a recreation on April 28, 2024. But he’s practising and headed for a conditioning stint within the close to future. There’s no room for him in Chicago, so when he does costume within the AHL, goalie-needy groups will likely be watching. Good luck to him, would have been simple to surrender. 

7. I do suppose Peter DeBoer will likely be again within the NHL, however could be surprised if it was in Edmonton.

8. Scott Oake to Jim Nill on After Hours: Can the Stars afford each Rantanen and Jason Robertson? “We’ll find a way to do it,” the GM answered. “We’ve always found ways. These are great players. It’s hard to find goal scorers. When I talked to Jason over the summer — he had a tough year the year before, he missed all of training camp, got off to a slow start — that’s what we discussed. Come in, I want you to have a good year, it’s an Olympic year, lot of things going on. He’s performing for us and it’s great to see.”

Robertson stated a wholesome summer season made a giant distinction for him and the proof is correct in entrance of your eyes.

9. Last weblog, I listed a bunch of groups circling across the commerce market and what they’re taking a look at. A number of folks I texted overlooked Utah. The Mammoth stabilized themselves after a tough stretch. Definitely need to add, and a quiver stuffed with picks/prospects. 

10. Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies return Wednesday evening for Toronto, and never a second too quickly for the Maple Leafs. The timelines have been irritating each internally (you possibly can see it on Crag Berube’s face) and externally. Once once more, there was debate about harm readability and I used to be requested about it on a few my common interview spots. It’s one thing I’ve been eager about, particularly with the variety of playing scandals in several sports activities.

First, let me simply say I’m sympathetic to accidents getting focused — particularly within the playoffs. It 100 per cent occurs, and anybody denying that’s certifiably insane. Players are fiercely protecting of harm info primarily due to that, and in addition, as many have stated, “It’s none of your business.” (That’s a unique debate, which we are going to get to.)

11. When I’ve requested Commissioner Gary Bettman about playing issues, whether or not harm or prop-bet associated, he makes some extent of claiming he believes NHLers wouldn’t do it. It’s good to assist your gamers — scores factors — however I bear in mind being blown away years in the past by a Diana Swain report on match-fixing in a low-level Canadian soccer league. Where cash could be made, vigilance issues.

When it involves prop bets, Bettman believes hockey’s randomness and pace make it a lot tougher to control than different sports activities. That mind-boggling Emmanuel Clase first-pitch accusation? Much tougher to drag off in hockey. The NHL’s Chief Security Officer, Jared Maples, spoke with the managers on the current GM conferences. A number of individuals who have been there stated it was a captivating presentation. He reminded that betting on hockey or playing illegally will likely be met with extreme punishment.

But the factor that basically stood out was that anybody complicit in these scandals doesn’t appear to know it’s the betting corporations themselves noticing aberrations or weirdness, informing the leagues and regulation enforcement when one thing’s awry. “You really have to be dumb to not see who is policing this,” one stated.

Therefore, the league feels as sure as it could actually that if one thing occurs, they’re going to be advised about it. (In the aftermath of the Clase case, Major League Baseball introduced a $200 restrict on particular person pitch wagering, with these particular bets faraway from parlays. At this time, the NHL shouldn’t be pursuing something related.) 

12. Now, let’s return to harm info. This is the place I see the weak spot. Maples careworn that managers be extraordinarily discreet with it, and relay that message to their gamers. (Not a tough promote, lol.) One of the folks charged within the current NBA sweep was an assistant coach, Damon Jones, accused of offering secret LeBron James intel to bettors. This is the place I’d be most involved if I have been the NHL.

Again, the gamers are adamant this not be shared. Even if I argue that Matthews — being an important participant on the NHL’s most newsmaking workforce — and the Maple Leafs should anticipate the best scrutiny, they don’t need to hear it, saying it’s their enterprise. But if it ever results in scandal…

I by no means thought authorized betting would result in better readability on hockey accidents, however that is the place we’re within the 12 months 2025.  

13. All of the accidents stink, however shoutout to Tampa Bay — which has moved from final to first within the Atlantic — regardless of being crushed by them. Also, New Jersey and Carolina, atop the Metropolitan regardless of having the ability to put collectively a good roster with the gamers who haven’t been of their lineups. And anybody else I didn’t credit score. You should discover a means.

14. Not stunned Juuso Parssinen cleared waivers. But I believe there’s curiosity, relying on what the Rangers are keen to do. Next season at $1.25M is the problem. 

15. In Nashville, GM Barry Trotz stated this week on his common 102.5 radio look there will likely be extra alternative for the Joakim Kemell-type prospects on the NHL stage. I keep on with what I stated final week, that the Predators are nonetheless feeling their means via issues, from possession on down. This is a important time in franchise historical past, they usually need to get it proper. Like Vancouver, Nashville is exploring the market, well-aware there are groups lusting after Ryan O’Reilly. Remember: he’s acquired massive say in any transfer. I don’t purchase Filip Forsberg commerce theories at the moment, and am not satisfied they need to retain cash. 

16. Some well-meaning Jets followers questioned if native boy Chris Driedger’s KHL contract termination was tied to Connor Hellebuyck’s harm, that he was returning to fill the hole. It’s unrelated, no less than proper now. For one factor, assuming no surprises, Hellebuyck might be again on the ice within the not-too-distant future. Winnipeg desires to see Thomas Milic, wanting like he’ll make his NHL debut Saturday in Nashville. It’s at all times higher to unravel your downside internally, in case you can. Things can at all times change, however the timing is a coincidence.

17. Colorado’s Scott Wedgewood joins Matthew Schaefer as late additions to Team Canada’s Olympic participant pool. If you’re added now, you aren’t considered one of 90 — the unique record. You’re considered one of 35, and a critical candidate. Are Canada’s goalies right down to some mixture of Jordan Binnington, Darcy Kuemper, Logan Thompson and Wedgewood? Even with Binnington’s struggles, what he did final February makes him really feel like a lock. 

18. A scouting report on 16-1-5 Colorado: “Much better defensively earlier in-season than in years past.”

19. Heard this week there’s going to be a touchdown spot for Robby Fabbri. One of the rumoured groups was Ottawa, nevertheless it gained’t be them. 

20. The Athletic’s Josh Yohe reported Tuesday that the Penguins’ sale to the Hoffmann household has “halted,” and that nothing “appears to be the least bit imminent.” What I can affirm is that this course of has taken longer than anticipated and is harder than present house owners Fenway Sports Group hoped. The Hoffmans do stay of their unique negotiating window and are transferring ahead to shut. We will see.  

21. The NHL and NHLPA, though irritated on the general scenario, are biting their tongues in regards to the Milan rink delay till round Christmas. The IOC is saying all the proper issues about every thing being prepared when it actually issues, however that is waaaaaaaay too shut for anybody’s consolation. There positively will likely be issues about ice high quality. Wildest hearsay: the roof was too low and needed to be raised. Still can’t wait to get there. 

22. Joseph Woll is the most recent goalie to have his masks knocked off throughout play, indignant on the delay earlier than a whistle. While there’s been debate in regards to the present rule — which permits motion to proceed when the offensive workforce is in management — one other means of attacking the issue is altering the masks themselves. Instead of a buckle snap, there are strategies to bolt the strap to the skin or thread it via the shell to the within.

Senior Director of Hockey Operations Kay Whitmore, who performed 155 NHL video games in objective, made a presentation to the GMs on the current conferences, exhibiting these examples. The energetic goalies clearly have a say, however this might be an answer.

23. Last Saturday, Jonathan Huberdeau fought Mikko Rantanen after the hit that lower Matt Coronato and landed Dallas’s winger a one-game suspension. Huberdeau acquired an instigator. Maybe I’m loopy, however I don’t suppose anybody ought to get an instigator when the man he fights receives a recreation misconduct. 

24. I howled once I noticed Adam Foote’s quotes about utilizing publicly obtainable analytics: “They’re just looking at numbers from people that could be in Russia in a basement, having cigarettes and cashews.”

Three issues on this: first, and foremost, Foote will shield his gamers. He is aware of something unfavourable he says a couple of Canuck will likely be used in opposition to them, so he bends over backwards to not do it. View every thing he says via this lens. If he does criticize somebody, that’s actually un-good.

Second, groups do declare what’s privately obtainable to them is far more correct than public info. This shouldn’t be an atypical perspective throughout the NHL.

Third, I rushed to the schedule, begging now we have Vancouver on Saturday. Santa considers me boy, as a result of my want got here true — they’re enjoying the Kings. I will likely be on-set to debate this recreation with a field of cashews, and promise to smoke if Sportsnet lets me. 

25. It was particular watching Arber and Florian Xhekaj make their NHL double debut final Saturday. Florida beloved Florian heading into that 2023 draft, assembly with him a number of occasions within the lead-up. That included the evening earlier than the draft, apparently concentrating on him wherever between the third and sixth rounds, I imagine. Montreal discovered. They acquired him within the fourth spherical, a hundred and first general.

26. I believe some organizations want to know extra in regards to the folks in Florida’s entrance workplace, however GM Bill Zito retains them locked in his trunk. 

27. Wednesday evening is Game 2 of the CHL/USA Prospects Challenge, in Lethbridge. The Americans gained Game 1 4-2 Tuesday evening in Calgary. Anyone can have a nasty day, however everybody I do know there was upset with the CHL efficiency. Canada swept the two-game sequence final season, and coach Willie Desjardins noticed how motivated the American gamers have been. “They were more ready at the start,” he stated. “I think they had a lot to prove from last year. I think we thought that maybe we could get away with it, just had to show up.” How you carry out after a nasty day is a real check of who you might be.

28. Morgan Geekie is tied for the NHL lead in targets (17, with Nate MacKinnon). Kyle Bukauskas walked as much as him just a few weeks in the past and opened with, “How’s life as a 30-goal scorer?” Geekie replied, “Same as it was as a nine-goal scorer.” Kyle hasn’t been rejected that badly because the Campbell River Collegiate promenade. 

29. Podcast thought-line query that ought to be shared with a wider viewers: What workforce has allowed probably the most “Revenge Goals” — targets scored in opposition to by former gamers? The crack Sportsnet Stats workforce seemed via all energetic gamers and found the reply is Chicago (64). Phillip Danault and Artemi Panarin lead with eight. Most by one participant in opposition to one workforce: William Karlsson, clobbering the Ducks with 16. Utah has the fewest with one (Matias Maccelli), Seattle has six. Fewest with an extended historical past: Detroit (11). Highest Canadian workforce is Toronto (44). James van Riemsdyk is probably the most prolific ex-Leaf, with eight.  

30. Duncan Keith’s induction implies that each eligible defensive winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy is within the Hall of Fame: Serge Savard (1969), Bobby Orr (1970 & 72), Larry Robinson (1978), Al MacInnis (1989), Brian Leetch (1994), Scott Stevens (2000), Nicklas Lidstrom (2002), Scott Niedermayer (2007) and Keith (2015). Still to return: Victor Hedman (2020) and Cale Makar (2022). Feel assured predicting they are going to be enshrined, too. Bold, I do know. 

31. Speaking of the Hall, I’m a Curtis Joseph truther. He ought to be in. His e book is excellent, and final week he did an wonderful interview on the St. Louis Blues YouTube web page (Life As A Blue). Something he stated caught with me: his 1993 playoff breakthrough, a surprising first-round sweep of Chicago, a Stanley Cup Finalist the earlier season.

“It felt amazing because my teammates gave me the response I was craving,” he stated. “And the response that I was craving was, ‘Great job. Way to be there for us.’ I need to be needed. When those guys would come back to me and go, ‘Great job,’ I felt a sense of team, I felt a sense of family, which I hadn’t had in my entire life. That experience gave me all of that in a two-week period. Everything that I needed in life.”

32. Our Hockey Night in Canada Hockey Fights Cancer broadcast is Saturday. There are three folks I’d like to say.

Molly Kay Friedman (1947-82): My mom died on her thirty fifth birthday. Our relationship was…advanced. Forty-three years later, I’ve better understanding of how this insidious illness affected her not solely bodily, however emotionally. I realized painful classes: how life is fleeting, how nothing is assured. How all of us have obligations, however these can not forestall you from discovering time to do what you get pleasure from and chasing your desires. You by no means know when issues we take as a right will likely be taken from you. 

I bear in mind her funeral, feeling nice shock at a few of the individuals who confirmed. Even now, once I’m extra remotely related to somebody who’s handed (or their household), I attempt to attend. If there’s one piece of recommendation I’d share, it’s this. So significant for folks to see faces they don’t anticipate. 

Charles Pollock (1964-2016): I don’t have an older brother, however at all times admired two older cousins, Charles and his brother, Andrew. We didn’t see a ton of one another, however beloved listening to their tales once we did — each massive, charismatic personalities. When I lined basketball, Charles, who turned a stockbroker, would request my NCAA males’s basketball bracket to attempt to win the corporate pool. Last reminiscence of him: at my wedding ceremony, we had these plastic tubes stuffed with Reese’s Pieces. Charles walked out with two handfuls as I laughed my head off. 

Jason Brenzel (1984-2025, seen right here with son Levi): My brother-in-law’s brother (we’re married to sisters).

From his spouse, Natalie: One 12 months in the past, nearly to the day, Jason was identified with Stage Four esophageal most cancers, on the age of 40. Jason was the final word “Master of All Trades,” excelling in every thing from golf, snowboarding, mountain biking, carpentry and watch restore, cooking, and many others. and many others. He introduced that willpower to this problem and spent greater than eight weeks in-and-out of hospital, present process painful checks, chemotherapy and radiation, enduring heartbreaking dialog after heartbreaking dialog. But Jason maintained his trademark quiet braveness, energy, and appreciation for the assist round him.

His household was by no means ever removed from his thoughts, particularly Levi. One afternoon, in direction of the tip of Jason’s closing hospitalization, Levi got here for a go to and Jason in some way mustered the energy to choose him up and wrap him in an enormous hug. It took nearly every thing out of him, however “it was value it,” he advised his household. After an extremely brave 15-week battle, Jason handed away March thirteenth, surrounded by his household. He is rarely removed from our minds, and so very missed. 

There isn’t an individual studying this weblog who hasn’t been affected by most cancers. As we method Saturday’s present, these three are uppermost in my thoughts.