Vancouver Canucks AM Skate: Dickinson Arb’, Kane Drama, “Flower”

As we noted in Tweet-land yesterday, Vancouver Canucks centerman Jason Dickinson was one of 17 NHL players to file for salary arbitration. Generally no sweat, only one of 26 players who filed last year, Tyler Bertuzzi of Detroit, actually made it all the way to a hearing. This year they’re slated for August 11 to the 26th, but expect Dickinson to sign ahead of that, even as the Canucks number crunch in figuring out new deals for Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes.

– It’s a different kind of she said/he said; in this case, it’s Anna Kane accusing San Jose Sharks forward and Vancouver native Evander Kane of betting on NHL games, including his own. Evander countered with “no way”, despite a reputation for running up some wagering tabs. Anna has answered back again. Rarely an NHL couple airs its dirty laundry in public. The NHL is investigating the gambling allegations. I worked in the NHL NYC HQ for awhile and I don’t recall if the private-eye division had enough staff to handle the Chicago Blackhawks decade-old video coach alleged sexual coercion investigation, the Jake Virtanen alleged sexual misconduct investigation, and now Kane. But then again, I was three floors below with the regular workin’ folks at NHL Productions.

– Speaking of the Chicago investigation, the Blackhawks have also been in the news for their trade to acquire Mark-Andre Fleury from Vegas. It’s had a bunch of ramifications, including a merchandising angle. Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now, where Penguins fans still love “Flower” and follow him, has been all over it. Bit of a saga. Bottom line, Fleury will report and he will play.

– I like to tag or close the occasional broadcast or newsletter with the line “Enjoy the Hockey Action.” But I have to drop that during the summer because there’s no hockey anywhere to enjoy. Guess what? The short summer is over. European leagues start much earlier than the NHL, but none earlier than the KHL in Russia. Saw a tweet for an exhibition game tonight, and I discovered their preseason has already been going for a week! It’s EX Neftekhimik hosting Ak Bars tonight in a game that’s actually about to start.

– The Vancouver Canucks remain busy …

Enjoy the Hockey Action!