Canucks AM Skate: Eichel Rumours, Team Canada, Big Contracts

Rumour has it Creative Artists Agency and Pat Brisson have added disgruntled Sabres captain Jack Eichel to their client list, which of course includes Vancouver Canucks young stars Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes. Brisson spoke to us at VHN earlier this week as the two Canucks remain unsigned.

Does Sean Couturier re-signing in Philadelphia and Andrei Svechnikov signing in Carolina, both for eight-years and $7.750-million per season, have any affect?

Let’s Skate! …

— This is hot off the presses … reported by the Associated Press in the US and picked up by the Canadian Press Friday morning.

“With his future in Buffalo uncertain, Sabres captain Jack Eichel is changing agents while in the midst of a long-standing dispute with the team over how to treat a neck injury, four people with direct knowledge of the player’s decision told The Associated Press on Friday.

The people spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity because the paperwork for Eichel to switch agents is in the process of being submitted to the NHL Players’ Association. Sportsnet.ca first reported the development.”

The NHL news is picking up as September fast approaches. Expect some Winter Olympic news and more Vancouver Canucks news very shortly.

— Meanwhile, Couturier is a 28-year-old two-way, top-line centre who won the Selke Trophy in 2020, while Svechnikov is a physical first line winger just coming out of his entry level contract, so it’s odd in a way for the contracts to match-up. But for whatever reason the planets aligned, the analysis has begun. NBC’s James O’Brien talks about the pro’s and con’s of the Flyers deal. As for the Svechnikov re-signing, former NHL player and long time Canadian TV analyst Nick Kypreos loves the deal for the Canes.

“This is a good deal for Carolina, this might end up being a bargain when it’s all said and done,” Kypreos told us. “I really like him, he’s gonna be what (Gabriel) Landeskog is in Colorado.” “Kyper” talked about the Vancouver Canucks situation as well; VHN will be featuring the conversation this Sunday.

A happy, happy Svechnikov told his local CBS affiliate in Raleigh that he’s stoked. The contract takes him through 2028-29 while his star centre, linemate Sebastian Aho is secured through 2023-’24 at $8.46-million per season.

— Holy Moly Team Canada. We previewed the game for you here, but didn’t expect this 5-1 result over the Americans. Of course big picture, barring an upset in the quarterfinals or semi’s, the two North American squads are the favourites to meet up again in the Gold Medal game.

As we mentioned, bragging rights are temporary but it does give the Canadian gals a great deal of confidence moving ahead in the tournament. It also gives them the easier semifinal draw assuming they next take care of Germany and the Americans easily handle Japan. The preliminary round finished with three Canadians in the top-five in scoring. Melodie Daoust is first with seven points, Natalie Spooner and Brianne Jenner are tied for second with six. The quarterfinals are Saturday.

Enjoy the hockey action!