Simmer’s Skate: Brian Burke on Offer Sheets, Canucks Schedule Changes

Vancouver Canucks play-by-play man Brendan Batchelor has been sharing photos of informal skates on social media … the early pic’s included Jason Dickinson, Vasily Podkolzin, Jonah Gadjovich and goalie Thatcher Demko out with goalie coach Ian Clark. Later main group attendees include JT Miller, Bo Horvat, Tanner Pearson and former Canuck Alex Edler. We’re getting cloooseeeeer, but for now …

Let’s Skate here! …

— The Vancouver Canucks popped up in part of the NHL’s re-scheduling announcement. Here are the two date changes for the Canucks:

* Game #1310, Los Angeles at Vancouver, scheduled for April 29 is now scheduled for April 28 at 7 p.m. PT
* Game #1207, Vancouver at Edmonton, scheduled for April 16, is now scheduled for April 29 at 7 p.m. MT

And here’s the rest of the NHL schedule adjustments if you’re interested.

— A few days ago I ranked Elias Pettersson against his fellow Pacific Division centres. Today NHL.com consulted eight of their writers and came up with whom they thought would be the league’s best centre. Just the best. They came up with six candidates.

— Among other things, Brian Burke is responsible for drafting Daniel and Henrik Sedin for the Vancouver Canucks during his time here as General Manager from 1998 to 2004. He’s called the 1999 draft his best management maneuvering ever. Today he’s calling Calgary his favourite market to work in, in an interview with his former employer Sportsnet. The current president of hockey operations for the PIttsburgh Penguins is back in Alberta for his “Targets for Kids” charity event and talking offer sheets, practice habits, and Winter Olympics.

— The first of two relevant, local-region junior hockey announcements: The Trail Smoke Eaters are looking for billet families. Check out more information here.

— And number two: According to a tweet from Ryan Kennedy of the Hockey News, “Due to border issues, WHL announces that the US Division and BC Division will only play within their own divisions until November. Portland vs Kamloops will be first back on Nov. 3”