Canucks: Trade Talk Galore, Fighting Ukrainian, NHL Russians

The Vancouver Canucks plan to practice at the new UBS Arena, home of the New York Islanders, at 1 pm eastern time on Wednesday. Three teams the Vancouver Canucks are chasing in the NHL Western Conference playoff race won on Tuesday night, the Anaheim Ducks over the Boston Bruins 4-3 on a Trevor Zegras power play goal with 22-seconds remaining, the Vegas Golden Knights 3-1 over the San Jose Sharks, and the Edmonton Oilers shutting out the Flyers in Philly 3-0.

No shortage of trade talk and somewhat controversial NHL related activities going on in the world so while we wait for the Vancouver Canucks to go for a twirl …

Let’s Skate ! …

Trade Market

Montreal Hockey Now and Boston Hockey Now’s Jimmy Murphy and the National Hockey Now group hit us with these late last night:

After notching his first NHL hat trick and adding an assist in a 7-0 win for the Bruins, will the value on the NHL trade market for Jake DeBrusk ever be higher? The Bruins winger, who requested a trade earlier in the season now has a five-game point streak going with seven goals and two assists over that span.

Philadelphia Flyers: When the Philadelphia Flyers rocked the NHL trade market last summer and acquired defenseman Ryan Ellis in a three-way trade with the Nashville Predators and Vegas Golden Knights, it looked like the Flyers would have one of the best blue lines in the NHL this season. Instead, Ellis has played just four games, the Flyers defense has been a mess and now Ellis is likely done for the season.

Detroit Red Wings: The New York Rangers are scouring the NHL Trade market for a defenseman. Could they find one on the Detroit Red Wings blue line?

Calgary Flames: Add the Calgary Flames to the list of Stanley Cup contenders looking for defensive depth on the NHL trade market.

Toronto Maple Leafs: The latest Cup contender linked to Chicago Blackhawks goalie Marc-Andre Fleury in NHL trade rumors.

Ukrainian Hockey Fights Back

Back to Murph’ for this one (St. Patrick’s Day must be getting close), the remarkable bravery of former NHLer Dmitri Khristich and other professional athletes from Ukraine taking up arms against the Russian invasion. The list includes some prominent professional boxers. Khristich played for the Washington Capitals, Boston Bruins, Los Angeles Kings, and Toronto Maple Leafs in an NHL career that spanned a dozen seasons.

Uh Oh Evgeni

Some ugly and unfortunate side effects from that Russian invasion of Ukraine.

San Jose: Russian NHLers are facing death threats when they speak out against the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Pittsburgh: Our boss man Dan (Kingerski) says star veteran forward Evgeni Malkin is being cut off on the marketing side. Dan’s national wrap-up starts with some of this:

Evgeni Malkin hasn’t yet addressed the Russian invasion, and he probably has zero desire to do so. It’s a no-win situation. Say too little, the internet will gang up on you. Say too much and a ruthless dictator will harm you or your family …

He’s never been a big Russian cheerleader, but the sports world is banning and disassociating with everything Russian. On Tuesday, CCM announced it would no longer use Russian players in marketing. Alex Ovechkin was specifically mentioned, but Evgeni Malkin and Dmitry Orlov are other Russians under CCM contract.

It’s a mixed up, wacky, and dangerous world. In the meantime Vancouver Canucks fans…

Enjoy the Hockey Action !!