Canucks Draft Daily: We Have a Trade to Report, Other Rumours Flying

The Vancouver Canucks and the rest of the National Hockey League are now just an afternoon away from starting the 2022 NHL Draft in Montreal. Wednesday evening festivities involved a who’s who of imbibers out and about in Hab-land as the hockey community revelled in a chance to truly interact at this event for the first time in three years. Let’s just say it was very, very entertaining running into head coaches, scouts, etc. and media folks from across the land.

There is a small contingent of those covering the Vancouver Canucks.

Champs Grab a Goalie

With Stanley Cup winning goaltender Darcy Kuemper rolling up to unrestricted free agency (UFA) status in less than a week, the Colorado Avalanche nabbed the rights to New York Rangers goalie Alexandar Georgiev on Thursday morning for a third-round draft pick this year and next and a fifth-rounder this year.

Georgiev is a restricted free agent (RFA) with arbitration rights who needs to be signed. He joins Pavel Francouz who played superbly in the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs, going 6-and-0 in the postseason as the back-up to Kuemper.

Letang Re-signs

Bit of a head scratcher. Six years for $6.1-million per season for a 35-year-old right-shot defenceman who will likely see his number-58 hanging in the rafters in PIttsburgh whenever he wraps up playing. That’s the contract Penguins GM Ron Hextall gave Kris Letang on Thursday morning. The Montreal native joined the only NHL team he’s ever known for the 2007-’08 season and has helped the club win three Stanley Cups.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now had it nailed in advance. They also have Penguins trade scenarios centered around their 21st-overall draft pick.

Mock Draft

MHN also has the latest on the Josh Anderson rumours, apparently the Ottawa Senators have come calling. Montreal Canadiens trade talk.

Pacific Division

— Edmonton Oilers General Manager Ken Holland said the Oilers and Evander Kane are not close on a new deal, according to Sportsnet.

— Bryan Marchment played for nine different NHL teams during his NHL career with the San Jose Sharks being the team with which he spent the most time, five-plus seasons. Marchment died suddenly at age-53 on Wednesday. His son Mason Marchment plays for the Florida Panthers. Florida Hockey Now has more.

DC Doings

You might recall that Carl Hagelin suffered a gruesome eye injury in practice this past season, which has threatened his career. The speedy winger and his team will get clarity later this summer if the Swede can return to action. Washington Capitals news.

Part of the rumour mill, the Capitals have the 20th overall pick and are exploring options. Sammi Silber looks at the Washington Capitals’ draft decision making process.

The Vancouver Canucks have the 15th-overall NHL Draft pick. We’ll let you know if that changes.

Enjoy the NHL Draft. Cheers!