Canucks Daily: Chirping, Bad Vibes in the Wild Crease, Truths and Trade Rumours

Simmer’s Sunday Skate has the Vancouver Canucks starting the off-ice portion of Development Camp today with the rest of the NHL doing the same thing while taking stock after the 2022 NHL Draft. This is going to be a busy week leading up to and including the ‘free agent frenzy’ of July 13th.

The Vancouver Canucks prospects and other invitees will begin the on-ice portion of camp on Monday morning at 9:45. Two daily sessions will conclude in the early afternoon on Thursday.

In the meantime, let’s go for an NHL spin …

Signings and Nearly Signed

— Adrian Dater reports Valeri Nichushkin is close to a new deal with the Colorado Avalanche. You may recall dude was a stud in the playoffs, with nine goals and six assists over 20 playoff games. Avalanche defenceman Cale Makar won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP, Nichushkin would have been a contender.

— Some tasty chirping going on in Minnesota after the Wild re-signed goalie Marc-Andre Fleury to a two-year deal. An agent for the club’s other goaltender Cam Talbot, who has a year remaining for $3.6-million, fired off a cryptic tweet upon hearing the news. Guerin shot back, “He can say whatever the hell he wants.” TwinCities.com has the fun fun about Fleury in Minnesota? Shutzup and compete, I say.

— The Nashville Predators and Filip Forsberg will stick together for another eight years and $68 million after the almost free agent winger signed over the weekend.

— Big extension talks are underway with the Boston Bruins and winger David Pastrnak. Here’s the latest from Boston Hockey Now.

Trade Realities and Rumours

— There’s was some nervous fan reaction on Long Island over the Islanders dealing the 13th-overall pick to Montreal for defenceman Alexander Romanov. Our Stefen Rosner writes, not a problem if Romanov works out. New York Islanders. Allegedly there was some Islanders chit chat with the Vancouver Canucks for Tyler Myers along the way.

— Philly Hockey Now: Philly media asked Tony DeAngelo about past suspensions for racist, homophobic or abusive comments. “I’m not a racist at all,” DeAngelo said. Here’s the full presser and analysis after the big Philadelphia Flyers trade with the Carolina Hurricanes.

— Say it ain’t so Stevie-Y. Some in the Motown crowd are thinking GM Steve Yzerman and the Red Wings could have done more at the draft. The Detroit Red Wings disappointment angle. I wouldn’t question the Cranbrook Kid, he’s building a stalwart line-up from the blueline out. Remember, he’s essentially the architect of this Tampa Bay Lightning almost-dynasty.

— They didn’t come to fruition on the draft floor, but the talks between GM Kent Hughes of the Montreal Canadiens and Ron Hextall of the Pittsburgh Penguins were ongoing and may continue. Pittsburgh Hockey Now adds a new name to the Penguins trade rumours.

Bummer Braden

— Tough news potentially from Washington DC … yeah, besides the political environment. It seems former Vancouver Canucks netminder Braden Holtby may end his career this summer. His lower-body injury suffered with the Dallas Stars in March is severe enough that it could be over. Washington Capitals news.

— Vegas: And a light one to finish for you fashionistas … all signs point to the gold jerseys being the new home sweaters for the Vegas Golden Knights.

Talk soon. Enjoy what’s left of the weekend. Cheers!