Canucks Daily: Angry Fans Left in the Wake, NHL Unemployment

The Vancouver Canucks might be taking a little break for a few days, who’s to say. The hefty part of hockey holiday time usually isn’t until August, when General Manager Patrik Allvin will find some relaxation in Sweden and the rest of the staff will shack up with family elsewhere.

But don’t drop your guard. If a deal is to be made, if the right one comes along shortly, the Vancouver Canucks will pull the trigger … although I’m not counting on it. Significant free agents aren’t available to the Vancouver Canucks at the moment due to the salary cap. Yes, you can run over the limit during the summer, but they don’t want to be scrambling ahead of the season. Not this regime’s style anyway.

While we ponder, let’s take a twirl around the NHL …

Oh Johnny – Part 2

— It’s been four years since John Tavares bailed from Long Island for Toronto. New York Islanders fans can sympathize with Calgary Flames fans who are distraught over Johnny Gaudreau leaving them for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

— Pittsburgh Hockey Now brings up the fact that we’re three days into NHL free agency and there’s still plenty of players available. Hockey’s form of unemployment.

— He’s the son of the Toronto Maple Leafs former long-time public address announcer Andy Frost, which has nothing to do with the fact that it’s probably time for Philadelphia Flyers forward Morgan Frost to realize his potential.

— In case you missed it, the Washington Capitals are very excited about their off-season thus far. See why.

A Bit Further West …

— We’ve been talking about big Defencemen lately in Vancouver, how about what Cranbrook native and Red Wings GM Stevie Yzerman has in Detroit. Detroit Red Wings 19-year-old prospect defenceman Simon Edvinsson is 6-foot-5 and 203 pounds. …and he’s still growing!

— Wait a sec’. Is Nazem Kadri headed back to Colorado?

— DC west? Apparently another happy off-season thus far, as scouts are giving the San Jose Sharks high grades for their NHL Draft picks. Good for new general manager Mike Grier.

NHL Canada

— Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes believes he got a ‘difference maker’ when he drafted Juraj Slafkovsky first overall at the 2022 NHL Draft on July 7.

— After losing Gaudreau, the Calgary Flames are apparently courting another star player who previously spurned them.