Simmer’s AM Skate: Canucks Snoozing?, Top NHL Free Agents

Vancouver Canucks fans and everyone in Canada can begin to enjoy the August long weekend. Please have fun and be safe. Pop by, we’ll be here with fresh NHL and Vancouver Canucks news and feature information throughout the four days.

Hockey never sleeps. In fact, the 2022 World Junior Championship starts in 11 days and the European professional leagues get cranking later next month as well.

Let’s Skate!

This is super cool. Washington Hockey Now tells us Alex Ovechkin and Dmitri Orlov are showing support for the Paralympics and they’ll both play a sled hockey match. I can tell you first hand that it’s not easy and the ‘Sled’, ‘Sledge’, Para-Hockey players, the latter is now the official name, are remarkable. I’ve been around it, tried it, did play-by-play of an international match on TSN and have covered the Worlds. If you’ve never seen it, it’s surprisingly fast and shockingly physical. Washington Capitals news.

Speaking of international, Czech goalie hero and former Stanley Cup champion Dominik Hasek isn’t backing down as it relates to support for Ukraine following the Russian invasion. While the rest of America seems to have gotten bored with the war stories, the ‘human slinky’ is in a full-on war of words with the Russians. Go, Dominator! Detroit Red Wings coverage.

Free Agent Fuss

Pittsburgh Hockey Now’s Dave Molinari writes that no one should underestimate the Pittsburgh Penguins signing Danton Heinen.

The Sportsnet posse has the top 10 NHL unrestricted free agents (UFA’s) — the latest news and NHL rumours regarding the pack of unsigned pucksters.

Meanwhile, ESPN writer Greg Wyshinski lays out seven potential destinations for Nazem Kadri, while Boston Hockey Now may have a say in that as well. Kadri and the Boston Bruins?

How’s Your Quebecois

Montreal Hockey Now’s Marco D’Amico writes that everyone in Hab-land should just chill out. (Good luck with that). He says it’s not yet time for a big splash on the NHL trade market. The Montreal Canadiens aren’t there yet.

By the way, the Canadiens have now jumped on-board with the preseason Buffalo Sabres prospect tourney, which will include first-overall pick Juraj Slafkovsky. Here’s the separate dealie on the Montreal Canadiens prospects.

Out West

New Calgary Flames forward Jonathan Huberdeau did the classy thing and said bye-bye formally to the Florida Panthers fans.

Colorado Hockey Now: Adrian Dater looked at the numbers. In the playoffs, Cale Makar was even better than we thought. Scary good. Colorado Avalanche.

San Jose Hockey Now: This should come as no surprise, the San Jose Sharks will retire Patrick Marleau’s No. 12 this coming season. Will they duplicate the LA Kings Dustin Brown statue effort? San Jose Sharks Pacific Division news.

Future Canucks

For your perusal in case you missed them. The three most recent ‘Vancouver Canucks of Tomorrow’.

We’ll be waiting a bit for right-shot D-man Jonathan Myrenberg.

Come Vancouver Canucks training camp, it’ll be exciting to see what Danila Klimovich brings to the table.

The name of the game is goalie, right Arturs Silovs?

Have a fantastic Friday!