Canucks Daily: Euro Players Start Camp, NHL Free Agent Rumours

While Vancouver Canucks fans and management take Monday off for August long weekend, fans throughout Europe are preparing for the start of their seasons. The days are getting shorter, men’s and women’s teams have reconvened for training, and the puck drops shortly. We’re even seeing previews for the start of the Champions League, hockey’s version, for the first games on September 2nd.

It means Vancouver Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin will not only get a chance to talk hockey as he’s home in Sweden, he’ll actually get to visit folks and watch them at rinks if he so desires.

August 1st and the pucks never stop bouncing.

Let’s Skate!

No holiday in the USA today, so let’s twirl around a few markets and catch up with the stories and rumours. Pittsburgh Hockey Now has a slew of topics covered; no wonder more than a million people a month click on their news and views. At the moment they have a Kris Letang and John Klingberg contract comparison, the unlikely possibility of the Penguins only carrying 12 forwards to get under the salary cap, and speculation on the futures of Penguins UFAs Brian Boyle and Evan Rodrigues.

Nazem Kadri to the New York Islanders?? The parties are on lockdown, but it sounds like a deal.

Vegas Hockey Now compares the inaugural seasons of the Vegas Golden Knights and the Seattle Kraken. Now that just doesn’t seem fair, does it.

Detroit Hockey Now examines the future of Tyler Bertuzzi, one year after he signed his two-year bridge deal. He can sign a long-term deal this summer or become a free agent in 2023.

Vancouver Canucks fans will find this one bothersome: As Jimmy Murphy writes; if GM Don Sweeney is getting the 2011 band back together for one more go, as in the return of Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, they might as well go all out and bring back Milan Lucic. Boston Bruins opinion. Hmm, but where’s Timmy Thomas??

North of the Border

Sportsnet: A couple of names have already been picked off their top-UFA list from last week, so who does the TV network have listed in the top-RFA category.

Sidney Crosby isn’t the only superstitious hockey player. You may recall number-87 has been getting paid $8.7-million per season forever. Nick Suzuki of the Montreal Canadiens structured his new contract in a goofy manner to also honour his numerology. $4,000,014. Montreal Hockey Now.

Have a happy and safe Monday holiday!!