Canucks Daily: WJC, 9-Million for Kadri?, The Next ‘Best’ Draft Class

Anyone feel a surprise Vancouver Canucks personnel manoeuvre coming on? If not, the focus this week will be the World Junior Championship in Edmonton that starts Tuesday. Team Canada plays a warm-up exhibition match today against Sweden and then opens their actual tournament on Wednesday against Latvia.

As VHN described Sunday, the Vancouver Canucks have a number of representatives on hand, as in players from various countries. That includes 2022 1st-round draft pick Jonathan Lekkerimaki for Team Sweden, defenceman and former 5th-rounder Jacob Truscott of Team USA, and the young man we featured in our Sunday “Vancouver Canucks of Tomorrow” article, Finland’s Joni Jurmo, a 3rd-round Canucks pick from 2020.

The Kadri Chronicles

We should all aspire to be ‘Brooksie’. Larry Brooks, the Hockey Hall of Fame honoured writer for the New York Post, reports that Nazem Kadri wants a salary that “begins with a 9.” A few prominent folks believe his deal is already done with the Islanders.

Stefen Rosner at NYI Hockey Now is one of those who have been told Kadri and the Islanders are at the finish line, but nothing is concluded until the contract is signed and submitted to the NHL. If and when it happens, there will be some roster rearranging going on, including the potential loss of J-G Pageau. Where does that actually leave the New York Islanders?

The TV Networks

A little content volley from each side of the border:

Twenty years after what’s considered the greatest NHL Draft class ever, 2003, we’re looking at a pretty darn good one. Sportsnet takes a fresh look at the 2023 NHL Draft after the Hlinka Cup.

While ESPN ranks the best under-the-radar 2022 UFA signings.

Canada Hockey Now

Jonathan Drouin trade rumours have settled down in Montreal and after missing a hunk of last season following wrist surgery, the Canadiens winger says he’s looking forward to finally getting a chance to play for head coach Martin St. Louis on a regular basis. Montreal Hockey Now and the Habs.

Calgary Hockey Now: Wouldn’t it be something, if after all of the upheaval, Jonathan Huberdeau becomes the next captain of the Calgary Flames.

Have a great Monday!