Simmer’s Skate: Canucks Prospect Wins, ‘Patch’ to Miss 6 Months

Vancouver Canucks 5th-round draft pick from 2020 Jacob Truscott played 14:26 and had a shot on goal for Team USA on Tuesday evening in his team’s 5-1 victory over Germany in the 2022 World Juniors tournament in Edmonton. Fellow defence prospect Joni Jurmo was part of Finland’s 6-1 win over Latvia earlier in the evening.

Vancouver Canucks defenceman Quinn Hughes’s little brother Luke scored the opening goal of the game for the Americans. 18-year-old, left-shot defenceman Luke Hughes, the 4th-overall pick of the New Jersey Devils in the 2021 NHL Draft, plays for the University of Michigan like Quinn did before him. Middle brother Jack Hughes already plays centre for the Devils.

Let’s Skate!

Ouch! Newly acquired winger Max Pacioretty of the Carolina Hurricanes will reportedly miss six months due to surgery on a torn Achilles tendon. He’s actually undergoing the surgery today (Wednesday) and will likely return to the Hurricanes line-up in February.

Kirby Dach was a big name changing places at the NHL Draft, from the Blackhawks to the Canadiens. Dude still needs a contract. Montreal Hockey Now spoke with an NHL source who significantly downplayed Dach’s next deal. $1.7 million per?

Edmonton Abuzz

OK. This is weird and messy, so I’m just gonna clip a line from the Sportsnet story and include the link: Claims Edmonton Oilers owner Daryl Katz had an inappropriate relationship with a former ballerina were withdrawn because she was not a minor during her alleged interaction with him.

Meanwhile, the Edmonton Journal speculates about the possibility of PK Subban in the blue and orange Oilers sweater, or maybe even Phil Kessel? Good luck with the salary cap.

Motown Muddle

BC native Steve Yzerman generally lives on a pedestal in the Motor City. The confidence level from fans in his managing abilities are generally exemplary. Not so from an NHL Draft consultant who wasn’t too kind about the Red Wings selections. Stevie Y got roughed up just a bit. Detroit Red Wings criticism.

Enjoy your Wednesday!