Canucks Daily: Vancouver Free Agents, Kane’s Hot Trade Talk

Welcome to the meaty part of the long weekend, and a happy one to all of you Canucks fans labouring out there for part or all of the next three days.

With J.T. Miller signed for the next eight seasons, including the year he has remaining on his current contract, here’s the rest of the Canucks that are due-up by next summer. Obviously not all will return.

Restricted free agents (RFA) include Nils Höglander, Will Lockwood and Travis Dermott, while unrestricted free agents (UFA) include Bo Horvat, Andrey Kuzmenko, Luke Schenn, Justin Dowling and Kyle Burroughs. The long-term injured contract of Michael Ferland, who last played an NHL game on December 10th, 2019 and was forced to stop playing due to concussions, will also come off the books.

Defenceman Brady Keeper and other minor leaguers also dot the list.

More on these lads very shortly. In the meantime …

Let’s Skate!

We’ve written quite a bit about Russian players lately, with one coach back there wanting the NHL stars to come home, the war in Ukraine raging on, and the Canucks welcoming a growing contingent of players from the former Soviet bloc. Pittsburgh Hockey Now tells us why Russian players like the Penguins’ Evgeni Malkin prefer the NHL over the ruble-rich Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) in Russia? Russian NHL players.

Meanwhile, a player with origins much closer to home, Coquitlam in fact, is Washington Capitals prospect defenceman Vincent Iorio. Washington Hockey Now was impressed with his development camp and takes a closer look at the former Junior Canuck and WHL Brandon Wheat King.

Is former Vancouver Canucks head coach John Tortorella looking to bring the bullying back to Broad Street? Another former member of the Canucks, Zack MacEwen, could skate with the often frightening Nic Deslauriers. Philadelphia Flyers lines.

Trade Talk

Montreal Hockey Now continues to link the Montreal Canadiens with the New York Rangers. The Canadiens have been busy this summer and could do more to snap up some young talent. Percolating NHL trade talk.

The Hockey News talks about four potential landing spots for three-time Stanley Cup champion and career Chicago Blackhawk Patrick Kane.

Enjoy your Saturday!