The Vancouver Canucks will remain a bit of a mystery to hockey viewers in the USA with ESPN not including the hockey club in its 103 game prime network package, while the NHL on TNT will show the Canucks twice, oddly enough while visiting the Calgary Flames on Wednesday, December 14th and again while hosting the Anaheim Ducks on March 8th.
It would appear the Canucks will have to make the playoffs before the audience south of the border will have a real opportunity to follow American-born stars. Quinn Hughes, JT Miller, Brock Boeser, and Thatcher Demko.
Schedules are subject to change.
Let’s Skate!
Speaking of schedules, the 2023 World Junior Championship will feature a standard one with the tournament starting on December 26th, 2022 and running through the medal matches on January 5th. Canada will open against the Czech Republic in defense of the title they won just last month in the Covid-delayed version of the 2022 championship.
Preliminary round games will be played in Moncton and Halifax with the medal round taking place in the Nova Scotia capital.
Player Movement?
Pittsburgh is the center of the NHL universe for transaction chatter on Thursday with one failed effort and another one potentially very much alive.
First, according to Pittsburgh Hockey Nowthe Penguins had an offer for forward Jason Zucker on the NHL trade market but declined. It was a Metro Division team, too. Here’s more on what would have been a little Penguins trade bombshell.
Meanwhile, right-shot center Evan Rodriques’s name has surfaced endlessly this summer as a free agent rumor and this time it lands with Elliotte Friedman on the Sportsnet 32 Thoughts podcast. Elliotte has the scoop on Rodrigues and his choices.
The 29-year-old pivot had a 19-goal, 43-point season in 2021-’22 and is probably looking for a raise over the $1-million he made last season. Tough market.
Hab Chatter
Montreal Hockey Now: Habs GM Kent Hughes admitted the Montreal Canadiens are talking trades. With young forward Kirby Dach signed, Montreal is $10 million over the salary cap until goalie Carey Price goes on Long-Term-Injured-Reserve. Even then they’re still a wee bit over and are looking to swap out some personnel.
Enjoy your Thursday!