Canucks Coaching Future?
Three hot topics surround the Vancouver Canucks as they struggle into mid-November: What’s the future for head coach Bruce Boudreau and his coaching staff; what’s wrong with Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko; and is Vancouver management getting ready to pull the trigger on a major trade or two.
We started to delve into one of those topics on Thursday which is here: Trading J.T. Miller and/or Tanner Pearson?
The club announced Friday morning that Pearson underwent successful hand surgery and will be out 4 to 6 weeks.
And we also looked at the difficult life and times of goalkeeper Demko: His team, his brain, and history.
A coaching change scenario will come later today.
In the meantime …
Let’s Skate !
A deal with the Devils? It couldn’t happen to a nicer guy; that would be New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald. “Fitzy’s” team is rolling.
The kids from Newark won their eighth consecutive game on Thursday evening, a 4-3 overtime victory against the Ottawa Senators. The Metro Division leaders are getting balanced scoring with high-end help coming from Jesper Bratt’s 18 points, Nico Hischier’s 16, and Jack Hughes with his 14 points. Dougie Hamilton has chipped in 11 points from the back-end. The Devils have a plus-15 goal differential through 14 games this season, 3rd best in the league.
Pacific Division
Don’t look now but the Calgary Flames have slipped all the way to 5th place in the Pacific Division, 14 points out of first place, six points behind the 2nd place Seattle Kraken, and just one point ahead of the struggling Canucks. Calgary was a favourite to repeat as division champs this season, but it appears some personnel changes haven’t melded just yet.
Out were big names Johnny Gaudreau (Columbus Blue Jackets) and Matthew Tkachuk (Florida Panthers) and in came Nazem Kadri (Colorado Avalanche), Jonathan Huberdeau (Panthers) and defenseman Mackenzie Weegar (Panthers). It’s early, I wouldn’t panic just yet if you’re in southern Alberta.
Meanwhile, up top, the Vegas Golden Knights are the hottest team in the NHL and they have the best overall record.
With their 7-4 win in Buffalo against the Sabres on Thursday night, the “Vegas Born” have nine straight victories and a record of 13-and-2. Former Sabres captain Jack Eichel had a hat trick and added an assist against his ex-mates.
Enjoy the Hockey Action !!
