All’s quiet on the Canadian western front since the Canucks signed free agent forward Pius Suter eight days ago. The Canucks gave the Swiss center $3.2-million over two seasons as he enters his fourth NHL campaign.
Not so quiet down south where the Anaheim Ducks added defenceman Ilya Lyubushkin from the Buffalo Sabres on Friday in exchange for a previously acquired 4th-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. The 29-year-old, right-handed Russian played 68 games for Buffalo last season and tallied a career high 14 points.
R.J.
Those Buffalo Sabres, the expansion brothers of the Vancouver Canucks from 1970, continue to mourn the loss of their legendary broadcaster Rick Jeanneret, who called their games on radio and then television from 1971 through 2022. He died on Thursday at the age of 81, a year after retiring and having a banner hoisted in his honour at KeyBank Center.
Fans outside of Buffalo would have heard some of his distinctive highlight calls, but what might be overlooked by some is that he was always “on the puck”. Part of an NHL breed that gets rarer as time goes by, he had a great traditional call, as in you knew what was happening, where it was happening, and to whom it was being done at all times. He was also just flat out fun to listen to, with a unique voice and one-of-a-kind banter.
Here was an emotional and poignant moment of reflection from Sabres Live on Friday with our pals Brian Duff and Marty Biron with guest Doc Emrick.
Canucks Calendar
Upcoming events in the neighbourhood:
If you’re interested, the Western Hockey League gets underway shortly with a number of options in British Columbia and nearby Washington state in which to watch major junior hockey.
The Vancouver Giants open their season at home on September 22nd against the Victoria Royals.
One week prior to that, the Canucks will begin the four-day “Future Stars” event in Penticton featuring prospects from their system and those from the Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames, and Winnipeg Jets. It starts September 15th.
The first preseason game for Vancouver hits on September 24th on the road against the Calgary Flames. The regular season begins at home against the Edmonton Oilers on October 11th.
Recent Canucks:
— Former Canucks Coach Travis Green’s New Challenge
— Draft Expert Talks Canucks Lekkerimäki and Willander
