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Vancouver Canucks: Nikita Tryamkin is not interested in talking now

By Scott Rosenhek

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK - MAY 12, 2018: Russia's goaltender Vasily Koshechkin (L) and his teammate Nikita Tryamkin in their 2018 IIHF World Championship Group A ice hockey match against Switzerland at Royal Arena in Copenhagen; Russia won 4-3. Alexander Demianchuk/TASS (Photo by Alexander DemianchukTASS via Getty Images)
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK - MAY 12, 2018: Russia's goaltender Vasily Koshechkin (L) and his teammate Nikita Tryamkin in their 2018 IIHF World Championship Group A ice hockey match against Switzerland at Royal Arena in Copenhagen; Russia won 4-3. Alexander Demianchuk/TASS (Photo by Alexander DemianchukTASS via Getty Images) /
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Nikita Tryamkin is at the World Championships in Denmark. Janik Biechler was hoping to get a chance to talk to him, but he wasn’t interested.

Vancouver Canucks fans are hopeful for the return of Nikita Tryamkin. The gentle giant is one year into his KHL contract, coming off a great season. Being on that side of Europe, it’s difficult for Canucks fans to get regular updates on the Russian defender.

That’s why, when there’s a chance to see him on the international stage, it presents an opportunity to talk to him. Denmark and the IIHF World Championships did just that. Vancouver did not specifically send reporters there, but Janik Beichler did try to schedule an interview.

I’ll let Janik describe how well that went for him.

I wouldn’t say that’s the best sign of Tryamkin’s relationship with the Canucks. Beichler did not get a chance to speak with him and it appears he wants nothing to do with anyone connected to the Canucks. Apparently this includes those who cover them.

Regardless of how you feel about his departure, it seems he still feels burned by the organization. Whether that feeling is misplaced is up for debate. You can point fingers at the organization or at Tryamkin, but I tend to feel both were at fault. The Canucks poorly communicated with him, but you could say that Tryamkin gave up on North America a little too quickly.

When we think we should hear back from him

In light of this, I think it’s just a sign to give him time. The Vancouver Canucks retain his signing rights until July 1, 2022 and his KHL deal is set to end in 2020. Last year, Tryamkin did say he would not consider a return for at least three years.

However, the way he’s closing himself off to Canucks media is not a promising start. Sure, things could change in a few years, but if he loves playing in Russia, the Canucks will have to present a lot more than money to bring him back.

Keep in mind that Travis Green is cut from the same old school cloth as Willie Desjardins. Everyone needs to “earn it,” no matter how arbitrary it may seem. Besides, when Tryamkin left, he was a third-pairing defenceman. I miss him too, but he wasn’t playing like a number one blueliner. It’s all about perspective. Injuries left some terrible players available on the blue line, making Tryamkin stand out a little more.

Next: What to expect from Olli Juolevi next season

As for the front office, I would assume Jim Benning and Trevor Linden are already planning for a future without Tryamkin. If he does return, they can find a way to make room or at the very least trade his rights to another team. In either case, it’s a decision for whoever is the GM when that time comes. For now, the best way to watch Tryamkin is through the World Championships.

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