The National Hockey League is back and the first day of training camp has now come and gone for the Vancouver Canucks. Here is everything that happened.
It’s happening. The Vancouver Canucks are back! The second training camp of the season is officially underway and The Canuck Way has you covered with everything considered to be a “must-know”. Let’s get after it!
Brock Boeser rumours shot down
Brock Boeser returned to camp with something to prove. The 23-year-old sniper has been the subject to swirling trade rumours inside the Vancouver market the past few days, but everybody needs to pump the brakes. Jim Benning was quick to speak with both the media and Boeser himself about the ridiculous rumours reassuring everyone that the club’s best shooter is here to stay.
"“We’ve been happy with him since we drafted him, since we signed him, since he’s played, you know, pro for us. He’s been a good player so I don’t know where this stuff comes from, but I have no intention of trading Brock Boeser.”"
Boeser was quick to tell the media he wasn’t happy about the rumours either. In a time where trading players isn’t even possible, talking about moving out star players is a touch off base. But you know the Vancouver hockey world is a crazy place and even though playoffs are right around the corner, you always have to expect the unexpected.
However, fans of Boeser can breathe a big sigh of relief. The team GM likes what he sees in the right-winger and he knows natural scoring talent is hard to come by. And even though Boeser might not like the timing of it all, he can sleep easy now knowing that Benning has his back. Let’s focus on winning the Stanley Cup, yes?
Micheal Ferland out/Zack MacEwen in
After an extended period of time away from the game, people were expecting Micheal Ferland to return to form and be ready to help the Canucks in their quest for playoff glory. Instead, Ferland and the rest of Canucks Nation got a big wake up call. The power-forward was announced unfit to play, and the club didn’t have much more to say beyond that.
“Unfit to play” will be a term used across the league for the entire duration of these NHL Playoffs making it impossible to know the real issue that’s keeping Ferland on the sidelines. Is it lingering concussion problems? Does he have COVID-19? Nobody knows but Ferland and the Canucks.
"“I would say no to that. He’ll be back at some point. It’s more safety than anything else, but I can’t expand on that.”"
It’s good the team is taking the right approach, but who knows what to believe at this point. The Canucks have been pretty tight-lipped with injuries all year long, and this gives the team an easier way to cover up what may or may not be happening with Ferland. Either way, it’s not the best start. Hopefully, he’s back sooner than later.
On a positive note, Zack MacEwen was back with the team and skating in place of Ferland. Looking hungry and happy to be back, MacEwen took turns skating with Tanner Pearson and Bo Horvat on line two.
Olli Juolevi and Brogan Rafferty look good
The Canucks list of black aces took to the ice after the main roster had their first day of fun. Standing out on the blueline was the pairing of Brogan Rafferty and Olli Juolevi, the Canucks two best prospects on defense.
After Rafferty failed to see NHL ice all season long, it wasn’t exactly surprising to not see the offensive-minded defender with the big club earlier in the day, but having him paired with Juolevi will push them both to do better.
As for the Finnish five-year prospect, it was all thumbs up. He gets time to hang with the real pros, and he looked good on the ice yesterday. He wasn’t pushed to do the bag skate like last year, but everything about camp has benefited him so far.