Canucks minor news: All-Canadian division, Pettersson sings, more
As the holiday season approaches and the NHL inches closer to training camp, here’s the latest news happening around the Vancouver Canucks hockey club.
Opening Christmas presents is just days away, but the ultimate gift for a hockey fan this holiday season is the official announcement of the NHL’s return to action. In the past few days, the NHL and NHLPA managed to come to an agreement on a 56-game regular season, that for the Vancouver Canucks, starts as early as January 3rd.
With the process ramping up so quickly, a lot of little bits of information are starting to flow and the Canucks will have plenty to figure out between now and opening night. Camp invites, roster cuts, opening lineup adjustments, injury updates, COVID-19 restrictions, it all needs to sort itself out soon. Here’s the latest…
COVID-19 and B.C. restrictions
The all-Canadian division is set in stone, but where the Canucks will be playing their games remains a mystery. Certain provinces in Canada that hoist NHL clubs have given the green light, but British Columbia remains stiff on not allowing games to be playing in Vancouver.
The Canucks and the NHL are still working with the province to try and get something done, but players have been notified that they could start the season in Edmonton, somewhere in Alberta, or simply on a long road trip. However, regardless of where the Canucks begin the season, training camp will open up at Vancouver’s Rogers Arena.
As well, if circumstances happen to roll out in a negative favour, the NHL and NHLPA are prepared for an all-Canadian division bubble system that would work just like the 2020 NHL Playoffs. Edmonton stands to be the front-runner if this is to happen.
Players are arriving in Vancouver
A handful of Canucks opted to stay in Vancouver over the offseason to avoid Canada’s 14-day quarantine, but with training camp just 13 days away, players are starting to land in Vancouver.
According to TSN’s Rick Dhaliwal, Olli Juolevi and Nils Hoglander will be in Vancouver today, but as for Micheal Ferland, his camp has remained quiet up to this point.
He also had news on other prospects Kole Lind, Jonah Gadjovich and Will Lockwood. Lind should arrive later this week, Gadjovich will be landing on Wednesday, and Lockwood is already here.
Pettersson can sing too
Is there anything that Elias Pettersson can’t do? The 22-year-old Swede is building his brand this offseason, he’s hitting everything right and he hammered another one out of the park this week.
https://twitter.com/Canucks/status/1341066123479982080
Teaming up with big-time Canucks fan Michael Bublé, the duo sang Christmas songs outside a Vancouver hospice. If that doesn’t warm your heart, I don’t know what will. Honestly, Buble did most of the work but Pettersson was all-in for the holiday cheer.
Jim Benning excited for Canucks’ season
The Canucks’ GM made a statement following the announcement of the 2021 NHL season and it’s got fans excited for what’s to come. Here’s what he had to say about the all-Canadian division.
"“We can’t wait to start the new season. An all-Canadian division will generate competition and rivalries for fans to enjoy. We’re eager to see our young players continue their development and welcome new players on our roster. This is exciting news for our team and for Canucks fans everywhere.”"
Benning couldn’t be more accurate about how exciting an all-Canadian division is going to be and it’s excellent to see him pushing forward with another prospects’ movement. Of course, Travis Green will make the final roster cuts, but it’s going to be a hard-fought training camp with a lot of young guns looking to make a statement and claim a spot.
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The NHL will be back in no time and The Canuck Way is here with all the little details along the way.