NHL Daily: World Cup, Canucks Trade Rumors, J.T. Brown
By Ryan Ritchie
NHL Daily: World Cup, Trade Rumors, J.T. Brown, John Tavares, and More (Morning Coffee Headlines)
Grab your morning cup of coffee and join us here at PuckProse for a compilation of NHL daily links that will help keep you updated with everything going on in the hockey world.
In today’s edition, we explore the early chemistry giving Vancouver Canucks fans optimism for the upcoming season. Looking for under the radar players who could surprise at the World Cup of Hockey? We’ve got you covered. We also feature stories about John Tavares, J.T. Brown, Canucks trade rumors, Derrick Pouliot, and of course, 9/11.
NHL Daily: Morning Coffee Headlines
Sustained Chemistry For Eriksson and Sedin Twins
Vancouver Canucks fans are feeling a little better about their $36 million dollar investment ($6 million x six years) after Loui Eriksson and the Sedin Twins got off to a hot start at the World Cup of Hockey. The Canucks are hoping to “kill two birds with one stone” by addressing a longtime hole on that top line while at the same time improving the team’s power play unit. [The Canuck Way]
Under the Radar Performances at the World Cup of Hockey
Featured Columnist Lyle Richardson of Bleacher Report released his list of eight under the radar players that he believes can surprise at the World Cup of Hockey.
It’s difficult to argue with any of the selections and definitely worth reading as he offers some insightful opinion. [Bleacher Report]
Osgood, Shanahan Inducted Into Michigan Sports Hall of Fame
Both Chris Osgood and Brendan Shanahan played integral roles in Detroit’s Stanley Cup Championship’s back in 1997, 1998, and 2002. The pair were recognized on Friday night when they were inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame [Octopus Thrower]
Related Story: World Cup of Hockey Opens Door to Future Hockey
Canucks Trade Rumors
Trade rumors continue to link Vancouver to multiple impact forwards, including names such as Patrick Marleau and Gabriel Landeskog. Would the Canucks be willing to pay a hefty price (likely Chris Tanev) to acquire the Avs young captain? Let’s call any trade involving Tanev unlikely as it would make little sense for Vancouver.
If GM Jim Benning could find a trade partner for Alex Edler, that’s when things would get interesting. [Digital Journal]
Derrick Pouliot Looking For Better Season
(Quote via Today’s Slapshot) “[Last year] didn’t go the way I wanted,” Pouliot said after an informal workout Friday at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex, via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
“The year didn’t start out how I would’ve liked, but it definitely taught me something. You have to be ready right from the get-go.”
Pouliot will need a good year with expansion quickly approaching. As it stands, the Penguins will definitely protect Kris Letang and Olli Maatta. If they can only save one more defender, the choice is between Brian Dumoulin and Derrick Pouliot. It’s a situation that could get very interesting if the Pens top defensive prospect finally emerges on the blue line. [Today’s Slapshot]
Lightning F J.T. Brown Expands on Tortorella Comments
Tampa Bay Lightning F J.T. Brown took some harsh criticism on social media this week after he took an exception to Team USA coach John Tortorella’s comments regarding what he’d do if one of his players took a Colin Kaepernick approach to the national anthem. Brown expanded on those original comments to further explain his stance. [Bolts By The Bay]
Expectations for John Tavares in 2016-17
Free agent additions Andrew Ladd and P.A. Parenteau are expected to play alongside New York Islanders superstar John Tavares. Coming off a down year (by superstar standards – 70 points is nothing to complain about), Johnny T is hoping for a little more stability with linemates in 2016-17. [Eyes on Isles]
Related Story: World Cup of Hockey Tournament Predictions
A Day That Changed the World
We couldn’t let this day pass without mentioning the horrible tragedy which took place 15 years ago. Thousands of innocent lives were lost on 9/11 and that list included six sports figures.
Two hockey players were among the list:
Mark Bavis was one of the passengers on United Airlines Flight 175. He was a 9th round selection of the NY Rangers back in 1989. After concluding four years at Boston University, Bavis spent the next three years splitting time between the AHL/ECHL. He served as the LA Kings U.S. Amateur Scout in 1999-2000 and 2000-2001.
Garnet “Ace” Bailey was aboard the same flight as Bavis and served as the LA Kings Director of Professional Scouting (a role he had been in since 1994-95). Bailey was also a longtime former scout for the Edmonton Oilers and 10-year NHL veteran. He had a single season career-high of 58 points in 1974-75 between St.Louis (49 games) and Washington (22 games). Garnet Bailey was a two-time Stanley Cup Champion in 1969-70 and 1971-72. [Liberty Voice]
NHL Daily Morning Rant
First of all, may we never forget the horrible events which transpired 15 years ago today.
In response to the performance of Loui Eriksson and the Sedin Twins. This should come as little surprise given their past chemistry, but it’s certainly an encouraging sign that Eriksson will be a good fit in Western Canada.
Speaking of the Canucks, those rumors won’t seem to go away. Putting on my GM hat to play the role of GM Jim Benning, I’d consider calling to inquire into the potential availability of players such as: Rickard Rakell (ANA), Tobias Rieder (ARZ), Ryan Spooner (BOS), Tomas Tatar (DET), Adam Henrique (NJ), Tommy Wingels (SJ), or Marcus Johansson (WSH)
Next: Fantasy Hockey Primer: Projections, 30-Team Analysis
The last piece I’ll comment on is expectations for John Tavares. If his linemates are indeed Ladd and Parenteau for the majority of 2016-17, a 70-75 point range is a safe projection. It may however increase if emerging young players eventually find their way to the top line (i.e. Ryan Strome). If the even less likely should occur where Michael Dal Colle or Mathew Barzal crack the NHL roster, Johnny T could finally have his future linemates.