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A long, disappointing season draws to a close for the Vancouver Canucks this Saturday. That means you have only four more chances to watch Canucks hockey until the fall. In many ways, the real excitement will begin only when the playoffs are over. But there will be plenty of time for rosterbation, hot stove discussions and idle rumors. For this one final week, the game's the thing.
Canucks were back at practice this morning nursing a new set of injuries. Linden Vey, Sven Baertschi and Chris Higgins were all missing this morning, and it's likely that all are three are done for the season. Line rushes went like this:
Sedin-Sedin-Hansen
— Vancouver Canucks (@VanCanucks) April 3, 2016
Dorsett-Horvat-Etem
McCann-Granlund-Virtanen
Pedan-Gaunce-Burrows
Hamhuis-Tanev
Hutton-Tryamkin
Bartkowski-Biega
That's not a misprint. Andrey Pedan is once again slotted in at forward. Willie Desjardins seems to like Pedan's versatility, though I suspect next year, Pedan will be a full-time defenceman.
1/2 #Canucks Desjardins saying that part of the jobs avail may include a utility guy that can play F/D considering Utica is so far..
— Jon Abbott (@HockeyAbbs) April 3, 2016
2/2 sounds like #Canucks like Pedan as a forward option and could be a guy that plays as 7th defenceman that can do both next year #TSN1040
— Jon Abbott (@HockeyAbbs) April 3, 2016
Desjardins on Pedan as D/LW: "It gives you more of a chance to stay with us if you can do both. He’s auditioning a bit for that." #Canucks
— Ben Kuzma (@benkuzma) April 3, 2016
According the Jeff Paterson this morning, the Canucks will bring the translator back after Nikita Tryamkin's 10th NHL game on Tuesday. Meanwhile Ben Kuzma made note of strides Tryamkin has taken in the short time he has been in Vancouver.
Tryamkin actually led rushes in end-to-end skating drills before fading a bit. Fitness level has obviously improved. #Canucks
— Ben Kuzma (@benkuzma) April 3, 2016
Links from around the league:
From bad to worse for Tampa Bay, with Steve Stamkos out now Jonathan Drouin is hurt and unable to be recalled.
Pavel Datsyuk's agent didn't exactly quash rumors that Datsyuk might head home to Russia at the end of the season.
Team Canada's winning streak at the IPC Pan-Pacific Championship sledge hockey tournament ended in the gold medal game. Canada lost to the United States 4-1.
Lumby, BC is Kraft Hockeyville 2016. For some reason, though, the NHL is punishing the town by sending them the Edmonton Oilers in the preseason. Poor Lumby. The Oilers will play the Los Angeles Kings.
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun say changes are coming to the Senators. Apparently the owner is under the delusion the Ottawa Senators should have made the playoffs.
Ok, people. As you may know, NHL.com is encouraging people to fill out a playoff bracket this year. Pick winners of all the playoff series and have a shot at winning Samsung electronics. As they are letting people create private leagues, I created one called 'Nucks Misconduct'. Visit http://bracketchallenge.nhl.com/, sign in to your NHL.com. Search for a league called 'Nucks Misconduct' and enter the password Bracket0l0gy. Alternately, send me an email at thospratt@gmail.com and I'll send you an invite.