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Ahem.
Pucks & players!!
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) September 4, 2019
Handful of #Canucks on the ice for a player skate, including Benn, Pettersson, Beagle, Pearson, Stecher, Edler, Tanev, Ferland, Virtanen, Baertschi, Juolevi, Leivo, Miller, Demko, Biega, Eriksson, Motte & Chatfield. #IsItOctoberYet pic.twitter.com/iEeXJ6deZn
CANUCKS ANNOUNCE GOLDOBIN RE-SIGNING:
OFFICIAL: #Canucks re-sign @NG078 to a one-year contract. https://t.co/ygXmq5qcol
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) September 4, 2019
While it’s not the Brock Boeser signing we’re all waiting for, it is good news that the Canucks have come to terms with the Russian winger. At 900K it’s certainly a good deal for the team, and a chance (hopefully) for Goldy to prove himself and earn a better deal next season. Goldobin put up 7-20-27 in 63 games last season in limited minutes with a massive variety of linemates, and it will be interesting to see if Travis Green gives him a little more stability and a vote of confidence to let Goldy show more of the playmaking he exhibited last season. That is of course, if they get the forward situation cleared up come the start of the season:
#Canucks now have 14 forwards signed to one-way contracts. Just based on the number, Goldobin could be in tough to make the team, but you’d think he’s given himself his best possible shot by agreeing to a deal before camp opens. https://t.co/vxXGtqPcP3
— Thomas Drance (@ThomasDrance) September 4, 2019
JUOLEVI STILL REHABBING:
Ben Kuzma: Rehabbing Juolevi ‘won’t be thrown into fire’ at prospects camp https://t.co/7iWd86MbHv pic.twitter.com/wfcNVoh7r1
— The Province (@theprovince) September 3, 2019
If you were looking forward to getting a good look at Canucks D prospect Olli Juolevi at this year’s Prospects Camp, you’re going to be disappointed. While he’s gotten the OK from team doctors and has been skating since June following his mid-December knee surgery, GM Jim Benning announced that Juolevi’s participation at camp will be minimal. This is a good thing, as a cautious approach is only going to benefit the young Finn, who will likely start the year in Utica and get into game shape before getting a look with the parent club. It does add a new wrinkle to what will be a much different looking defence core than the team started the season with last year (thank dog).
And as is always the case with the Canucks, wait 5 minutes and something will change. Take it away, Kuz:
Benning said Juolevi is now good to go full out at prospects camp, but will revert to rehab status if his surgically repaired right knee causes problems on any given day. #Canucks
— Ben Kuzma (@benkuzma) September 4, 2019
You may have heard about Elias Pettersson showing up in Vancouver “jacked” as the kids say, but he wasn’t the only one doin’ work, apparently. Juolevi will enter camp coming in at 6’3” and 200 lbs. Yes, the D is going to get better, and probably a lot tougher to play against in time.
Also, Benning was asked about the Boeser contract situation and offered this up:
Benning, speaking to the media, said he’s optimistic the #Canucks will sign Boeser and have him at camp next week. “We’re continuing to talk with his agent to figure out a deal.”
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) September 4, 2019
So take a breath, Canucks fans. There’s a lot to be concerned about heading into this season, but you’re really gonna have to pace yourselves. Yes, the money is tight (they’re going to have send Loui Eriksson and Tim Schaller to the minors, and you shouldn’t rule out another move to clear some room (dear lord, please let it be Brandon Sutter)), but they will get a deal done in time.
With the Prospects Camp starting Saturday, all eyes will no doubt be on Quinn Hughes and Juolevi, but there’s a lot of other players that we should be keeping an eye on. Kole Lind, Zack MacEwan, Jett Woo, and Michael DiPietro will definitely be the ones to watch. We’ll have more on this through the weekend in preparation for main camp in Victoria next week.