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To the surprise of no one, the NHL announced that the Canucks season will continue, with the team scheduled to play 19 games in 31 days between Friday, April 16th and May 16th.
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The schedule makers have rewarded the COVID-riddled Canucks with six back-to-back games along with 11 of their final 13 games on the road.
- If you’re going to read one thing today, read Kent Basky’s latest on the atrocities of the NHL, the NHLPA and the continuation of the Canucks season. [Nucks Misconduct]
- Meanwhile, the Canucks were supposed to go back to practice yesterday, but that was shut down after Jay Beagle was added to the COVID protocol list. Adam Gaudette also became the first player to be removed from the list. [Daily Hive]
- Will any Canucks be dealt prior to the deadline today? Probably not, but one name to watch out for is Jordie Benn. The 33-year-old is one of the only Canucks who hasn’t recently landed on the COVID protocol list.
Ideally, the Canucks would be able to clear some space on defence to see what guys like Olli Juolevi and Brogan Rafferty can do in elevated roles. It probably won’t happen, but it should.
Ben Kuzma recently wrote about Benn, and how he’s no longer a fit to return to Montreal after the Canadiens acquired Jon Merrill from Detroit over the weekend. [The Province]
- Some shameless self promotion here. With the Canucks deadline expecting to be silent, I recently wrote about the 10 best deadline deals and the 10 worst deadline trades in Canucks history.
NHL News
- Something to watch for today because HOCKEY GUYZ LIKE TOUGH BOYS.
There's a strong interest in Erik Gudbranson. He's tough to play against and can help a contender. #Sens
— Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) April 12, 2021
- Taylor Hall and his two goals this season joins the Boston Bruins — who can’t score beyond their top line.
#NHLBruins acquire Taylor Hall and Curtis Lazar from @BuffaloSabres in exchange for Anders Bjork and 2021 2nd-round pick
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) April 12, 2021
Details: https://t.co/16q9uxhdB0 pic.twitter.com/fzcgg3NYRy
I previously mentioned that Anders Bjork made sense as a target in a Jake Virtanen trade. You could basically look at this trade as Hall for a second, and a struggling Bjork for a struggling Lazar. Clearly, Bjork was a guy Boston was looking to offload.
- The Leafs are going for it.
TRADE: We’ve acquired forwards Nick Foligno and Stefan Noesen in a multi-team trade with Columbus and San Jose. #LeafsForever
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) April 11, 2021
Details » https://t.co/wzAiZ35LhO pic.twitter.com/zWriQpHEol
Also, isn’t it nice to see other shrewd teams — like San Jose — getting involved in these trades?
Must be nice.
- One last noteworthy trade from Sunday.
TRADE ALERT : The Penguins have acquired forward Jeff Carter from the Kings in exchange for conditional 2022 third-round and 2023 fourth-round draft picks.
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) April 12, 2021
Details: https://t.co/BKusJTPLA0 pic.twitter.com/sld5HkyYp6
Enjoy the deadline y’all.