On this version of the Vancouver Canucks Information & Rumors, J.T. Miller is again skating and will return to the group quickly. Additionally, the Canucks confirmed curiosity in New York Rangers ahead Chris Kreider. Moreover, Filip Hronek can be out for a while and the Canucks will doubtless have to make a commerce in consequence.
Miller Returns to the Ice and Rutherford Shutsdown Commerce Rumors
Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet mentioned Miller has been skating, and the membership has a plan for his return. The ahead took a depart of absence in late November for private causes. The Canucks are getting back from a six-game highway journey the place they posted a 4-1-1 document. They now return residence for a six-game residence stand, and Miller will doubtless make his return to motion sooner or later.
Throughout his depart, there have been rumors of a possible commerce request from the ahead. Nevertheless, the president of hockey operations, Jim Rutherford, shut these rumors down (from ‘Cease the salacious hypothesis about J.T. Miller: Jim Rutherford,’ The Province, December 4, 2024).
“No, we aren’t (buying and selling him),” Rutherford mentioned. “We stand by him.”
Rutherford added that the rumors surrounding the state of affairs are disrespectful. The membership performed properly with out certainly one of their leaders, however his return will doubtless be welcomed by the group, and all of Rogers Area can be chanting his identify.
Canucks Known as on Kreider
The Rangers are struggling to start out this season and are reportedly open to buying and selling Kreider. The Canucks are one of many groups that confirmed curiosity in including the veteran ahead, as reported by Rick Dhaliwal.
“Somebody advised me the Canucks known as the Rangers about Chris Kreider. However my guess is Vancouver might be on Kreider’s no-trade record. He’s obtained a wholesome one, I believe, 15 groups.”
Associated: 7 Canucks Main Them By means of Adversity This Season
Dhaliwal added the Rangers are sending out feelers for each gamers and it’s on the Canucks to determine what it could take to amass Kreider. Though it’s unlikely, including Kreider would supply the Canucks with a stable top-six objective scorer and a 13-year NHL veteran.
Hronek Damage Resulting in Possible Commerce
The Canucks can be with out right-shot defenceman Hronek for eight weeks because the membership positioned him on long-term injured reserve. The defenceman underwent a profitable decrease physique process and won’t require surgical procedure on the higher physique harm he suffered within the membership’s sport towards the Pittsburgh Penguins.
With the blueliner out of the lineup, the Canucks will doubtless look so as to add a defenceman sooner reasonably than later. Dhaliwal mentioned the group continues to be speaking to the Penguins. The Penguins are excited by including Nils Hoglander, whereas the Canucks will doubtless commerce for Marcus Pettersson.
Demko Nearing Return
Miller gained’t be the one large return to the Canucks lineup, as Thatcher Demko is near becoming a member of the group. Demko has been out of motion since injuring his knee in Recreation 1 of the membership’s first-round matchup towards the Nashville Predators within the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Demko mentioned he’s on the level the place he might have a dialogue with Tocchet about backing up between the subsequent three video games.
“I’ll have to speak to Toc at the moment,” Demko mentioned when requested about his standing. “Like I mentioned, it’s been fairly each day, which is nice. We’re sort of out of that week-to-week window now, so it’s been loads of communication with Marko and Toc.”
Demko additionally spoke extremely of Kevin Lankinen’s efficiency in internet all through the beginning of the season. The Finnish goalie has a 12-3-3 document this season and has earned the honour of representing his nation on the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off. Demko mentioned he needs to offer his goalie teammate all of the credit score on this planet for his efficiency.
“I imply, he’s been unbelievable this yr. It’s been actually enjoyable to get to know him and simply be capable of watch him play. It’s a difficult place that he was put in, coming into a brand new group and with the ability to handle the workload that he’s been given. You recognize, I’m managing my expectations a bit of bit. I believe it’d be silly to say that I’m going to come back again and be, , completely sharp and really feel like I’ve my A-game in Recreation 1.
“Clearly, that takes a bit of little bit of time, simply seeing sport reps and issues is sort of a final step of absolutely doing the rehab. So I’m probably not placing an expectation on that. The best way Lanks has performed sort of takes a bit of little bit of strain off of myself to come back in and never really feel like I’ve to avoid wasting the world.”
Canucks Headed to 4 Nations Face-Off
The Canucks have 4 gamers who will participate within the 4 Nations Face-Off. Captain Quinn Hughes and Miller will symbolize Group USA, whereas Elias Pettersson will symbolize Sweden and at last, Lankinen will symbolize Finland.
Brock Boeser is a notable identify omitted of the match, however Group USA has a couple of questionable picks on their group. Tage Thompson and Cole Caufield didn’t make the group, whereas Brock Nelson did. Nevertheless, Boeser nonetheless has an opportunity to make the roster in case of an harm.
