The Vancouver Canucks are coping with some goaltending well being points as we head in the direction of the beginning of coaching. They’re monitoring the goaltender market and may very well be trying to convey somebody in on a PTO.
Sportsnet 650: Iain MacIntyre on the Vancouver Canucks goaltending scenario. They could be trying to convey somebody in on a PTO over a contract. Antti Raanta is one potential choice that may very well be thought-about.
** NHLRumors.com transcription
Dan Riccio: “However I did need to ask you about your, your follow-up on Rick Dhaliwal’s report right here that you just simply tweeted out @iMacSportsnet commenting on Demko as he will get to skating. No preseason deadlines right here for Demko to get again into full motion, but additionally that the Canucks could also be sniffing round Annti Raanta as a possible PTO candidate?”
MacIntyre: “Yeah, yeah. I imply, they’ve kicked the tires on Raanta. As, and I believe they’ve most likely kicked the tires on, on a bunch of men that whose names haven’t surfaced. You understand, Raanta makes some, I suppose, linear sense, if, if, if you concentrate on his cease in Arizona with Rick Tocchet as effectively.
However I additionally need to make the purpose, as a result of I heard what you stated Dan, simply earlier than the break, the place you have been speaking about this final season being as poorest, which it actually was. However it’s important to keep in mind, within the context of what we’re discussing now, and what’s, I’m certain going to proceed to be mentioned on this market about goaltending well being is, the Canucks usually are not searching for a man to be within the high two this 12 months.
They’re trying strictly for depth. For some insurance coverage. PTO is the least pricey type of insurance coverage since you get one other physique for coaching camp. You get one other particular person to take some workload through the preseason video games, if you happen to want anyone to take some workload. And, and if it, if you happen to’re bringing in anyone on a PTO, you’re going to provide them present them sufficient respect to provide them an opportunity to earn a contract. However that’s what that’s what they’re searching for.
In the event that they do signal anyone to an precise contract, it’s not going to be to come back in and change Arturs Silvos, or change for an prolonged interval Thatcher Demko.
The, the group’s plan, and so they’re very assured on this, is nonetheless lengthy it takes for for Demko to be prepared. And he could also be prepared for the season over, perhaps he received’t be. Who is aware of, perhaps he performs within the preseason. You understand, the actual fact he’s on the ice now six weeks forward of the beginning of the common season is an excellent signal.
However no matter what his timeline is, no person envisions it going deep into the common season the place they’re going to wish to usher in one other established goalie.
And, and one factor to recollect as effectively, the benefit of the PTO is it provides them quite a lot of flexibility. The workforce doesn’t need to need to tackle one other contract that, that it’s obtained to handle underneath the wage cap. And I do know they’ve a number of, a number of gamers who can play in Abbotsford, and also you, you possibly can bury the complete weight of their contract. It’s not going to value them.
However they, they haven’t had any semblance of cap flexibility in years, and if potential, they need to keep out of LTIR to begin the season. Now, perhaps that’s wishful considering. We’ll see the way it goes, however that’s their that’s their goal, to provide themselves some flexibility going into the season.”