The Vancouver Canucks begin their 2024 National Hockey League preseason tonight against the Seattle Kraken at Rogers Arena.
The Canucks will ice a lineup that features veterans Brock Boeser, Filip Hronek and Tyler Myers while Vancouver hockey fans will get their first look at Jonathan Lekkerimaki among other newcomers.
What we saw
Tuesday morning skate #Canucks lines
Boeser. Suter. Lekkerimäki.
Höglander. Räty. Garland.
Heinen. Åman. Karlsson.
Alriksson. Sasson. Blais.
Pettersson. Hronek.
Wolanin. Myers.
Forbort. Friedman.
Šilovs.
Young.@Sportsnet650 pic.twitter.com/FaqfdAoHDU
— Brendan Batchelor (@BatchHockey) September 24, 2024
Despite team social posts over the weekend showing JT Miller in the lineup tonight, he will not play. Rick Tocchet said Miller was among the fitness testing leaders in camp and understands he doesn’t need to play many preseason games to be ready for the start of the schedule.
Aaty Raty gets a solid opportunity tonight to centre Nils Höglander and Conor Garland. That trio skated together throughout training camp and all three were name-checked by Tocchet in Penticton for the way they performed.
Sammy Blais, in camp on a professional tryout, will continue his quest to earn an NHL contract tonight. While junior age forward Vilmer Alriksson gets his first chance to appearn in an NHL preseason contest.
With a mix of veterans and prospects, the Canucks will show different looks on their power plays tonight. The first unit at morning skate consisted of Boeser, Lekkerimaki, Pius Suter, Danton Heinen and Filip Hronek. Look for Boeser to take face-offs on his strong side tonight. The second unit consists of Hõglander, Garland, Raty, Linus Karlsson and Christian Wolanin.
Tocchet said his plan is for Arturs Silovs to go the distance in goal tonight. Ty Young will serve as his back-up.
Kevin Lankinen, signed by the Canucks on Saturday, skated with his new teammates for the first time this morning. He was part of the non-playing group that took the ice at Rogers Arena. Teddy Blueger, who skated sporadically and in a non-contact jersey during training camp in Penticton, has been cleared to rejoin the group and took part in the second session of the day.
Lankinen’s first skate with #Canucks pic.twitter.com/epine8ZIB7
— Jeff Paterson (@patersonjeff) September 24, 2024
The Kraken opened their preseason on Sunday with a 6-1 loss at home to Calgary. 18-year-old Nathan Villeneuve scored Seattle’s lone goal early in the third period to cut into the Flames 4-0 lead. Philipp Grubauer allowed four goals on 19 shots in two periods of play. Ales Stezka came on to start the third period and surrendered two goals on eight shots in relief.
The Canucks play five games in seven nights to open a busy preseason. They’ll face Calgary in Abbotsford tomorrow night. The Canucks and Kraken will meet again on Friday night at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle.
What we heard
Rick Tocchet on what he’s looking for tonight: “A lot of energy. A day off yesterday helps. The whole camp was four straight days of skating. I’m just looking for the stuff we practiced in the game tonight. Use those elements.”
Tocchet on opportunity for Aaty Raty: “He had a good year last year, but I see another level. He looks fast out there with his skating. And every drill he does, he goes a hundred percent. Even in the morning skate, I told him to slow down a bit to save it for tonight. I like that attitude from a young kid. He’s trying to make the team.”
Aatu Räty on chance to play with Höglander and Garland: “I thought training camp went well. I thought our line was really good. We were making tape to tape passes. I thought we were ready at all times. I think we’ve found some good chemistry through camp and I’m really excited.”
Danton Heinen on skating with Nils Aman and Linus Karlsson tonight after spending camp with Boeser and Miller: “I’ve been to enough of these (camps) where you can’t read into the lines. For me, I just try to go day by day and that’s the way I approach things. Whoever you’re playing with, you’re playing with good players.There’s a reason everyone is here.”
Sponsored by bet365