After two vigorous practices following a 10-day break, the Vancouver Canucks elected to give their players a full day off from on-ice activity on Thursday. Instead, the Canucks held meetings at Rogers Arena, reviewed videos and conducted off-ice workouts.
With the lacrosse floor down at their own rink, the team will fly to Vegas on Friday morning and skate there later in the day before resuming their National Hockey League schedule with a game on Saturday night.
Hughes still not cleared
Assistant coach Adam Foote said Thursday morning that nothing had changed in terms of the playing status of captain Quinn Hughes. The plan, however, is to push Hughes hard on Friday with the hope that he will get the medical clearance necessary to play against the Golden Knights on Saturday.
“Tomorrow will be his second day of contact in practice when we get to Vegas,” Foote explained. “And they’ll go through with the medical staff and do what they do. I’m optimistic, myself, but we’ll see what comes of it. We’ll probably put him in some even hard one on ones in the corner if he’s ready for it and we’ll see.”
Pettersson and Lankinen already skating in Vegas
Foote revealed that the club had lined up practice ice for both Elias Pettersson and Kevin Lankinen in Vegas ahead of the team’s arrival. Both players took part in the 4 Nations Face-Off but have been off since their national teams were eliminated on Monday.
“They had some ice, I believe, today,” Foote said. “They arranged some ice down there for them so I believe they’ve been on the ice already.”
The plan is for both Pettersson and Lankinen to skate with the team on Friday. Rick Tocchet, fresh off Thursday’s 4 Nations finale, is also set to join the team in Vegas on Friday, although he may not participate in practice.
Tolopilo back to Abbotsford
With Lankinen away on international duty and Thatcher Demko injured, the Canucks had both Arturs Silovs and Nikita Tolopilo up from Abbotsford for practices earlier in the week. Silovs will head out on the road with the club and will likely see game action with back-to-backs this weekend and in the middle of next week.
Tolopilo has been returned to Abbotsford and will rejoin the minor league club, which is out on a road trip of its own. Foote said the plan was for other call-ups, Arshdeep Bains and Nils Aman, to remain on the big league roster for the time being.
The Canucks are embarking on a five-game road trip, and while they’re not far from their farm club, it makes sense to have additional bodies at their disposal. That doesn’t mean they won’t swap out the call-ups at some point while on the road. As it stands right now, the Canucks have three goalies, seven defencemen and 13 forwards on their 23-man roster. Noah Juulsen was placed on IR yesterday and Thatched Demko could be designated to the injury list, too, if the team felt it needed the additional roster spot.
Texas-born Myers leaves no doubt who he’s cheering for tonight
Tyler Myers may have been born in Houston, but he’ll be rooting on Team Canada tonight in the Championship Game of the 4 Nations Face-Off. Despite spending the first 10 years of his life in the United States, Myers didn’t hesitate when asked which side he was on for tonight’s big game.
“I consider myself Canadian,” he said with a big grin. “I grew up in Calgary since I was 10 years old. As soon as I was eligible, I have worn the Canadian jersey every single time. I don’t think I’d be here if I’d stayed down in Texas. Hockey just wasn’t as big a thing down there. I don’t think I would have developed like I have to be in a position where I am today. I’ll be cheering for the red tonight.”
Sponsored by bet365
