Scenes from practice: Myers missing as Canucks skated ahead of quick trip to Seattle
All eyes were on whether Tyler Myers would join the Vancouver Canucks for practice on Friday afternoon at Rogers Arena. The answer, as it turned out, was no. The big defenceman in the midst of lingering trade discussions was the only player missing as the team skated for about 45 minutes before flying to Seattle for Saturday’s game against the Kraken.What we saw
as noon #Canucks practice begins, no Tyler Myers on the ice at Rogers Arena. Everyone else accounted for
In the minutes leading up to the noon practice, Myers, Evander Kane, Teddy Blueger and David Kämpf were all missing. And it seemed like perhaps the four names most connected to next Friday’s NHL Trade Deadline would all be absent. But one by one, Kämpf, followed by Blueger, followed by Kane, made their way out onto the ice to join their teammates.
Following practice, head coach Adam Foote revealed that Myers had skated on his own early on Friday morning and that the veteran blueliner would be accompanying the team to the Emerald City. However, Foote said at the moment the plan is for Myers to once again be held out of game action for asset protection reasons.
As for the on-ice session itself, the Canucks skated in the same line combinations and defensive pairings they used in Wednesday’s 3-2 overtime loss to the Winnipeg Jets. So it looks like there will be no changes to the skaters ahead of the matchup with the Kraken. Foote did not tip his hand, but it won’t be a surprise if Kevin Lankinen gets the start in goal on Saturday. Lankinen did not play for Finland at the Olympics and had not seen game action of any kind since a 5-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on February 4.
#Canucks at practice Friday
Kane-EP40-DeBrusk
Öhgren-Blueger-Garland
O’Connor-Rossi-Boeser
Höglander-Kämpf-Karlsson
(Sasson-Räty)
EP25-Hronek
MP29-Willander
Buium-Joseph
Ahead of their full group session, the Canucks top power play unit spent time working at one end of the ice. The Canucks are rolling with Filip Hronek at the point with forwards Brock Boeser, Elias Pettersson, Jake DeBrusk and Marco Rossi. The power play did not convert on its lone opportunity against the Jets and is now just 1-for-22 (4.5%) over the past 11 games.
Both games against Seattle this season have been settled in a shootout. The Canucks 3-2 win at Climate Pledge Arena on December 29 was the team’s last road victory.
What we heard
Adam Foote on the patience required for guys like Aatu Räty to Max Sasson while the roster sorts itself out by the trade deadline: “It is what it is. There are always going to be guys fighting to get in or guys fighting for a full time job. There are so many different variables with injuries and things like that. They’ve got great attitudes. I look at Räty, I was so happy with his practice today. He was moving. He’s coachable. And he’ll be ready when he gets his opportunity.”
Brock Boeser on hearing his name in trade talk again: “That shocked me when I was getting texts about it yesterday. But it’s not a trade deadline if my name’s not in there. I don’t know at this point. I’ve committed to be here. You see what’s going on and we’re rebuilding, but I feel like I can be a leader and show the guys the right way – what you need to do in the gym and what you need to do on the ice and the way you need to play. And these young guys need to mature as they get older and older and learn to play the right way.”
Boeser on whether there will be relief when the deadline passes: “Yeah, a hundred percent. Definitely can’t wait for it to be over.”
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