We're heading into what should be a relaxing August long weekend, but I expect we'll keep hearing wild Evander Kane trade talk for the next couple of weeks.

The way I see it, there's no way that any kind of Kane deal can have been settled for one simple reason: Jimmy Vesey.

The prevailing wisdom right now among Sabres fans seems to be that Vesey won't be signing with Buffalo, but we can't be sure until after August 15, when he officially gets the opportunity to speak with other teams.

We saw Steven Stamkos go through his free-agency interview process before ultimately deciding that his best fit was to remain in Tampa Bay. If I was Buffalo general manager Tim Murray, I'd be keeping my fingers crossed that after Vesey hears what his options are in other organizations, maybe Buffalo will still turn out to be the most attractive option.

At this point in the offseason, with Vesey the only significant variable that's still in play, it makes no sense for Murray to make any sort of commitment regarding the assets that he'll get in exchange for Kane. He doesn't know, yet, how his forward group will look.

Meanwhile, on his own roster, Jim Benning is apparently trying to do some damage control.

Been told #Canucks gm Jim Benning called Chris Tanev and his agent this week to shoot down recent trade rumours. #Canucks

— NEWS 1130 Sports (@NEWS1130Sports) July 29, 2016

Benning told the Tanev camp that he doesn't want to trade him but there was also no guarantee made. #Canucks

— NEWS 1130 Sports (@NEWS1130Sports) July 29, 2016

Fair enough. Tanev is a valuable asset but that doesn't mean he can't be moved if the Canucks could bring in something even better in return.

Also, here's an update on the enigma, Anton Rodin.

Rodin has been out 6 months after cutting a tendon above his knee : "I am not 100% but getting close." #Canucks

— NEWS 1130 Sports (@NEWS1130Sports) July 29, 2016

Injuries like this can take a long time to heal. Rodin will be coming to Vancouver next week to get his knee assessed by the Canucks' medical staff.

To wrap up today, a couple of other articles on Canucks players.

Ben Kuzma at the Vancouver Sun has a solid Q&A with Bo Horvat, which includes some impressive quotes from Bo on how to get on the linesmens' good side in the faceoff circle.

“I’m getting respect, and I know the majority of them say hi and you try to stay on their nice side so they give you a little bit on an advantage,” said Horvat, laughing.

“That relationship is pretty important; linesmen are more worried about where you put your stick at the beginning, and your feet are the most important thing. They get pretty frustrated when you try to cheat and try to get that leverage over guys.”

Also, click here for a good piece from Brian Compton of NHL.com about Emerson Etem. The right wing has been in Vancouver all summer and is looking forward to marching in this weekend's Pride Parade.

And to wrap up today, it's a 2011 Canucks reunion in the Big Apple this fall, as Alain Vigneault and Max Lapierre try to rekindle their old magic.

Now official, Maxim Lapierre will be at the #rangers training camp on a tryout. #tvasports

— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) July 27, 2016

At 31, Lapierre might still have some NHL game.

Will Chris Higgins be next? He is a native New Yorker, after all...

Enjoy the long weekend! Unless something big happens, I'm going to take a couple of days away and will plan to check back in on Monday.

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