I'll start off today with a quick look at what lies ahead for the Vancouver Canucks this week.
First off, the prospects will wrap up their Young Stars tournament in Penticton. The kids were on the ice this morning, then will take on the Calgary Flames at 3:30 p.m.
Once again, the game will be livestreamed at Canucks.com, CalgaryFlames.com and on Sportsnet.ca.
Full points to the tech crew that has been handling the broadcasts this weekend. The commentary can get a bit contradictory with one announcer from each team sharing space in the press box, but the streaming has worked well, the video has been crisp, and the replays of the big moments have been coming quickly and accurately.
Since the Canucks are on their third game in four days and coming off a back-to-back after their 4-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday, will they sit out some of their top players today?
Jason Botchford of The Province thinks Jake Virtanen has done enough to earn himself a day off.
We do know that Sam Bennett won't be in uniform for the Flames. Two top prospects, winger Morgan Klimchuk and defenseman Oliver Kylington, missed Saturday's loss to Edmonton with minor injuries but could be ready to play today.
Goaltender Jon Gillies will get the start for Calgary and is expected to play two periods. He was excellent in the Flames tournament-opening win over Winnipeg on Friday.
For the Canucks, Clay Witt and Jackson Whistle are expected to split the goaltending duties.
The Canucks and Flames wrap up the prospects tournament after the Oilers and Jets kick off Monday's festivities with an 11:30 game. Connor McDavid is sitting out again, so his only game of the tournament came against the Canucks—when he got rocked by Jake Virtanen.
The Oilers say McDavid's fine and will suit up against the University of Alberta Golden Bears on Wednesday, and Darnell Nurse has also been given the day off after impressing in the first two games.
The news is not so good for tough winger Mitch Moroz, who stepped up to defend McDavid's honour on Friday:
Winger Mitch Moroz hurt his left hand in fight with Canucks' prospect MacKenzie Stewart Friday and will be out at least 2 weeks.#EJLive
— Jim Matheson (@NHLbyMatty) September 13, 2015After the Canucks wrap up today, it's back to Vancouver for fitness testing on Thursday—which is like Christmas for Henrik "I love testing" Sedin. Then, the team will open training camp on Friday in Prince George.
Click here for the rundown of events, and ticket availability.
Click here to take a look at the training camp roster—which does not yet include any of the players participating in Young Stars. I'm sure they'll be added in the coming days.
Jim Benning Predicts 100 Points
Looking around at the experts' preseason predictions, you won't find very many experts pegging the 2015-16 Vancouver Canucks to make the playoffs.
We heard the same song last year—which had some justification considering the team was coming off a 25rd-place finish in 2013-14 and had made wholesale changes in the offseason.
Jim Benning doesn't care what the experts think. Speaking with TSN's Bob McKenzie in Penticton, the Canucks' general manager is expecting another 100-point season for his team.
Good morning, Vancouver, here's @TSNBobMcKenzie's 1-on-1 with @VanCanucks GM Jim Benning. http://t.co/lrwKaDgBP2 pic.twitter.com/XrPMbbug8Z
— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) September 14, 2015Benning says "We're going to have some young players come in this year and make our team. We're going to be a faster team, a harder team to play against this year," according to The Score.
He also remains confident in his key veterans, the Sedins and Ryan Miller.
If you don't have 20 minutes to watch the whole interview, Thomas Drance offers a summary of some other important points here, at Canucks Army.
As opposed to last year, when Benning seemed to have a lot of player roles pre-set before training camp even began, even the veterans will be expected to earn their spots this year. Benning's not committing to a right-winger for the twins, a specific role for Bo Horvat or even a clear top four among his defensemen.
Benning also spent some time with Matt Sekeres this morning on TSN1040.
If you missed @VanCanucks GM Jim Benning today on #TSN1040, hear Benning here: http://t.co/CicJp1N7VA
— TSN Radio Vancouver (@TSN1040) September 14, 2015Probably the most important takeaway from that interview:
Benning prepared to cut bait with a veteran if a young player has a terrific camp and earns a spot that wasn't expected. #Canucks
— Matthew Sekeres (@mattsekeres) September 14, 2015Benning has been consistently enthusiastic about the idea of bringing in young players and the team's talking points in recent months seem to have moved away from taking time for development.
The door is certainly open for Jake Virtanen to follow in Bo Horvat's footsteps:
Benning on Virtanen: He's big, he's fast. You see his hands. If we handle him properly, he's going to be a true power forward in every sense
— TSN Radio Vancouver (@TSN1040) September 14, 2015Even Jared McCann could get a long look:
Benning on McCann: needs to get stronger, but one of more skilled young players in system. Won't rush, but not out of question he makes team
— Matthew Sekeres (@mattsekeres) September 14, 2015McCann played much better on Sunday against Winnipeg, and showed off an NHL-level shot on his first goal in a Canucks uniform.
I like his enthusiasm—posting the video on his Instagram!
I think the hug for the ref after the goal was more of an accident than anything else but hey—considering all the bad blood the Canucks have built up over the years with NHL officials, maybe this is a first step towards a more congenial relationship going forward?