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Vancouver Canucks Sign Defenceman Jordan Subban, Updates from Prague |
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Greetings, Canucks fans!
I have probably had the equivalent of one normal night's sleep since I left Vancouver on Sunday and woke up with no voice this morning after a media dinner at a Franciscan Monastery in old town Prague, but I'm sitting in the arena right now and got to watch every Czech fan in the rink bounce up and down, chanting in unison, when they went up 3-2 on the power play late in the second period against Finland.
Dan Hamhuis and Team Canada will face the winner of this Czech Republic/Finland in one semifinal on Saturday after the Canadians throttled Belarus 9-0 in the early game, while Nick Bonino and Team USA will now be traveling here to Prague from Ostrava after their win over Switzerland today.
The Americans will face Team Russia, which beat Sweden 5-3. And Alexander Ovechkin is flying over (probably much more comfortably than I did) to join the Russians for the final games.
My mind is already boggling. It'd be pretty great to see Sid vs. Ovi in the gold medal game on Sunday, if that's how it shakes down...
In case you missed it, my Sidney Crosby story for the Canadian Press ran in a bunch of print and online outlets—sometimes with my byline, sometimes without.
I caught up with Crosby after practice yesterday and I have to say—given his reputation for not being the most scintillating interview in hockey, I felt he was quite generous with me.
I've also been really impressed with coach Todd McLellan. Remember when I was hoping the Sharks would fire him last year so that he could join the Canucks' coaching derby.
McLellan is terrific with the media, giving substantial, informative soundbites. Listening to the players—and watching their determination on the ice—it's also crystal-clear that McLellan is delivering a clear team-first message, and the players are buying in.
It's no accident that the Canadians got their first goal at the 27 second mark of the first period today. McLellan has been working hard to make sure that his team doesn't get in another early hole like they did against Sweden and his team delivered for him tonight.
Now that McLellan has pushed Canada past the dreaded quarter-final round, his stock will go up by the day until he signs with his new NHL team. Edmonton?
Whoever gets him will be lucky to have him.
I'm also happy for TSN that the tournament is delivering such great intrigue and tremendous hockey after they went all-in with their coverage this year.
The NHL playoff games have been falling in the small windows of time when I have been sleeping. Have they been entertaining, at least?
I keep hoping to get a bit more caught up about what's happening on the NHL side. Friday is a day off here in Prague, but I'll be coming to Canada's practice - at the very least - and may have more writing to do.
But I just found some big news in my inbox, so let's talk about this:
Deep breaths, everyone. Subban is signed to his entry-level deal with more than two weeks to spare before the deadline!
Subban's happy and on board:
With something new for you to discuss, I'll leave it there for now.
This game in front of me is tied 3/3 with seven minutes left in the third. Win or lose, there's a big finish ahead!
Vancouver Canucks Blogger • 
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