Canucks could look for new homes for Goldobin and Hutton
JD Burke of The Athletic: Nikolay Goldobin got his shot last season in the Vancouver Canucks top-six because of Sven Baertschi‘s injury. Now that Baertschi is healthy, and after a few free agent signings, if Goldobin isn’t able to crack their top-six, there may not be room for him.
Goldobin requires waivers this season and could be claimed if the Canucks place him on it. GM Jim Benning could look to trade him if he’s not going to make the team and if they don’t want to risk it putting him on waivers.
JD Burke of The Athletic: Vancouver Canucks defenseman Ben Hutton fell out of favor with head coach Travis Green last season.
The Canucks have been trying to trade for a while now but haven’t found a willing trade partner. Hutton could remain with the Canucks and be either their sixth or seventh defenseman.
Looking like Drouin will be the Canadiens top center this season
Pat Hickey Montreal Gazette: With the Montreal Canadiens not being able to bring in a top center and the trading of Alex Galchenyuk, and despite management and coaches wondering at times if he’s better suited for the wing, it’s looking like Jonathan Drouin will be their top center this season.
“It looks that way for sure,” Drouin replied when asked whether he would be playing centre. “I don’t make those decisions, but that’s where I played last year and I feel comfortable coming in this year and knowing that I’m playing centre.”
Drouin said he’s in better shape now compared this time last year and is better prepared to be a centerman.