On the Vancouver Canucks …
Ben Kuzma of the Vancouver Province: Canucks training camp opens in three weeks and they are still looking for an impact left winger.
GM Jim Benning is confident that Sven Baertschi can build on last season, and that Anton Rodin will be ready for training camp.
The Canucks were 29th in scoring and 27th on the power play last season, which is why Benning is still looking to make a move.
Acquiring a left winger could cost them Bo Horvat, Chris Tanev or a draft pick.
They have $3.5 million in salary cap space and didn’t see Jiri Hudler (one-year, $2 million with the Stars) as a fit.
“I’m going to keep having conversations to see if we can improve in the age group we’re talking about with our younger players,” said Benning. “Nothing has come up so far that has made sense.”
The Buffalo Sabres could make Evander Kane and his off-ice issues available.
The Canucks are expected to bring some players in on PTOs.
On the Boston Bruins …
Joe Haggerty of CSNNE: Bruins forward Brad Marchand is heading into the final year of his contract. The 28-year would be an unrestricted free agent after the season.
Marchand wouldn’t say much about his contract situation. His agent is talking with the Bruins. He’d like to remain with the team and play on Patrice Bergeron‘s wing for a long time.
“This is an incredible organization, and one that we’re all very fortunate to be a part of,” said Marchand, who would only say his agent and the Bruins “are talking” and that he hoped they ‘could figure something out.’ “It would be great to be here my whole career, and you see how rare that is nowadays. It doesn’t happen often, so that would be incredible. But a lot of things have to line up in order for that to happen not only now, but down the road. So, we’ll play it year-by-year. I’m really excited about the upcoming season and what is ahead. I think we’ve got a couple of new additions that are really going to help our team.
Marchard should expect to get a contract bigger than the one Loui Eriksson got from the Canucks – six years and $36 million. He could be in the range of Bobby Ryan and Zach Parise – $7 million to $7.5 million.
It would make sense for the Bruins and Marchand to get a deal done after the World Cup of Hockey and before the start of the season.