The Canucks held coaching camp in Sweden in 2000, however have not been again regardless of having quite a lot of notable Swedes on the roster.
Article content material
The NHL is returning to Sweden, and it’s a bit odd the Vancouver Canucks aren’t there.
Commercial 2
Article content material
Instinctually, you understand they’re a workforce filled with Swedes: their celebrity is Swedish, they’ve two Corridor of Famers who hail from Sweden, a complete pile of workforce legends are Swedish. Heck, they’ve a Swedish common supervisor.
Article content material
And so they match the NHL’s standards for taking part in within the league’s International Collection, which has groups in Sweden later this week, but additionally took groups to Australia in September.
So why are the Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Crimson Wings, Ottawa Senators and Minnesota Wild in Stockholm, however not the Vancouver Canucks?
A workforce spokesperson confirmed to Postmedia that the workforce hasn’t been concerned in talks for any future NHL occasions.
President of hockey operations Jim Rutherford instructed Postmedia that he wouldn’t be against the thought, although.
Canucks Report
Article content material
Commercial 3
Article content material
“It might be enjoyable although, and I might be in favour of it,” he mentioned.
The Canucks actually would appear to suit the NHL’s standards.
“The NHL International Collection video games are a chance for the league to attach with our worldwide followers by bringing the joy of NHL video games to their nation. We all know that fandom is pushed by native gamers, so one of many major concerns when selecting golf equipment to take part is the roster make-up of the workforce,” NHL spokesperson Chloe Bleyer defined in an electronic mail earlier this week.
“For this yr’s occasion, it was essential to pick out golf equipment that at present have Swedish gamers on the workforce or a historical past of notable Swedes who’ve performed for them.”
That final sentence is fairly clear. And it’s one the Canucks match to a T.
Commercial 4
Article content material
The Leafs have William Nylander on the workforce now, and Mats Sundin and Börje Salming of their previous.
The Detroit Crimson Wings have Lucas Raymond on the workforce now, and Nicklas Lidstrom of their previous.
These two groups match the standards completely.
The Ottawa Senators have Daniel Alfredsson of their previous. Their present squad options Anton Forsberg, Erik Brannstrom and Jacob Larsson. Not precisely stars, however at the least they’re Swedes.
The Minnesota Wild have Jonas Brodin, Joel Eriksson Ek and Marcus Johansson on their present squad, however no actual historical past of Swedes on the roster.
It’s the Wild’s inclusion over the Canucks that’s a bit head-scratching.
How does the Wild’s assortment of Swedes examine to an inventory that features Elias Pettersson, the Sedin twins, Markus Näslund, Mattias Öhlund and Thomas Gradin? Heck, the Canucks have the primary Swedish common supervisor in NHL historical past.
Commercial 5
Article content material
On the face of it, the actual fact the Canucks haven’t been included by the NHL is actually fairly stunning.
The workforce has a historical past of being tapped by the NHL for abroad affairs.
The Canucks performed the primary common season recreation on international soil in Tokyo in 1997, and when the NHL first went to China in 2017 for the NHL China Video games, Vancouver was the primary workforce on their listing.
The Canucks held coaching camp in Stockholm in 2000.
The NHL has returned to Sweden for normal season video games a number of occasions over the previous 15 years, however the Canucks have by no means been concerned — not even within the Sedins’ heyday.
It’s not all the way down to cash, both. When a workforce is chosen for an NHL-run occasion, they obtain compensation for the league shopping for out one among their house video games.
Commercial 6
Article content material
And when you’re inviting a workforce just like the Maple Leafs, meaning you’ve acquired an enormous finances.
Groups simply aren’t shedding cash on this occasion — from a advertising and marketing standpoint, it has potential to realize some new followers in a hockey-mad market.
On the finish of the day, you’re left with solely questions.
The Canucks do appear an ideal match. So what are we lacking?
Beneficial from Editorial
-
None
-
None
-
Canucks: Carson Soucy sidelined as much as eight weeks with leg damage
-
Canucks: Bo Horvat on returning to Vancouver streets: ‘I did not get beat up. Folks had been truly blissful’
Bookmark our web site and assist our journalism: Don’t miss the information you want to know — add VancouverSun.com and TheProvince.com to your bookmarks and join our newsletters right here.
You can too assist our journalism by turning into a digital subscriber: For simply $14 a month, you may get limitless, ad-lite entry to The Vancouver Solar, The Province, Nationwide Submit and 13 different Canadian information websites. Help us by subscribing at the moment: The Vancouver Solar | The Province.
Article content material
Feedback
Postmedia is dedicated to sustaining a full of life however civil discussion board for dialogue and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. Feedback could take as much as an hour for moderation earlier than showing on the positioning. We ask you to maintain your feedback related and respectful. We’ve got enabled electronic mail notifications—you’ll now obtain an electronic mail when you obtain a reply to your remark, there may be an replace to a remark thread you comply with or if a consumer you comply with feedback. Go to our Group Tips for extra data and particulars on methods to regulate your electronic mail settings.