Canucks Espresso: In easy reward of Nils Höglander

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There’s heaps occurring in Canuck-land, so right here’s a bit of dose for you on Nils Höglander and his fellow depth forwards.

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Höglander the motor

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You might have heard this story earlier than, so if that’s the case, allow us to inform it once more. And should you haven’t heard it earlier than, properly pay attention intently…

Nils Höglander, former Canucks scouting director Judd Brackett mentioned, has an unimaginable motor. He by no means stops transferring his ft. He’s additionally received an ideal set of fingers; he is aware of find out how to rating targets.

That’s a factor most younger gamers must be taught, however he already knew it. He knew that irrespective of what number of shifts he might need in a recreation, each shift wanted to be excessive vitality.

Now, within the NHL, his fourth season in North American hockey — how is it 4 seasons already — he’s lastly acknowledged find out how to make that high-energy environment friendly. He threw a giant centre-ice hit Friday in Seattle, knocking Brandon Tanev from the sport.

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And he scored a aim, a lovely wrist shot off his off-wing.

There was a time when individuals felt he wouldn’t end sufficient to show efficient as a diminutive fourth liner.

However right here he’s, with extra targets that Conoor McDavid, Nathan Mackinnon, Jack Hughes, Jason Robertson, Kirill Karpizov, Alex Ovechkin and Mitch Marner.

These are the celebrities of the sport.

Name Höglander a pocket battleship. He retains enjoying like this, the Canucks’ coaches received’t take him out of the lineup and the Canucks’ brass received’t look to commerce him.

Large day for Åman

Not solely did Nils Åman lastly play his first NHL recreation of the season, however he additionally received himself a brand new NHL deal.

He signed a two-year contract extension that averages US$825,000 per season, by means of 2026.

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Rick Tocchet is a giant fan of his defensive recreation and mentioned he was nice in Abbotsford.

Åman missed out on a roster spot popping out of coaching camp to Jack Studnicka, however will he be within the NHL now for the remainder of the best way? Between his coach praising him and the best way different depth forwards are scoring, it does appear like there’s area on the NHL roster for a quiet, no-nonsense centre who can skate however can’t actually rating.

Demko’s delight

Thatcher Demko continues to be a stable basis for this workforce.

They struggled a bit of on Friday to keep up management in their very own finish at instances, particularly within the second interval, however one factor was sure, Demko at all times noticed the shooters.

And when he sees the shooters, he’ll let you know he must be making the stops.

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The Kraken piled the strain within the second, however Demko by no means wavered.

And he hasn’t wavered as soon as this season.

So long as the Canucks maintain sustaining their defensive setting like they’ve to this point, they’ll maintain getting nice performances from their No. 1 goalie.

And that as a lot as something will inform the story of their playoff qualification and even perhaps their playoff success.

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